What brings this so close to home for me, is that my own son is 23, and also airborne infantry. I can't imagine the pain that any family would go through, having to wait and wonder for so many years. It's a parents worst nightmare: To not know what happened, and where your child might be. God Bless you, PFC Kight. Welcome home.

I remember when we lost a bunch of good men when Operation Eagle Claw went south in the desert. THAT mission had a whole slew of problems because the CinC insisted on being kept in the loop through the whole mission, essentially micro-managing it from start to finish. I despise the Dog-Eater in Chief. The military isn't there to run operations in order to raise your poll numbers and help you get re/elected. It's there to defend the Constitution and thereby the nation. Remember November.

The more I read of Yon, these past 3 years or so, the more I am convinced he's turning into the Colonel Kurtz character from Apocalypse Now. He's certainly go that Marlin Brando look going, and the writing and attitude is bang on as well. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&NR=1&v=LD0rU6-7sKs

A beautiful story about the final service for an extraordinary soul. Thank you, FBL, you've let us see through your eyes and it's a very moving read.

MY/Thailand: The Last Interview http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3T-VAi2Xqq8&feature=relmfu

Navigator, set a new course. First star to the right, and straight on 'till morning.

Hey Pinch, Wouldn't it be grand if the next CVN were to be named USS Carroll LeFon? It'd never happen of course. With this crew we have now it's more likely to be USS La Raza or USS Harry Reid. Jesus wept.

I'll say this much: That picture has, in effect, not changed since the first army was formed. Some poor dogface cooking his rations over an open flame and hoping like hell he gets the chance to finish cooking and eat them before some sh!t happens and forces him to fall in under arms. God Bless the PBI.

As a Navy veteran, I find this man's actions reprehensible. I simply cannot fathom how a man of this wretched stature could rise to the position of captain of a passenger ship. A ship with more than 4 thousand passengers aboard whose safety he was bound by law, tradition and morale leadership to protect. The most amazing part of this entire story is that he was originally hired as the safety officer of this same vessel! This man deserves more than prison. He deserves to be hanged from the highest point visible on the wreckage of his ship. When the ship is broken up, his remains should be dumped into the sea.

It is apparent, to me at least, that EFF is perfectly willing to support blogger's, as long as they are the "right sort of bloggers". They (the EFF) seem to be taking their cue from Holder's DOJ, who also are leading by example with their selective support for those they "like" and continued prosecutions of those who's political views they disagree with, regardless of what the law or SCOTUS says. EFF needs to make this right, and that right soon, or whatever remains of their credibility will look like the aftermath of an OWS encampment.

What a great post to start the New Year with! May we each and every one have a wonderful and prosperous New Year.

"They also serve, who only stand and wait" is a line from one of John Milton's poems. A sonnet, actually. It is one of my favorite poems where he asks God how he can be useful to Him because he is blind. Where others can do all these great things, Milton is limited and, thus, questions his worthiness in God's plan and his stature among men. Anyone who does their best, who puts in an honest effort to hold their own, has done their job. Any veteran who served, whether directing fire from a position on the front lines, or packing MRE's for shipment back stateside, is doing their part to ensure victory. There are no small parts, every job is important, and is there for a reason. A veteran is a veteran, and November 11th is there to recognize all of them. Here is Milton's poem, for those interested. It's one of my favorites. When I consider how my light is spent Ere half my days in this dark world and wide, And that one Talent which is death to hide Lodged with me useless, though my soul more bent To serve therewith my Maker, and present My true account, lest He returning chide, "Doth God exact day-labour, light denied?" I fondly ask. But Patience, to prevent That murmur, soon replies, "God doth not need Either man's work or his own gifts. Who best Bear his mild yoke, they serve him best. His state Is kingly: thousands at his bidding speed, And post o'er land and ocean without rest; They also serve who only stand and wait."

Deltabravo: It was about a year ago. He's still suffering some post-concussion effects and seeing the folks at the TBI clinic in Germany, where he's stationed. He's due to leave the service in about 3 months or so, though I've been suggesting he consider reenlisting or extending for a couple years since there isn't any jobs here, or anywhere near here. My worry is he gets bored and starts drinking with his old slacker buddies. He probably won't, but as his dad I can't help but worry, even though he's a man and proven himself. Could be worse. One of his friends just up the road from us earned a posthumous Silver Star in Afghanistan, and another lost the lower part of his left leg from an IED in Iraq.

I am more and more worried about England. I know a number of folks there, and to a person they have said that their worry is their own government not dealing with the Muslims. If the government doesn't crack down hard on this sort of islamist crap, they are convinced that England will descend into a bloody civil war.

My son is alive today because we aren't even playing the practice squad team. He was hurt, as was his crew, but the dipsticks watching his vehicle set off the IED a second too soon. He has become vastly unimpressed with Afghans in general, and the Taliban in particular. Myself, were I in a capacity to do so, I would at once pull out every single one of our troops from both Iraq & Afghanistan, and destroy absolutely everything we couldn't bring back with us. After that, I'd redeploy the lot of them along our border with Mexico and shut it down exfept for heavily monitored and controlled checkpoints. But that's just me. Other's mileage may vary. respects,

Just hang his sorry ass and be done with it. Freedom of the Press comes with responsibilities. Just because you CAN write about something doesn't mean you SHOULD. In fact, hang him and Julian Assange side by side. THAT would send all sorts of messages.

Maybe they could take out the General's good chair, and replace it with a toilet. THAT would seem appropriate in this case.

Indeed....... and when slow Joe is "mensatruating", he's positively unbearable. :)

The troops should have just stood up and walked out on him.

If this President had any sense of personal honor, of decency, he would resign and walk away. However, he doesn't. It's all about him. Facts, truths, people, sacrifice, it doesn't matter unless he can somehow profit by it. He is callous to his environment and there is no room in his heart for anyone or anything NOT named Obama. He complained about NOT being able to spend enough time with his children, then left for another 18 holes of golf. He laid a wreath at Arlington, then left for another 18 holes of golf. He cannot speak without a teleprompter. He cannot pronounce "corpsman". He wears "mommy jeans". He has been a national embarrassment since his election. Please, Mr President. Go back to Chicago. Hell. Even Slow Joe Biden is more worthy of the Presidency, even considering HIS faults. At least Biden knows how to buy a train ticket. I am physically ill reading this story.

But that's not the wurst of it..... "Listen, don't mention the war! I mentioned it once, but I think I got away with it all right. [returns to the Germans] So! It's all forgotten now, and let's hear no more about it. So, that's two egg mayonnaise, a prawn Goebbels, a Hermann Goering, and four Colditz salads."

Ya know, amazingly, sometimes this stuff just writes itself. I'd like to think that the leftists could find something new once in awhile, but sadly, they are so stuck in their 1917 Red Oktober mindset that even when you intentionally mock them they can't understand it. Sigh.

Thank you, LW. Good words for good men and women. I was planning to go out today for the local ceremonies, and to visit the graves of some special folks in the area, but illness confines me today. I'll just go later. This day is personal for me, as for so many others because of friends lost. It hurts when you lose them, but after awhile you get on with your life, as you should. It isn't until later on, as the years accumulate, that the meaning of that sacrifice comes into better focus, that you begin to understand and appreciate the gift they gave. God Bless them all, and let us find a way to live our lives so as to be worthy of their sacrifice.

Tupac is as dead as a guy in a leisure suit trying to pick up a chick at a Holiday Inn.

One of the most impressive airlines I've flown with is Air India. I loved their service and style. No hassles, they made you feel like a guest, and it was just a wonderful experience. I flew them from New York to London and back several times, and I will consider them if I have to go from the states overseas. Twice, when they learned I was a disabled US veteran (it came up in conversation with a stewardess) I was bumped up to 1st class. I never asked for it, but they insisted so I agreed. The 2nd best I've flown is Icelandic Air. Again, totally professional crew and wonderful service. Dor a small airline and nation, they are a good value.