Funeral Arrangements for CDR Duane Wolfe USNR

From the Lompoc Record - A memorial service for Navy Cmdr. Duane G. Wolfe will take place at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Camp San Luis Obispo’s Perlee Theater, officials announced Saturday.

The 54-year-old Los Osos resident, who worked 24 years as a civilian employee at Vandenberg Air Force Base, died in Iraq on May 25. Vandenberg’s 30th Mission Support Group deputy commander was in Iraq as a member of the Naval Reserves.

A graveside service at Los Osos Valley Memorial Park will immediately follow the memorial.
Officials reportedly are expecting up to 600 people for the service, and Vandenberg’s 30th

Mission Support Group will send at least two buses of airmen to the service, according to Lt. Raymond Geoffroy, a Vandenberg spokesman.

“We’re working out the logistics of it,” he added Saturday afternoon.

Wolfe, a 32-year Los Osos resident who deployed from Port Hueneme in Ventura County, was assigned to the Army Corps of Engineers’ Gulf Region Division in Iraq when his vehicle was hit by an improvised explosive device.

He died during a trip to visit construction projects, including a water treatment plant, in the Fallujah area, military officials said. Wolfe led a team that oversaw nearly $300 million in planned and ongoing construction projects, many of which are providing essential services to the Iraqi people, the military said.


“My family would like to thank the local community for their thoughts and prayers during this tragic time in our life,” said his wife, Cindi Wolfe. “It is amazing to see how many lives my husband touched on a daily basis.”

Wolfe began his military career with the Navy in 1972 and served on active duty for five years. In 1978, he joined the Navy Reserves and served until his death. His rank of commander is the equivalent of lieutenant colonel in the Air Force.

He began working at Vandenberg in 1985 as a civil engineer, and later joined the environmental division. In 2005, he became the 30th Mission Support Group’s deputy group commander.

He arrived in Iraq in December for the six-month assignment.On Thursday in Iraq, his colleagues there held a memorial service to honor Wolfe and two others killed by the roadside bomb.

Military officials said Wolfe will posthumously receive the Bronze Star with "V" Device for Valor; Purple Heart; Navy Combat Action Ribbon; National Defense Service Medal with Service Star; Iraqi Campaign Medal; and others.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to be made to Parents Helping Parents Family Resource Center, two lending libraries with books, videos and audio tapes on a wide variety of parenting and special needs topics. The San Luis Obispo organization can be reached at 549-8148.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Related posts are -
Godspeed CDr Wolfe
and
CDR Wolfe Remembered By Family & Colleagues in Iraq
~~~~~~
I didn't use the title of the actual article of the Lompoc record article because I felt it was inappropriate to characterize CDR Wolfe as a "victim".

Funniest Email Of The Day

So I write about David O. Stewart's upcoming lecture and book signing at the Old South Meeting House here.

But I had to throw up this post script. It's an email I got this morning from Mr. Stewart -

Please introduce yourself there -- I look forward to meeting you.
Best,
David

LOL! Clearly he has never met me. who thinks I need encouragement or prompting to walk up to a perfect stranger and introduce myself? Jen burst out laughing over breakfast.

Go Over To The Yankee Sailor & Have Him Explain This

Yankee Sailor has the explanation for this.

Fun, Carbs, Laughs, I'm Exhausted

I was a bad girl.

I saw it coming.

There are always great desserts at Kathy's parties.

Her daughter-in-law made something - I don't know, it was chocolate covered in chocolate, sprinkled with chocolate.....I was lost.

I got enough questions in trivia contest.....lol after all one of the answers was "Jim's goddaughter" and I waved my arms and said "What is ME?" LOL

On the way home we were listening to the Andelman brothers on WTKK. They were breaking balls on the station manager about the useless news updates. They claim, and I agree that no one listens to that show for the news updates. Even more ridiculous is that in this age of the Internet, no one is waiting for the radio station to give them stock/financial updates at 14 past the hour.

They asked listeners to call in with their own useless updates. I called in.

"Ok Maggie, what can you give updates on?"

I told them "I have a two-fer! History and maritime updates. This Thursday, June 4th we are observing the 67th anniversary of the Battle of Midway in the Charlestown Navy Yard."

"Is there theme music for your updates? You need a theme?"

"I will sing Anchors Aweigh! Come on, it's important for your listeners to come on down at 11 am on Thursday June 4th to the Navy Yard and join with us at the Cassin Young."

"Yeah, yeah, Maggie you got your plug in." they laughed. Then another said "Is her nickname 'Old Ironsides'?"

Fine, make a joke.....I got my plug in! And in return, I will plug their thing. The Andelmans do a great service and run a big fundraiser for the "Joey Fund" to find a cure for Cystic Fibrosis. Tomorrow is the "Hot Dog Safari" if you are in the area....you should go.

So I talked Jen into Lobster Hut. Mmmmmmm, fried haddock and onion rings on the Plymouth waterfront on a perfect summer evening. Jen had the clams.

OK, I Have To Get Off The Computer

Today is a family event - "JIMPARDY" My uncle Jim is turning eighty. His family has come up with a cute party idea. There will be a cook-out, listening to the oldies and a spirited game of "Jimpardy" which will be trivia about the man of the hour! Jen was talking about grilling my father on the way to the party to get a leg up on the questions.....now that's competitive! Admission is scratch tickets.

So I have to get cracking! Email is read. Some stuff is up here on the blog. Tweets have been sent - I am addicted.

I am headed to the shower.

Miss me!

AHHHHH! Big Guilt Trip!

Over at USNI blog Jim Dolbow is writing about his upcoming blogging adventure.

AFSOUTH set to begin Operation Southern Partner
From the 12th Air Force:

DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. — More than 60 Airmen from across the Air Force are preparing to board a C-130J Hercules on Saturday, 30 May to participate in the second iteration of “Operation Southern Partner” in seven Caribbean and Latin American nations. The Twelfth Air Force (Air Forces Southern)-led event is aimed at providing intensive, periodic subject matter exchanges with partner nation Air Forces in the US Southern Command area of focus.

I will be spending five days live blogging about Operation Southern Partner beginning 8 June 2009. Many thanks to Captain Nathan Broshear, USAF, 12th Air Force PAO for making this happen.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
I met CAPT Broshear, USAF at the Milbloggers Conference and I haven't blogged about it or even given him a shout-out. Mea culpa.

Helping Hands (Navy)

Avideo from Great Americans about the USNavy's humanitarian missions.

Helping Hands (Navy)

Shared via AddThis

Because The Great & Powerful Princess Crabby Commands It?

LOL! I love my illusions!
~~~~~~~
I was reading about an author a few months ago - David O. Stewart. His latest book is "Impeached" the story of Andrew Johnson's impeachment trial in 1868. I followed the link to his web page. I looked up his book tour. Boston was not on the schedule.

Que?

I emailed him
Subject: Your Book Tour
How can you skip Boston?
Maggie

He answered -
I hope to be in Boston in the second week of June -- any ideas for places to speak?
Best,
David Stewart
~~~~~~~~~
Seriously? Do I have ideas? LOL!
David,

Of course I have ideas! LOL I am a member of the Bostonian Society. They maintain the Old State House, a beautiful historical building in Boston (the site of the Boston Massacre). You should speak there.

Lectures are given in the upstairs hall. This is the same room where James Otis argued against the British Writs of Assistance.

Contact Adele Barbato, she is the office manager. 617-720-1713.

If that's not possible there is the Rabb lecture hall at the Boston Public Library (617-536-5400). Or the Old South Meetinghouse (617-482-6439).

I have also attended author events at the Harvard Bookstore and Harvard Coop. However they are not in Boston, they are in Cambridge.
Maggie
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Today I got my "The Old South Meeting House e-DIAL" and guess who is speaking and signing books on June 15th?????

LOL!

Follow @TheBloggess Aboard USS Nimitz

The Bloggess is one of several bloggers on a Navy embark aboard USS Nimitz.

This is her last post before leaving and I find her highly amusing.

She is Twittering her trip and you can follow @TheBloggess.

Another good follow is @USSNimitz who is twittering @TheBloggess and the other bloggers who I will find and post here.

Jennifer Leo @JenLeo is also aboard USS Nimitz

Hack Holidays

This video is hilarious! Let me know if you need a translator, I'll try and help you out.

At the State House, no surrender on Bunker Hill Day, Evacuation Day

By Andrew Ryan, Globe Staff


The recent assault on the traditions of Suffolk County did not spill blood like the Battle of Bunker Hill or require the cunning that forced the redcoats out of Boston without a shot in 1776.But it was an assault nonetheless, taking aim at Bunker Hill Day and Evacuation Day. A budget amendment in the state Senate threatened to nix the two only-in-Suffolk County holidays, which have been enjoyed by public employees since the Great Depression -- and cost the state several million dollars.


Then a defender from South Boston stood tall on the Senate floor.


"If we eliminate these holidays today in Suffolk County, then what's next?" asked Senator Jack Hart, a Democrat, during last week's budget debate. "Do we eliminate maybe Presidents Day? Do we eliminate July Fourth? Why don't we get rid of Thanksgiving? Why don't we think about getting rid of Christmas?"

The backers of the amendment, who goaded their opponents into such hyperbole, shot back with sarcasm and a fake Irish brogue, mocking Hart and his annual St. Patrick's Day breakfast, which coincides with Evacuation Day on March 17.

"Christmas is for the children," said Senator Michael R. Knapik, a Westfield Republican. "We are not going to take the holidays away from the children, please. But the holidays for the hacks?
Yes, the holidays for the hacks need to go."

But the holidays did not go. The amendment failed by five votes.

That means on June 17, Bunker Hill Day, all schools, libraries, and city and state offices will remain closed in Suffolk County. The same will be true next Evacuation Day, giving an estimated 35,000 workers the day off, according to a rough tally complied with the help of the Boston Municipal Research Bureau and the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation.

Public employees outside of Suffolk County also benefit from the holidays with two floating days off. Both occasions combined cost the state roughly $5 million in lost time and overtime to fill shifts, according to Knapik. The proposal to kill the holidays, put forward by the Republican caucus, was one of more than 700 amendments tacked onto the $27.35 billion budget eventually passed by the Senate. In the flurry of yeas and nays, a spirited debate over the holidays on May 21 stretched for 16 minutes. Knapik launched the first salvo.

"These two holidays drive me up a wall, Suffolk-only holidays," Knapik said. "As if it's that special of a county that we should all bow in reverence to it."
Hart shot back what began as a misfire.

"In my district, St. Patrick's Day is a very important amendment," Hart said, making perhaps a subconscious slip when referring to Evacuation Day. The Democrat quickly righted his argument, however, seamlessly blending Boston's Irish roots and the holiday commemorating when the Continental Army hauled 50 cannons up Dorchester Heights and surprised the British.

"We're talking about where this republic began," said Hart, whose district includes Dorchester Heights. "Let's not be expedient here for the sake of saving a couple of dollars."

In Knapik's retort, he compared Hart to the Pulitzer Prize-winning author David McCullough.
"He weaves these great tales of the Irish and Boston and all the glories of days gone by," Knapik said in a put-on brogue. "But when you leave Suffolk County, the history ends."

That gave Hart an opening to take aim at Knapik's district in the western part of the state.
"I don't know what kind of history you have outside in Hamden and Hampshire [counties], but we have real history here in the city," Hart said, adding: "We have great history here in Suffolk County, and we are not afraid to celebrate it."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Come on, Senator Hart! Give it up. This is a waste of taxpayer money. For pity's sake they shut out the lights on the Bunker Hill/Zakim bridge to save but a fraction of the money wasted on hack holidays. People who work in the private sector are tightening their belts......do the same.

CDR Wolfe Remembered By Family & Colleagues in Iraq

****Memorial Service details here****Another post here.*****
This is a great write up and I highly recommend that you follow the link to see the pictures and this moving video -

Commander Duane Wolfe remembered by family and by colleagues in Iraq
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Reported by: Stacy Daniel

The family of a hometown hero from Los Osos speaks out about a man who gave his life for his country.

54-year-old Naval Commander Duane Wolfe was killed in action on Memorial Day.

The civilian leader at Vandenberg Air Force Base was in Iraq supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. On Monday, Wolfe and two other servicemen died after being hit by an IED, southeast of Fallujah. Commander Wolfe was due to retire and return home to Los Osos in two months.
Commander Duane Wolfe was a man who loved his family and his country. He served both of them proudly.

"Until you come home to your childhood home and realize that something is missing, it's not real until you see you're family and realize that a part of it's missing, it's doesn't set in," said Katie Wolfe, the daughter of fallen Los Osos serviceman Commander Duane Wolfe.

An American hero known simply by some as "dad." Commander Duane Wolfe volunteered for a six-month tour of duty in Iraq, on Memorial Day he was killed by a roadside bomb.

Daughter Carrie Wolfe Smith said, "He was so selfless, obviously to do this when he wasn't required to go, but his biggest fear was to not go and to not do something that he'd sent others to do."

A lifelong military man, Commander Wolfe joined the Navy at age 17. Shortly after, he met and married his wife, Cindi. She said, "We met when were only 19. What do you know at 19? You know? And boy, I really lucked out in the husband department there for 34 years."

Set to retire and return home in just two months, Commander Wolfe's death has devastated his family.

Evan Wolfe, the Commander's only son said, "I just waited for myself to wake up because I thought it was a bad dream."

The family says sharing the story of their fallen hero makes it easier to cope with their loss.

Wolfe's wife Cindy said, "Sharing the things and the tears and the pain and the memories of him are such a comfort and such a strength that, until I can stand on my own again I draw that from the love of the community."

Commander Duane Wolfe: husband, father and hero to all.

The Wolfe family says the outpouring of love and support they have received from the community is helping them through this difficult time. They say Duane Wolfe was always their hero and now he is one of America's heroes.

The Wolfe family is planning a memorial service here at home. They are having trouble finding a place large enough to handle all the people who want to pay their respects to the fallen hero.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Reported by: Carina Corral
During a memorial service held Tuesday in Baghdad, Commander Duane Wolfe's name was called out as part of a traditional "last roll call."

Commander Wolfe was killed in the line of duty in Iraq on Monday. He was a civilian leader at Vandenberg Air Force Base and resident of Los Osos.

On display were Commander Wolfe's helmet and identification tags to signify the fallen warrior. His inverted rifle signals a break in action to pay tribute, and his combat boots represent his final march in battle.

Commander Wolfe was remembered as a man who served his nation with honor and devotion.

"Commander Wolfe earned the respect of everyone he served with, and he prevailed in the face of adversity with strength, determination and dignity," said Major General Michael Eyre.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I recommend going and watching the video and going to the story for all the pictures they have accompanying this story.

Fair winds and following seas, Commander.

God I Love Sailors!

I love their swagger. I love their attitude. Especially those forward leaning ones!

Taylor Kiland of the Navy Memorial thinks some of them might be interested in some of what I blog. I am going to guest post over there. You know, like stuff about where I will be on 04 JUN 2009, hehehehe!

You know I am big pimping on the Charlestown Navy Yard/USS Cassin Young/USS Constitution Battle of Midway anniversary observence. I got an email from someone who might bring their uncle who fought at Okinawa....I said "Yeah, bring him!"

So the first Lone Sailor Newsletter about my guest posting came out today. I can see traffic coming over from it.

Then I get an email -

Maggie
I was wondering how come no mention of a couple other famous ships from the bay state at the battleship cove that were built or home ported in Boston I too grew up a stones throw from the rope wharf (REVERE) I am a plank pwner on the U.S.S. Massachusetts BB59 aka "BIG MAMIE" Also the ole Joe Kennedy DD850 a Gearing class destroyer is there as is the lionfish a diesel sub from WW2 and 2 PT boats as well as many othe exhibits this june6 "BIG MAMIE" will holding her 63rd continually held crew member reunion no other ship can claim thatabout 50 60 original crew should be on hand it also has boy scout and school kid sleep overs on board it also has a jr Marine corp there and a ham station too"BIG MAMIE" thanks to the former crew members and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is in exlnt shape looks like she is in port for a visit rather than a musuem
thought I'd just put mt 2 cents worth in I just found abot you and you can bet I'll visit your page more often now
Bob C now of CA but my heart belongs in Massachusetts
For those that,Fought for it,Freedom has a taste and meaning,The protected will never know!

I love it! I replied -

I am being scolded! You would scold the fierce and powerful Princess Crabby???????????
LOL, I will put something up tonight my dear.
Maggie

So, I better get at it, huh?

What Kinda Hockey Fan Is Jen?

This kinda hockey fan


Seriously, you watch BU or the Bruins and this is the attitude. She sent me the link with the comment "You own this nursery is the best line ever". Jen is intense.....that's probably why she is SB's BFF.

One Week Until the Anniversary of The Battle of Midway

SJS has a series of posts at USNI blog, a whole collection of "Countdown to Midway" posts.

2009 Battle of Midway Anniversary Observances & Reunions

Countdown to Midway - Land-based Air (US)

Countdown to Midway: Battlespace

Countdown to Midway - IJN Carrier-based Air Order of Battle (AOB)

Countdown to Midway: 27 May 1942

Countdown to Midway: 28 May 1942

Countdown to Midway: 30 May 1942

Ok, get cracking. Then remember to find an observance near you. I've already told you where I'll be.

Introducing The Official Blog of the USCG

The Coast Guard Compass.

The Official Blog of the United States Coast Guard.

As opposed to the "Unofficial Coast Guard Blog" - CGBlog - which is good reading too.

As opposed to the blog by the Commandant.

Read them all!

Sail Boston '09

Sail Boston '09 has a website with lots of good information. It runs from July 8th to the 12th.

I will meander on down.....there are a lot of ships coming......but I must confess, the only one that interests me is USCG Eagle.

LOL! I guess I'm a little bit a chauvinist. "Yeah, that's nice. Where's the Coast Guard ship?"

Although the Roseway & the Liberty Clipper are homeported in Boston.

Godspeed CDR Wolfe

****Memorial Service details here.*****UPDATE - Another post here. Don't miss the video.*******

IA commander killed by bomb in Fallujah
By Andrew Scutro - Staff writer
Posted : Wednesday May 27, 2009 17:04:04 EDT

A Navy Reserve officer serving in Iraq as an individual augmentee died Monday after his convoy was hit by a roadside bomb outside Fallujah, the Defense Department announced Wednesday.
Cmdr. Duane G. Wolfe was 54. According to a spokeswoman at Naval Base Ventura County, Wolfe worked in civilian life at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., as the civilian deputy commander at the 30th Space Wing Mission Support Group. In Iraq, he was attached to the Army Corps of Engineers.

Two others were killed and two were wounded in the attack, although they were not identified in the news release.

Wolfe was the officer-in-charge of the Anbar area office, overseeing $300 million worth of construction projects in the formerly volatile province. Most projects were for local Iraqis, including “the first ever waste treatment facility for Fallujah,” according to the news release.
A former Seabee chief who signed up in 1972, Wolfe was commissioned in 1990 and was assigned to several California-based units in his career, as well as Naval Engineering Force, Korea.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
U.S. Navy commander serving in Iraq with Gulf Region Division killed by IED
Wednesday, 27 May 2009 GULF REGION DIVISION
News release #090527-1May 27, 2009

Baghdad, Iraq - The Department of Defense announced today that Navy Commander Duane G. Wolfe was killed May 25 when the vehicle he was traveling in near Fallujah was struck by an improvised explosive device. Cmdr. Wolfe was assigned to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Gulf Region Division in Iraq where he served as the Officer-in-Charge of the Al-Anbar Area Office, which is part of the division’s Gulf Region Central district.

Cmdr. Wolfe was an activated Navy Reserve Officer from Los Osos, Calif. His home Navy Reserve unit is Navy Operational Support Center, Port Hueneme, Calif. In addition, Cmdr. Wolfe was a Department of the Air Force civilian employee, working at Vandenberg Air Force Base.

“Commander Wolfe was an outstanding warrior, patriot, loving husband, and father of three,” said Maj. Gen. Michael Eyre, commander of the Gulf Region Division. “Monday’s attack has been a devastating loss and the entire GRD team is deeply saddened by this tragedy. We honor Commander Wolfe’s life and service to our country and our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and colleagues. Our thoughts and prayers are also with all of those impacted by this attack, the families of the two others killed and the two who were wounded.”

As the Officer-in-Charge of the Al-Anbar Area Office, Cmdr. Wolfe was responsible for 59 personnel including U.S. military, government civilians, and Iraqis who work at the area office and three geographically dispersed subordinate resident offices. His staff is responsible for overseeing nearly $300 million in planned and ongoing construction projects, many of which are providing essential services to the Iraqi people. Projects include the first-ever waste water treatment facility for Fallujah, a location command for the Iraqi Army, a judicial complex and a 132 kilovolt substation in Ramadi.

Commander Wolfe will posthumously receive the Bronze Star with “V” Device for Valor; Purple Heart; Combat Action Ribbon; National Defense Service Medal with Service Star; Iraqi Campaign Medal; Armed Forces Reserve Medal with “M” Device for Mobilization; Overseas Service Ribbon; and the Combat Action Badge.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Fair winds and following seas, CDR Wolfe.

Wow! I Needed This Giggle

Got an email and these people like my blog, lol. Guess they know the secret (ok, maybe it's not such a secret) bad girl in me.

Don't click on this link unless you are ready for something "not safe for work"....or "not for uptight people".

File under just for fun.

I Might Have To Start A Super Secret Blog

I am very stressed. I have no finger nails left. I can't talk about it here. Too many people really know who I am. Too many friends and relatives read what happens here.

My happy face is wearing down.

For Stella

Stella left a comment in this post.

"Stella by Starlight"... can I steal that one?"

Here you go - if we can't have Sergio, we can always count on Frank!

He Shoots! He Scores!

That crazy bastid Shippert had the line of the day on Twitter.

With all of Sonia Sotomayor's self-embrace of her richer experience as a Latino woman, if confirmed can I call her Justice SortaMyopic?

That about sums it up folks. What else would you call a woman who says -

“I would hope that a wise Latina woman with the richness of her experiences would more often than not reach a better conclusion [as a judge] than a white male who hasn’t lived that life.” — Judge Sonia Sotomayor, in her Judge Mario G. Olmos Law and Cultural Diversity Lecture at the University of California (Berkeley) School of Law in 2001

If You Can't Be In Boston......

....with me on Thursday morning, June 4th.....there are other Battle of Midway observences planned.

United States Navy Memorial

Battle of Midway

Events taking place at the Navy Memorial are listed below.

For more detailed information, read the International Midway Memorial Foundation's online newsletter.

2009 Battle of Midway Commemoration at the United States Navy Memorial
June 4, 2009 Free & open to the public

WWII Remains Are Being Lost In Race With Airplane Collectors.

On the way home from the USS Bunker Hill lecture, I was listening to "The World" on WGBH. Love that show! Even if I always fail the geo-quiz.

Relic collectors endanger WW II remains
An article in today's Boston Globe reveals that rescue teams trying to recover the remains of American pilots killed in the Second World War have some competition. World War II relic hunters are interested, not so much in soldier remains, but in the downed planes. Anchor Lisa Mullins speaks with Globe reporter Bryan Bender

There's audio embedded in the link above. Well worth the listen.

Here's a link to the Boston Globe story.

Danger's Hour - The Story of the USS Bunker Hill and the Kamikaze Pilot Who Crippled Her

I spent my Memorial Day afternoon enjoying a Kennedy Library Forum

"A Conversation with Max Kennedy"

In honor of Memorial Day, Max Kennedy, son of Ethel and the late Robert F. Kennedy, discusses his new book, Danger’s Hour: The Story of the USS Bunker Hill and the Kamikaze Pilot Who Crippled Her, with Brown University historian Ted Widmer. USS Bunker Hill (CV-17) was an Essex class aircraft carrier built at the Fore River Shipyard in Quincy, Massachusetts & commissioned in May 1943. I can't wait to dive in.

I bought two copies and had them autographed....I can't say anything more here, lol.

What more could Princess Crabby ask for on her Memorial Day? Sailors.....history.....a ship with ties to Charlestown. I enjoyed myself very much. There were Sailors, veterans, and a few who had actually served aboard USS Bunker Hill.

When the lecture was over and I had my books, I wandered out into the exhibit halls. Mounted on the wall near JFK's uniform was the AAR of the PT109 sinking. Of course I know this story so well because of my childhood in Charlestown. And I've been to the library before. But now with all my non-fiction reading and all my Sailors (in real life and online), I understood so much more. LOL It was like a new experience.

One thing that struck me as funny was how disoriented I was that Max Kennedy doesn't have a Boston accent. I know that he wasn't born or raised here. There is no reason for me to expect him to sound like me.....except for the fact that his last name is Kennedy.

The book has it's own website "Danger's Hour". The pics are from HyperWar.

Today at 1500 (3 PM) National Moment of Remembrence

Go to Blogs of War and read more about this.

National Moment of Remembrence

It's pretty simple though. Today, Memorial Day, at 3 pm local time.....stop....remember.

Their slogan - "One Nation, One Moment"

Inappropriate!

I am listening to POTUS speak after the wreath laying at Arlington.

It was going along fairly well. I was thinking "This is a good speech." "He is a good speaker."

I was wondering why I have such a hard time accepting that it might be sincere.

Then Obama the "Candidate" popped up and said something I found so inappropriate.

He said that we can rest assured that *he* will never send troops into an unnecessary or unjustified war.

Ok, that infers that others have. To point out that he won't is said to distinguish him from others who have.

I don't care how you feel about Iraq, Afghanistan, Vietnam or the Spanish American War. It is INAPPROPRIATE to stand among the graves of brave men and women and disparage the cause they fought for.

There is a time and a place for everything.

Arlington was NOT the place for that. Arlington is a sacred place. Check your politics at the gate.

NYC Fleet Week Coverage

The blog American Sheepdogs has a great post by Rich Davis.

Fleet Week 2009

There is commentary as well as some great pics. Seriously good pics....like maybe I should take him along on some of my adventures and you people wouldn't have to put up with my blurry pics. LOL

Didja Eva See A Guy So Happy At His Job?

This is a picture of my friend CDR Bullard, the commanding officer of USS Constitution in his period uniform.

I know he didn't know what to make of me the first time we met......but he came around!

CDR Bullard, his officers and crew will be joining with the staff of the USS Cassin Young to observe the 67th anniversary of the Battle of Midway on the morning of June 4th. If you can, you should join us.

Midway Commemoration - Charlestown Navy Yard

On Thursday morning 04 JUN 2009 all over the country there will be observances and commemorations of the Battle of Midway.

Here in Boston this anniversary will be observed in the Charlestown Navy Yard aboard USS Cassin Young (DD-793), a Fletcher Class destroyer that was decommissioned before I was born. When I was young and I would go aboard, I was sure it was the ship my father served aboard. Now of course I understand the he served aboard the USS Norris (DD-859), a Gearing class destroyer.....who knew I would be this much a Navy-nerd? LOL

Anyway, if you are in the area....or could be, you should join me. 11 am on Thursday June 4th.

However, if you are unable to, there are other observances and commemorations listed here.

2009 Battle of Midway Anniversary Observances & Reunions

Sailors At Souda Bay

SOUDA BAY, Greece (May 22, 2009)(May 22, 2009) Sailors open an American flag before a Naval Support Activity Souda Bay Memorial Day event. The day's activities included a personnel inspection, Memorial Day ceremony, and a command photo. (U.S. Navy photo by Paul Farley/Released)

A Little Redirect

It is very appropriate this weekend to send you back to Sippican Cottage to re-read his post -

"My Father Asks For Nothing"

Sergio Franchi

When I was a little girl, my father had an album of Sergio Franchi singing songs that were all woman's names. The title of the album was "Women In My Life"

Side 1:
1. Marta
2. Jennie
3. Laura
4. Sweet Georgia Brown
5. Maria
6. Hi-Lili, Hi Lo
Side 2:
1. Mimi
2. Diane
3. Gigi
4. Once In Love With Amy
5. Tammy
6. Stella By Starlight

I loved this album. My father would sing along - "Jennie" to Jennifer....."Gigi" to Grace and the one of these is my real name (Maggie is a high school nickname, long story). The other song he would sing to Jennifer was the Bobby Sherman song - that was better because my father didn't really care for nicknames.

Anyway, when Sergio Franchi sings "Maria" from West Side Story, he makes the hair stand up on the back of my neck. I just paid .99 to dowload it from Amazon and I have already played it a dozen times. I wish I knew how to upload it here.

Memorial Day

Have a BBQ.

Attend a party.

But try to fit in something meaningful this weekend.

If you are in or around Charlestown today you could pop into this -

CHARLESTOWN WORLD WAR II EXHIBITS

It's in City Square which is, of course, a hop, skip and a jump from the Charlestown Navy Yard and USS Constitution.

May 23, 1939 USS SQUALUS (SS-192)

From The United States Navy Experimental Diving Unit which is one of the newest entries in the Naval Blogosphere over on the right.

This Day in Diving History -- 23 MAY 2009

Excellent read.

@Huzzah70 (he of the neglected blog "Man O'War Brewery") points out on Twitter that Peter Maas wrote a book on this subject "The Terrible Hours" & that it is worth a read as well.

Naval graduates include Sen. McCains son, Jack

Naval graduates include Sen. McCains son, Jack

President Barack Obama congratulates Jack McCain, son of Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., as he graduates at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., Friday, May 22, 2009. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

*********

"I'm happy to say my son's grades are better, and he didn't have the demerits business that my husband did," Cindy McCain told The Associated Press in a phone interview. "He had demerits, but he didn't come through with quite so many as my husband did."
The McCain family declined to be interviewed Friday, but Jack's parents, Sen. McCain's mother, and all of Jack's siblings attended, except for his younger brother, James, who is on active duty in the Marine Corps. "They're both anxious to see each other so that Jack's brother has to salute him," Cindy McCain said.
A loud cheer erupted from the crowd of more then 30,000 at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium when McCain's name was called late Friday morning.

Read the whole article here.

Graduation Day At USNA

090522-N-0593C-034 ANNAPOLIS, Md. (May 22, 2008) Members of the U.S. Naval Academy Class of 2009 cheer as the Navy's Blue Angels flight demonstration team perform the traditional fly-over at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. President Barack Obama delivered the commencement address to more than 1,030 graduating Midshipmen, who were commissioned as Navy ensigns and Marine Corps 2nd lieutenants. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Michael Croft/Released)

090522-N-8395K-002 ANNAPOLIS, M.D. (May 22, 2009) A newly commissioned ensign celebrates after receiving his diploma from Capt. Matthew Klunder, U.S. Naval Academy Commandant of Midshipmen, at the U.S. Naval Academy during the graduation and commissioning ceremony for the Class of 2009. This year's class graduated 785 ensigns and 233 Marine Corps 2nd lieutenants in front of an audience of 27,000 at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. (U.S. Navy photo by Gin Kai/Released)

Hotel Tango @NavyNews on Twitter

Definition of A Failed State

Back when SB was doing the College of Distance Education thing at the NWC, I used to read along with whatever open source material was available. I remember reading the definition of a failed state during the Joint Maritime Operations (JMO) phase.

An important criteria was "failure to control it's borders".

Say what you will about immigration laws and illegal immigration. Argue about the effects on our economy, justice system and social support system.

But all that aside...........

The United States must control it's borders.

Go watch the vid over at the Castle.

FLight 93 Blogburst

Two Memorial Project Commission members quit over the Project’s bad behavior



Two Pennsylvanian’s quit the Flight 93 Memorial Commission last week, protesting Park Service plans to condemn five crash-site properties that it never negotiated for in good faith. Consider the case of the Lambert family, who have been on their land for three generations:

"It's absolutely a surprise. I'm shocked by it. I'm disappointed by it," said Tim Lambert, who owns nearly 164 acres that his grandfather bought in the 1930s. The park service plans to condemn two parcels totaling about five acres — land, he said, he had always intended to donate for the memorial.

"To the best of my knowledge and my lawyer, absolutely no negotiations have taken place with the park service where we've sat down and discussed this," Lambert said.

Lambert said he had mainly dealt with the Families of Flight 93 and said he's provided the group all the information it's asked for, including an appraisal.

They are condemning land that he was trying to GIVE to them, just because he had the gall to expect the Park Service to actually do its part.

Project members have embraced the “absolute moral authority” conceit

How dare anyone not rush to give these grieving 9/11 family members whatever they want? Didn’t they hear Maureen Dowd’s proclamation that “the moral authority of parents who bury children killed in Iraq [or on 9/11] is absolute”?

When crash-site owner Mike Svonavec put up a donation box to try to cover some of the cost of hiring security guards for the hugely popular Temporary Memorial, Patrick White, cousin of Flight 93 hero Louis Nacke, told the press:

That land has been paid for with 40 lives ... the donation box is an insult to that cost.

When Svonavec insisted that the Park Service follow its own legally required procedures for assessing property values (procedures that, as it happens, take into account current property values, not just pre-crash property values), White accused Svonavec of trying to profit from the blood of his cousin:

"I think Svonavec believes his land, because it has the blood of my cousin and 39 other people, it's worth more," he said.

Using the flag of victim-hood to defend Paul Murdoch’s terrorist memorial mosque

Project members use the same trick to deflect criticism of the giant Islamic-shaped crescent that is now being built on the crash-site. When people point out the hidden terrorist memorializing features—things that no one knew about when the Crescent of Embrace design was chosen—like the Mecca-orientation of the giant crescent, or the 44 glass blocks emplaced along the flight path, Project members not only deny these easy to verify facts, but they pretend that they are being accused of intending to honor the terrorists:

“That’s an absolute, unequivocal fabrication that is being portrayed as fact,” said Edward Felt’s brother, Gordon Felt [about the 44 blocks claim].

He says he is insulted people would believe he would participate in anything that honored his brother's killers.

In The Church of Liberalism, Ann Coulter slammed the media for granting the Jersey Girls an “absolute moral authority” card, not questioning the Girls’ practice of blaming the Bush administration instead of al Qaeda for their husband's deaths on 9/11. The Jersey Girls were bad enough, but nowhere is the flag of victim-hood being used to cover up more bad behavior than at the Memorial Project.

Active cover-up of an ongoing Islamic supremacist plot

Like the Jersey Girls, the Memorial Project gives Islam a pass for 9/11. Project members might not have known about the Mecca-orientation of the Crescent of Embrace, but they DID know that it was a giant Islamic-shaped crescent. Now they are doing far worse. Now they DO know that the giant crescent points almost exactly at Mecca , and are consistently misleading the press about it.

Their own Muslim consultant told them not to worry about the Mecca-oriented crescent, claiming that it can’t be seen as a mihrab (the Mecca-direction indicator around which every mosque is built) unless it points EXACTLY at Mecca (a claim that was contradicted earlier this month by Saudi religious authorities).

So what does Project Supervisor Joanne Hanley say when asked about the Mecca-orientation claim?

The only thing that orients the memorial is the crash site.

They are actively and knowingly covering up clear evidence of an ongoing al Qaeda sympathizing plot. Bad behavior indeed.

To join our blogbursts, just send your blog's url.

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Fleet Week NYC 2009

090520-N-8907D-269 NEW YORK (May 20, 2009) The guided-missile cruiser USS Vella Gulf (CG 72) transits the Hudson River during the Parade of Ships as part of Fleet Week New York City 2009. Approximately 3,000 Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsman will participate in the 22nd commemoration of Fleet Week New York. This event will provide the citizens of New York City and surrounding tri-state area an opportunity to meet service members and also see the latest capabilities of today's maritime services. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class David Danals/Released)

H/T @NavyNews on Twitter

Panic Attack! Locked Out Of Twitter

****UPDATE - I've got it back! LOL That was awful. I got Twitter back, then it took a little longer to get back TweetDeck. All my saved "Replies" and "Direct Messages" on TweetDeck are gone. But I can deal with that.****

I've already admitted to my addiction......now I am jonesing!

I got an email saying that I needed to change my password because of some phishing attack. I didn't follow the link in the email in case this was a phishing attack.............lol. So I went in through my bookmarks and changed my password. But I had TweetDeck open. Worlds collided.

Now I can't get into either because of failed attempts.

Locked out!We've temporarily locked your account after too many failed attempts to sign in. Please chillax for a few, then try again.

WTF is "chillax"?

Thank You Dick Cheney

Full text of Cheney's speech at American Enterprise Institute

Listened to it live and I loved it. Dick Cheney - saying what needs to be said.

There is discussion at the Castle.

Sweet Dreams.....Or Not!

Something unsettling before I head off to bed.

Say Hello to Ashura

Yeah, thanks SJS.

And .....We Have A Winnah!!!

*****22 MAY 0031 - OK, so I made it through this....and now I have to go to bed. I sent off an email noting how the CNO Pool would have gone a little differently if I had read this first.******

Of all the stuff I just told you that I have to read, Galrahn just put up something that rockets to the top of the list.

What Does a Duck Look Like? Naval Flag Officers in 2002

You see it's from a prominent member of Princess Crabby's Navy Coterie........CDR Michael Junge.

I have to go back to the gym. Not just because I ate those foolish chicken fingers, but because the recumbent bike gives me uninterrupted reading time.

But ADM Allen's Coast Guard Publication 1 is a close second.

Because ADM Allen Asked

When I sit down to blog and read email, I also open up the TweetDeck. One of the first Tweets I see is from ADM Allen USCG.

"Curious about first reaction to new Pub 1 http://ow.ly/8b89. A bit long, but a quick read"
about 5 hours ago from HootSuite

So I go over and watch the vid and tomorow I will download the actual document.

So.......go............read it..........and give my friend ADM Allen your feedback.

@iCommandantUSCG

Speaking Of All the Stuff I Have To Read

I am drowning in reading material here! LOL

Galrahn has me reading social media stuff. And all the Twitters I have picked up from tweeting about social media have piled on more stuff.

Nevermind what I already have. I have Barnett, and I am attempting "Two Ocean War" by Morison. If I am successful with that, I am supposed to try "War Plan Orange"

And let me tell you - @Roger_Pociask is KILLING me! I told him that I had too much stuff to read and even though his stuff about Africom seems very intersting - if I start reading about one more thing, my head would explode. So, does he stop? No, he piles it on! I sent another Tweet "You don't like me very much do you?" LOL I have the account set so that direct messages send an alert to my cell phone. So at 0748 my pillow buzzes, yes, I sleep with the cell under my pillow. It's @Roger_Pociask with a direct message about AMB Yates and VADM Moeller in Nigeria. So the first thing on my mind this morning was Roger, Africom, AMB Yates....hope he's happy.

Oink

I fell off Atkins and was a piglet tonight. Jen & I went to the Randolph Lux tonight to see "Angels & Demons". Have you been? It's a great venue to see a movie in. Although I am fond of IMAX for movies with special effects, the Lux is the best all around experience. They've ripped out the back rows of a regular theater and sectioned it off. Then they installed big, wide cushy chairs with tray tables. The seats are spaced a short distance apart. So noise is much less of a problem. You already know what a movie-nazi I am, lol.

Anyway, it's an over 21 section and they serve adult beverages and food. They have chicken fingers and there is Captain Crunch in the batter, lol. It's sweet and crunchy and TOTALLY bad for me. I had popcorn, M&Ms and Coke. All that sugar....it's like heroin to me. I get a total rush when it surges through me, lol!!!

So we get there in plenty of time to catch previews. Jen & I are cinephiles, we love everything about the movies. We show up for previews. We stay for credits. The first preview is for the second "Transformers" movie. I'm not interested, so I get settled and peruse the menu. I don't know why because I already know I am getting the chicken. The next preview is for the remake of "The Taking of The Pelham 123". I lean over to Jen and say that this is a remake of a movie from the early 70's with Walter Matthau. We both make a face and giggle. We don't think that much of him. She asks if it was good and I said "Yeah, it's a classic, I think." She looks at me quizzically. I laugh - here is the upside of all the drugs I am taking and all the brain damage I have suffered since chemo and cancer and pain killers........I can't remember this movie. I know I saw it. I think I was with my father, helluva guess, I know. But seriously. I can see Matthau, he was a cop. And I knew that someone takes the train hostage. But....that's it.

So, our movie starts. I wasn't that crazy about "The DaVinci Code". I thought the book was ok. It didn't change how I feel about my faith. As a matter of fact, I thought it was a lot of nonsense. Despite the fact that people tell you that Catholics don't actually read the Bible; they are wrong. I own and have read my Bible. I am actually reading it again along with HomeFront Six and her group - although I am woefully behind.....not my fault - other people keep sending me stuff to read. Anyway, I thought the movie was even more of a disappointment because I thought Hanks was totally miscast. Langdon is supposed to be a dashing heartthrob college professor. Hanks with his pasty skin and greasy hair didn't fit the bill. But this time he looked a lot better. Seemed more fit and they fixed his hair. Still not dashing, but he looked a lot better. Plus, both Jennifer and I like this book much better.

The verdict - two thumbs up. Although, it was impossible for Jen not to like it. All through the movie, they would show Rome and Jen would sigh. She was in Rome a few years ago and as soon as we win the lottery, she is on the first plane back.

Again, my brain damage came in handy, I was still in a little suspense even though I had read the book.....lol! Gotta look on the bright side, I suppose....now where are those "oxy"s????

Last Night's Hingham Selectman's Meeting

As referenced here, the Town of Hingham has a new school and there is some controversy about the naming of the new building. According to a story in the Boston Herald, one name put up for consideration is MOH recipient, Seaman Herbert L. Foss. Yet in two articles from the Patriot Ledger, there is no mention of Foss' name outside of the comments.

Hingham Residents Upset About Naming of School

New School Named for Hingham School Superintendent

Why is that?

Looking For A Way To Say Thanks?

You should be. After all, it's nearly Memorial Day. You should be looking for a way to express your gratitude to those who have fought for the freedom you enjoy.

Mrs. K of The K Spot has a suggestion.

Cell Phones for Soldiers

This program has been going on for a while, but it bears repeating.

Here's a cartoon I got in my email this morning for WereKitten's favorite snuggle.

Seaman Herbert L. Foss, MOH Recipient

Not far from where I live there is a grave marking the final resting place of Seaman Herbert Lewis Foss, Medal of Honor recipient.The Town of Hingham's Veteran's Services has a bio of Seaman Foss here. You can read his MOH citation here.An exerpt from an October, 2007 ceremony honoring Seaman Foss, Hingham - Veterans Agent Michael Cunningham read the following (in part) -

He enlisted in the United States Navy on Jan. 31, 1897, 16 months before the United States would officially enter the Spanish American War. He was assigned as a seaman on the light cruiser USS Marblehead, and on May 11, 1898, Seaman Foss and his shipmates, while engaging the enemy off the northwest coast of Cuba, snared the main communications cable; pulled it over the bow of their boat, and with great difficulty, and while under intense enemy fire, somehow managed to sever the cable. Seaman Foss actually finished the job with a simple hacksaw. Many of his shipmates were killed or wounded during this action, but they had successfully disrupted communications between Cuba and Spain.USS Marblehead (C-11)"Stripped for battle" in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, circa June-July 1898

Do You Live In Hingham, Massachusetts?

Then you need to be at the Selectman's meeting tonight.

They will be addressing the matter of honoring MOH recipient Seaman Herbert Lewis Foss.

Here's the story from the Herald

Hingham misfires with snub of military hero

Get down there and make your voice heard!

An Alert From The Castle of Argghhh!!!

I could tell you that I am faithfully reporting this from The Castle's H&I Fires as a good denizen.....but really, I am just lazy, so I am doing a cut and paste.

The Warrior Legacy Foundation has launched.

Mud in the eye of groups like Winter Soldier.

The Warrior Legacy Foundation protects and promotes the reputation and
dignity of every American veteran.

The mission statement:

I. Defend the
Defenders(through advocacy and policy influence, we will enhance our warriors
ability to fight and win)

II. Care for the Wounded (we will never stop fighting
for dignified and complete care of our wounded troops)

III. Honor the
Sacrifices(we will never forget the Fallen and we will honor the sacrifices made
by military families)

Here's why. More at Blackfive. -the Armorer

Senior Chief Tripp - Going Ashore!

Saturday evening I had the pleasure of attending BMCS Tripp's retirement ceremony. The ceremony was held on the pier next to USS Constitution. I had heard about this through the Navy grapevine and emailed the "Senior Boats" and asked to be invited.

My goddaughter Deb (my ace shutterbug) and I headed over to the Charlestown Navy Yard on a perfect May evening. We left her graduation party to do it and I appreciate that Deb. They were expecting around 75 people. Chairs were set up so that Old Ironsides was the backdrop to the platform for the speakers. There was a small Navy ensemble playing as we arrived.

Deb and I chose our seats and watched the last minute preparations. We observed a young blond woman pulling everything together. Later we learned that was the Senior Chief's wife. She is also in the Navy. Both Deb and I were impressed with how calmly she was pulling this together.

Technical difficulties with the sound system pushed us back to 1830, but it was very pleasant sitting there in the Navy Yard. Deb and I chatted up our seatmates. Deb was sitting next to a Midshipman from the Naval Academy. Very interesting conversation. She was scheduled to take part in the ceremony and her father was one of the speakers as well. A friend of CDR Bullard's and his wife were seated in front of us. So it actually turned out that I knew someone there! LOL

It started off with the arrival of the official party - LCDR Chadwick, CAPT Broz (father of the Midn) and BMCS Tripp. All resplendent in summer whites. If you read this blog, you know how I feel about summer whites, lol. They passed through the side boys and climbed onto the speaker's platform.

After the invocation, we all faced the flag flying from the stern of the oldest commissioned ship in the United States Navy for the National Anthem. You can not help but feel the history. You can not help but pause for a moment and think of all those who have stood before you in that very position.

The first speaker was BMCS Tripp's commanding officer LCDR Chadwick. He spoke without notes and without the mic. What a funny guy. Clearly, he thought highly of the Senior Chief and his wife as well. He also tossed out the requisite barbs at Boatswains Mates. You see, while there is rivalry between all of the Navy and the other branches of the military, there is also rivalry within the Navy. My own father was a QM2 and he zings SB who was a Bosun's Mate before he became on officer.

Next up was CAPT Broz who again walked the line between honoring and roasting the man of the hour. As for the roasting, let me just say, there are some things that once they are seen.....can not be unseen!

Finally it was time for the man himself to get up and speak. And he did a great job. He showed himself to be a thoughtful husband, son and father and clearly a Sailor who loved the Navy. Not to mention a very good sport!

Tom of NavyCS told me to pay special attention to the Flag Passing Ceremony. He was right, it was something to see. I don't know if it's the norm, but the Tripp boys we part of it and did a fine job with it. Their parents should be very proud of them.

The ceremony concluded with BMCS Tripp asking permission to go ashore and once it's granted he exits through other Chiefs forming the side boys. It must be a bittersweet moment. Leaving the service after 25 years, and clearly he loved his time in the Navy. But knowing you gave your best and that's why these people have showed up in your honor.

After he walked through the side boys, Senior Chief Tripp walked a little further than was expected and there was some laughter that he was going to keep on going. But I wonder if that wasn't his way of taking a moment to absorb it all before turning around to face us as BMCS Tripp, USN (ret) for the first time.

It was a great time and I enjoyed the people I met. But none more-so than CAPT Broz's wife Jane. It's funny how some people just immediately strike you and you can't explain it. But I just really liked Jane Broz. We only spoke briefly. I spoke more to her daughter about Annapolis and Jane spoke more to Debbie, but she really made an impression. I didn't get to meet CAPT Broz, but he is one lucky guy.

Afterwards Deb and I went up to Traci Tripp and I introduced myself and thanked her for letting us attend. She was very gracious and invited us to attend to party at the Coast Guard station. Unfortunately, I explained we had ducked out of Debbie's party and had to get back. But I wish I had, there were several people I wouldn't have minded chatting up. I tried to get introduced to CAPT Martin USCG, but he disappeared quickly.

BMCS Tripp, I wish you every good thing in this next chapter of your life. I am confident of your future success after meeting your wife Traci who pulled together this event for you while being a mother to your five children and serving her country in the US Navy.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
There will be pics, as soon as I figure out how to open the file Deb sent me.

Quick-thinking Dubai captain foils pirate attack

Quick-thinking Dubai captain foils pirate attack

By Mahmood Saberi, Senior Reporter

Published: May 18, 2009, 18:17

Dubai: The Dubai-based Emarat Maritime has praised the master of oil tanker Dubai Princess saying that his evasive actions helped foil an attack by Somali pirates in the Gulf of Aden on Sunday.

Captain Syed M. A. Naqvi of the 115,485 dwt (dead weight tonne) tanker increased speed to the maximum and repeatedly changed course when six pirates armed with machine guns and a rocket launcher tried to board the vessel, said Jitendra Misra, Managing Director of the company.

Naqvi also ordered the launch of two rocket parachutes at the pirates as it gained ground. The tanker owners said the pirates made many unsuccessful attempts at boarding the tanker and slipped away as a coalition warship came near. They said that a second pirate skiff also joined the attack but gave up chase when a coalition helicopter arrived on the scene providing air support.

Emarat also released pictures of the bullet holes after the pirates unleashed machine gun fire at the tanker.

A Sydney-based newspaper reported that two Australian warships helped ward off attacks on Dubai Princess and another ship, the Stella on Sunday.

According to the Maritime Bureau's piracy reporting centre, pirates have attacked 60 ships off the Gulf of Aden and off the Somali coast despite the presence of foreign navy patrols. Pirate attacks have reportedly doubled in the first quarter of this year, to 102.

Misra said in a statement that the pirates were subsequently disarmed. Dubai Princess was flying the Marshall Island flag.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

H/T CHINFO Clips

PO2 Tyler Trahan's Funeral

From SouthCoast Today videos on YouTube

Can't Get Enough CP '09???

Well then you need to read the USNI Blog with all of Jim Dolbow's great posts!

100,000+ Patient Encounters To Date for Continuing Promise ‘09

USNS COMFORT: 69,360 Tons of Medical Diplomacy

USNS COMFORT: Mission Accomplished in Antigua and Barbuda

Continuing Promise ‘09 is a Bargain for the Navy and U.S. Taxpayer

Continuing Promise '09 CAPT Lineberry's Favorite Question

The best question on Tuesday came from Beth Wilson - She asked about the SeaBees aboard USNS Comfort. CAPT Lineberry really warmed to this question and gave his most enthusiastic answer.

CAPT. LINEBERRY: Yeah, Beth, and you know what, you can come back, Beth, and hang out with the Seabees any time. Yes, our construction battalion here, 21 hard-charging -- their motto is, they live it, they sweep it, they eat it, they drink it, they feel it, is can do and, matter of fact, their commanding officer came aboard yesterday, Commander Wendy Halsey, along with their command master chief and their operations officer just to pay a visit to our Seabees here and tomorrow, I'm going to actually go visit them out at the site they are working on what's called the mental hospital here in Antigua & Barbuda and they have kind of gutted out a dormitory for females and when I was here in October, it was in what really looked like disrepair.

So they went in the very first couple of days, kind of tore all the walls, all the structures, everything out, doing a little bit of repair to the roof, but mostly just inside and I know they've been working on it for nearly a week now, it'll be a week tomorrow and it's just that kind of work that they're doing, along with the Rotarian international folks here, along with also the host nation, Antigua engineers here.

So it's a great effort and that's just at the mental hospital. The other thing that they're doing while they're here is working with the public works engineers here in Antigua and sharing information. The first couple of days they worked on -- the rest of this week they're working on electrical, as well as some carpentry skills and, again, they're not teaching, but they're sharing information with the engineers here.

I think last week, I want to say some water works and some project planning sort of thing, and again, they sit down with a room full of engineers and did some stand up training, as well as sharing information. So the Seabees are very well rounded, they can do anything that you ask of them. A couple of other places when we were in the Dominican Republic, they went to the national reference lab, which holds one of two places on the island there in the Dominican Republic, holding blood for research and what they had was a lot of different refrigerators that were just kind of sitting around holding their blood samples and their blood stores and what the host nation, as well as the embassy asked us to do back in October of 2008 when we came here to look the site over, they asked us to come up with a drawing, come up with a plan to build them a room, kind of an addition where they can house all of the refrigerators in a highly air conditioned, they keep it like 42 degrees in there, all these refrigerators, so they could keep these blood samples, one, safe, it's all locked up, it's all projected and keep it where it's very effective and efficient for the samples to be coming in and out of the national reference lab. So, again, just another thing that the Seabees do and then just to throw out what they did, a big project. They're only doing a couple projects everywhere we do, but the big project they did in Haiti was the hospital, the main hospital in Port-au-Prince had a pharmacy there and when we visited in October, it had been basically condemned and what they did, once again, they go in and just gutted out and they just kind of start from scratch and they repair the roofs, they repair the ceiling, they put together kind of an office area for them and a waiting area for the pharmacy and the prime minister, the ambassador was there. They're very appreciative of the great work that the Seabees do.

I could talk all day about the Seabees, and again, thanks for bringing them up, Beth, because they are some of the unsung heroes, but we love them.

One Of The Truest Things I've Ever Said

Hehehe! Seems Princess Crabby showed up for the Roundtable! This was my first question.

Q Okay. All right. Well, since all of my life revolves around me, these questions are going to revolve around bloggers. Is that okay, Captain?

CAPT. LINEBERRY: Yes, ma'am, it is. Go right ahead, Maggie.

Q Okay. How do you feel about having the bloggers embark? I know, clearly, you have enjoyed Beth, but she's really nice, sometimes bloggers can be difficult.

CAPT. LINEBERRY: Well, Maggie, I've not run into a difficult blogger yet, but you know, there's always going to be the first time. I wouldn't -- talked to Beth about, I'm not a tech savvy person, but I do read blogs and we do monitor that very closely and Matt Gill and his staff, they look at what's out there and it's all good information, it really is and I know there are some blogs out there that have a different point of view, but that's okay, that's part of the democratic system and it's also part of being an American and living in a free society. So I enjoy reading things like that.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
CAPT Lineberry hasn't run into a difficult blogger yet.........so yeah, that's right, he's never met me. LOL

Operation Continuing Promise '09

Yeah, I'm late again......Tuesday morning I participated in a Blogger's Roundtable featuring CAPT Lineberry, Mission Commander for CP '09. There were some technical difficulties sothe time we got rolling it was just Beth Wilson (of Homefront In Focus), moderator MC3 Selby and myself.

CAPT Lineberry made a brief opening statement describing all the different countries participating in CP '09 and all the NGOs they were working with. It's amazing that the United States through it's Navy can pull together all these diverse groups and provide them with a platform from which to do amazing things.

And the things they are accomplishing are indeed amazing - as of the time of the call Tuesday morning, one and half months into a four month deployment - they had just treated their 25,000th patient.

25,000 patients. Think about that.

25,000 lives impacted for the better.

Charlestown Historical Society Events

The Charlestown Historical Society has a few events coming up -

CHARLESTOWN WORLD WAR II EXHIBITS

Exhibits on the Men and Women from Charlestown who served in WWII.

Next Openings
Saturday May 23rd
Saturday June 13th
1:00PM – 3:00PM

Sponsored by the “Charlestown Veterans History Project”
For more information call Bill Durette 617-595-7083
Exhibit Hall - 20 City Square Charlestown

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

If you have the opportunity, stop by. This exhibit is very close to my heart. One of the displays is devoted to my grandfather's brothers. Out of the nine Kelley siblings, seven served in WWII. My grandfather was not able to serve due to his age and family situation, but his family was well represented.

This is a pic that my Uncle Tim painted of himself and three of his brothers, Jim, John & George from their service photographs.

BZ Victoria Toensing!

From a link at Sister Toldjeh that was twittered by @svrgn_nation

Critics Still Haven't Read the 'Torture' Memos
The CIA proposed the methods. The Justice Department gave its advice.

By VICTORIA TOENSING
Sen. Patrick Leahy wants an independent commission to investigate them. Rep. John Conyers wants the Obama Justice Department to prosecute them. Liberal lawyers want to disbar them, and the media maligns them.

What did the Justice Department attorneys at George W. Bush's Office of Legal Counsel (OLC) -- John Yoo and Jay Bybee -- do to garner such scorn? They analyzed a 1994 criminal statute prohibiting torture when the CIA asked for legal guidance on interrogation techniques for a high-level al Qaeda detainee (Abu Zubaydah).

In the mid-1980s, when I supervised the legality of apprehending terrorists to stand trial, I relied on a decades-old Supreme Court standard: Our capture and treatment could not "shock the conscience" of the court. The OLC lawyers, however, were not asked what treatment was legal to preserve a prosecution. They were asked what treatment was legal for a detainee who they were told had knowledge of future attacks on Americans.

The 1994 law was passed pursuant to an international treaty, the United Nations Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment. The law's definition of torture is circular. Torture under that law means "severe physical or mental pain or suffering," which in turn means "prolonged mental harm," which must be caused by one of four prohibited acts. The only relevant one to the CIA inquiry was threatening or inflicting "severe physical pain or suffering." What is "prolonged mental suffering"? The term appears nowhere else in the U.S. Code.

Congress required, in order for there to be a violation of the law, that an interrogator specifically intend that the detainee suffer prolonged physical or mental suffering as a result of the prohibited conduct. Just knowing a person could be injured from the interrogation method is not a violation under Supreme Court rulings interpreting "specific intent" in other criminal statutes.

In the summer of 2002, the CIA outlined 10 interrogation methods that would be used only on Abu Zubaydah, who it told the lawyers was "one of the highest ranking members of" al Qaeda, serving as "Usama Bin Laden's senior lieutenant." According to the CIA, Zubaydah had "been involved in every major" al Qaeda terrorist operation including 9/11, and was "planning future terrorist attacks" against U.S. interests.

Most importantly, the lawyers were told that Zubaydah -- who was well-versed in American interrogation techniques, having written al Qaeda's manual on the subject -- "displays no signs of willingness" to provide information and "has come to expect that no physical harm will be done to him." When the usual interrogation methods were used, he had maintained his "unabated desire to kill Americans and Jews."

The CIA and Department of Justice lawyers had two options: continue questioning Zubaydah by a process that had not worked or escalate the interrogation techniques in compliance with U.S. law. They chose the latter.

The Justice Department lawyers wrote two opinions totaling 54 pages. One went to White House Counsel Alberto Gonzales, the other to the CIA general counsel.

Both memos noted that the legislative history of the 1994 torture statute was "scant." Neither house of Congress had hearings, debates or amendments, or provided clarification about terms such as "severe" or "prolonged mental harm." There is no record of Rep. Jerrold Nadler -- who now calls for impeachment and a criminal investigation of the lawyers -- trying to make any act (e.g., waterboarding) illegal, or attempting to lessen the specific intent standard.
The Gonzales memo analyzed "torture" under American and international law. It noted that our courts, under a civil statute, have interpreted "severe" physical or mental pain or suffering to require extreme acts: The person had to be shot, beaten or raped, threatened with death or removal of extremities, or denied medical care. One federal court distinguished between torture and acts that were "cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment." So have international courts. The European Court of Human Rights in the case of Ireland v. United Kingdom (1978) specifically found that wall standing (to produce muscle fatigue), hooding, and sleep and food deprivation were not torture.

The U.N. treaty defined torture as "severe pain and suffering." The Justice Department witness for the Senate treaty hearings testified that "[t]orture is understood to be barbaric cruelty . . . the mere mention of which sends chills down one's spine." He gave examples of "the needle under the fingernail, the application of electrical shock to the genital area, the piercing of eyeballs. . . ." Mental torture was an act "designed to damage and destroy the human personality."

The treaty had a specific provision stating that nothing, not even war, justifies torture. Congress removed that provision when drafting the 1994 law against torture, thereby permitting someone accused of violating the statute to invoke the long-established defense of necessity.

The memo to the CIA discussed 10 requested interrogation techniques and how each should be limited so as not to violate the statute. The lawyers warned that no procedure could be used that "interferes with the proper healing of Zubaydah's wound," which he incurred during capture. They observed that all the techniques, including waterboarding, were used on our military trainees, and that the CIA had conducted an "extensive inquiry" with experts and psychologists.

But now, safe in ivory towers eight years removed from 9/11, critics demand criminalization of the techniques and the prosecution or disbarment of the lawyers who advised the CIA. Contrary to columnist Frank Rich's uninformed accusation in the New York Times that the lawyers "proposed using" the techniques, they did no such thing. They were asked to provide legal guidance on whether the CIA's proposed methods violated the law.

Then there is Washington Post columnist Eugene Robinson, who declared that "waterboarding will almost certainly be deemed illegal if put under judicial scrutiny," depending on which "of several possibly applicable legal standards" apply. Does he know the Senate rejected a bill in 2006 to make waterboarding illegal? That fact alone negates criminalization of the act. So quick to condemn, Mr. Robinson later replied to a TV interview question that he did not know how long sleep deprivation could go before it was "immoral." It is "a nuance," he said.

Yet the CIA asked those OLC lawyers to figure out exactly where that nuance stopped in the context of preventing another attack. There should be a rule that all persons proposing investigation, prosecution or disbarment must read the two memos and all underlying documents and then draft a dissenting analysis.

Ms. Toensing was chief counsel for the Senate Intelligence Committee and deputy assistant attorney general in the Reagan administration.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This is why I love blogs. It's why I love Twitter.

Remembering USS Stark FFG-31

May 17, 1987 - A very fitting tribute can be found at Mark Wasnock's blog which consists of only three posts, but they are all about USS Stark. He lost friends and shipmates that day. It's worth popping over.

There is also a snippet from a Public Radio interview Tim Gable who was aboard Stark at the time of the attack and spent 11 hours in the water after the attack. Another link is here.

If you click on the link for the interview Tim Gable, don't miss the part from minutes 13 to 16 when Gable describes his rescue from the water. It is incredibly moving to listen to him describe the experience of the Bahrainian helicopter plucking him from the Gulf.

Here's What I'm Looking For.....

........veterans of the Battle of Midway in Boston (or surrounding area).

There will be an observance of the Midway anniversary next month. As the details are made public, I will post them here and on Twitter & Facebook. The planners would like to invite any veteran from the Battle of Midway who wishes to attend.

I would appreciate any lead.

File this under "Maggie's looking for a Sailor (s)"!

Fair Winds & Following Seas Petty Officer Trahan

Fallen Sailor Laid To Rest

"American Hero" honored after being killed in Iraq

Updated: Wednesday, 13 May 2009, 1:07 PM EDT
Published : Wednesday, 13 May 2009, 12:30 PM EDT
Karen Rezendes

FREETOWN, Mass. (WPRI) - A local sailor described as an "American Hero" and a "Patriot" is laid to rest today after he was killed in Iraq. Funeral services are being held for 22-year-old Petty Officer, second class Tyler Trahan of Freetown.

His funeral service is taking place at St. John Neumanns Church in East Freetown. The funeral procession will leave the church and proceed to the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne.
Trahan's family has allowed the media to cover the funeral service, as well as the emotional ceremony when Trahan's body was brought back to New England.

Just days after Trahan and two others were killed in Iraq trying to disarm a bomb, his body was flown from Dover Delaware to T.F. Green Airport. In a solemn ceremony, his family members shared hugs and linked arms, comforting each other as his flag-draped casket was removed from the plane. Saturday's ceremony was the first of its kind in this area in a decade, according to Navy officials.

Trahan leaves behind his parents, siblings, his girlfriend, friends and many others.

He was a third generation serviceman, following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather who also served in the military. He joined the Navy after graduating from Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical School where he was a national honor society member and star quarterback.

Trahan was assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit Twelve of Norfolk, Virginia, and was temporarily assigned to a SEAL team based in Virginia Beach.

Video of PO2 Trahan Arriving At TF Green

From WPRI News
Fallen soldier returns home

AMB Mary Yates on AFRICOM

From @PentagonChannel on Twitter

1400 Anticipated: Ambassador Mary Yates, speaking at Foreign Press Center on "Lessons Learned from a New Combatant Command--AFRICOM."

So I am watching/listening. I love the Pentagon Channel.

I am hugely interested in this subject but fear that if I try to take one more subject on, my head will explode! @Roger_Pociask doesn't care. He keeps sending me info about it.

US Now Premeiring Online

Us Now film premiere (US, UK AND ONLINE)

I didn't pay enough attention to this and missed the "event" part, but the film is online here.

The DOD Blogger's Roundtable ran a little long while CAPT Lineberry found a line with a good connection. But that's fine....you know with me, Navy comes first.

I tried Twittering the call. Eh....it was ok. My ADD interferes with multitasking, lol.

CAPT Lineberry is Mission Commander for Continuing Promise 2009. The call started out with three bloggers and MC3 William Selby as our moderator. However due to the delays from USNS Comfort, it ended up just Beth Wilson of Homefront in Focus and myself.

I'll post more about it later. For now I want to catch this film.

Oh and a point I thought was important by way of a retwitter from @cheeky_geeky (Dr. Mark Drapeau) on Twitter this morning. -

Dont' focus on current tool, that changes, focus on why. That will help with adaptability. (RT @salemonz) #jpawg

And thanks to @salemonz too!

"THe Conference Is Restricted At This Time"

I thought - WTF? Do they know who I am?

Then I came out here to beef about this. So I open the email and cut and paste the topic info

DoDLive Bloggers Roundtable with U.S. Navy Capt. Robert Lineberry, Mission Commander for Continuing Promise 2009, for May 12 at 0930 ET

Ahh......0930.......so I guess at 0850, it would be restricted.

LOL Back in a few minutes! Now I have time to get dressed, I just got out of the shower.

Milblog - Friday Evening

Our story so far

Thursday Night/Friday Morning - the drive down.

Friday Afternoon - Getting To The Pentagon

Friday Afternoon - The Pentagon

Now We Get To My Adventure In An Adventure

Which brings us up to arriving back at my hotel with just enough time to get ready for the screening of "At War" and the "Jail-N-Bail" cocktail party.

I asked Jen & Grace for all the ones and fives they had. The plan for the Jail-N-Bail was for people to swear out $5 warrants and the arrestees would have to post bail or beg others to post for them.

My sisters came down to the reception area with me, we were very early. I didn't want to miss that movie! So, Grace & Jen collapse into comfy club chairs because Grace had dragged Jen allllll over the zoo that day. Jen was too wiped out to avoid the monkeys.....Jen loathes monkeys. She won't even it the monkeys in the box of animal crackers.....more cookies for me.

Anyway, I introduced them to some SpouseBuzz babes before the collapse. After that, everything was seen from the "Statler & Waldorf" position.

First up, CJ Grisham. He was with me at the Pentagon and paid me a compliment about something that happened there. Jen & Grace look skeptical. Suddenly they decide that the reason I needed ones and fives is so I can pay people to say nice things about me.

Next ConcreteBob! He whoops. He runs. He hugs - Grace and Jen never got over how much I let people touch me this weekend, we are not touchy-feely people. When I introduce ConcreteBob. Jen and Grace nod knowingly to each other. They have heard me speak of him and know he is over-the-top. But they smiled, there was approval.

Then we get a three-fer - Mrs. Diva, Toni of Bear Creek Ledger and someone who's name escapes me now. Not to worry, Mrs. Diva will come out in the comments and remind me.

I left them and popped in to see if Troy needed any help setting up the movie. He was very distracted. I guess it's tough being a perfectionist.....I wouldn't know, lol. So I got barely a glance when I asked what I could do. So I walked out the CJ and helped him put Bouhammer cards on each chair. I came up short and stuck my head behind the curtain. I announced I needed four more cards. Somehow, with those words "four more cards" Troy realized who I was and I got a hug. LOL I wonder what it was?

I went out and got Jen & Grace because people were starting to file in. TSO grabbed me for a minute, he wanted to introduce me to elaine of NavyNorthwestNews. Now Fuzzy Bear Lioness had just told me something and it was my turn to be distracted. LOL, I'm sorry Elaine! I buzzed by Jack Holt, asked a question, but then the movie started.

I went back to where Grace & Jen were sitting and they laughed.....apparently I wasn't supposed to do that. They were sitting in the back row in case they wanted to escape. But as it turned out, that never came up.

My New Obsession

Twitter

It's sucking me in. I deliberately have it turned off right now so I can post. I am addicted.

Jen mentioned the other day that I haven't finished blogging about the Milblogger's Conference.

That's because I have been in total "sponge" mode lately. Twitter is like drinking from a fire hose. Since mentioning "social media" out there I have been deluged with contacts and suggestions. I am trying to learn what I can because I have committed to try and use it to help promote two things near and dear to my heart......USS Constitution.....and Project Valor-IT.

But I also want to finish blogging the Conference.

So I'm sorry for the delays, I'll put up another later tonight or tomorrow.

Funeral Arrangements For PO2 Tyler Trahan

Procession to be held for Tyler Trahan
By Jeffrey D. Wagner
Herald News Staff
Posted May 07, 2009 @ 10:55 PM
Last update May 08, 2009 @ 10:46 AM

Freetown —

The body of deceased Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposalman second class Tyler J. Trahan is scheduled to be flown into T.F Green Airport in Warwick, R.I., on Saturday at about 3 p.m., according to Trahan’s father Jean-Pierre Trahan.

He said that a military honors procession will be conducted. He said the procession will include him, his wife Maureen, his daughter Molly, Tyler’s girlfriend, Tyler’s best friend and cousin, and two Navy personnel whom Tyler served with.

Jean-Pierre Trahan said they will all ride in a limousine as they prepare for Tyler’s wake at Perry Funeral Home in New Bedford on Tuesday. The wake will then be followed by a funeral Mass at St. John Neumann’s Church on Wednesday in Freetown, according to Trahan.

Deputy Public Affairs Officer Robert J. Fluegel, of the Naval Special Warfare Group Two, stressed that all plans are still tentative, including the arrival time, but official confirmation should come soon.

Tyler Trahan was killed in action in Fallujah, Iraq, last Thursday, two days before his 23rd birthday.

Trahan was with a Navy Seal team.

He was assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 12, Norfolk, Va., and was temporarily assigned to a Seal Team based out of Virginia Beach, Va.

Trahan was one of three soldiers killed in Iraq after a bomb detonated outside of Baghdad. Tyler was said to be in the process of deactivating the bomb before it detonated.

The Trahans went to Dover, Del., on Friday and a ceremony was conducted in which the body was transferred from an airplane and onto United States soil.

Last Sunday, Freetown Selectmen Chairwoman Jean C. Fox sent out an e-mail asking that all flags in town be flown half-staff until Memorial Day.

More Tibutes For PO2 Trahan

A Navy carry team carries the transfer case containing the remains of U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Tyler J. Trahan of Freetown, Mass. on Friday, May 1, 2009 at Dover Air Force Base, Del. According to the Department of Defense, Trahan, 22, died on April 30 while conducting combat operations in Fallujah, Iraq. Trahan was assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit Twelve in Norfolk, Va., and was deployed with an East Coast based Navy SEAL team.(AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

From my friend Maryann over at SA Germany

Godspeed PO2 Tyler J. Trahan

From Major Pain

Guarding Angels

You can view the Legacy.com guest book here.

I'm Off To My Sister's House

Tonight is "Supernatural" otherwise known as "Conference Call With Our Goddaughters" night. I haven't really followed this show, but it's fun to be there when the calls start coming in.

So, it's off to nonsense and I note it here because there have been complaints.

Plus Jen's house is Atkins friendly and I am on day 11. Nothing like seeing yourself on video hauling around the 44 pounds of steroid/chemo weight to make you go on a diet.

I saw that video and all I could think of was an old episode in Friends when Monica tries to explain that she looks heavy in a video tape of her prom night with "Shut up! The camera adds ten pounds!" and Chandler responds "Ah, so how many cameras were actually on you?"

While You Are Over At USNI

While you are over at USNI, reading all the VADM Harvey posts - don't miss this -

This Date in Naval History: Battle of the Coral Sea - 7 & 8 May

Last night some of the girls from the office went to an event at a local nursing home. One of the guys in the warehouse was teasing me - "What are you going to talk about?" I laughed and said "I'll find the Navy vets and we'll discuss the Battle of the Coral Sea!" I was looking forward to it, as you can imagine, I am a WWII vet fave, lol. I was bummed that it turned out to be some networking thing for healthcare professionals. I spent all my time avoiding the pastries (Day 11 of Atkins).

Once Again - Why VADM Harvey......

.....is a rockstar!

Readers here already know I have a "blog crush" on VADM Harvey. I learned of this concept from TSO down in DC. I have others, LTG Rick Lynch, CNO Roughhead, I've actually met VADM Harvey so I know he lives up to my hype.

He is down there, getting the job done and never forgetting the importance of mentorship - which is the subject of a blog post over at USNI. The post is the second in a series of three, the first can be found here.

VADM John Harvey: On Nuke SWO, Serving Under Charles Krulak & Mentorship

My favorite question -

Midn Withington - I have four or five months now until I put in my service selection choices and I am still struggling. You went nuclear surface warfare and what led you to choose that? Any favorite memory?

VADM Harvey - Well, first and this is most important to say you have a wonderful problem and you have a lot of really great choices. People should have such problems.…
I was always predisposed to surface following my 3rd class cruise. I found that I really enjoyed being at sea and being part of a ship. I just responded very viscerally to that and I sort of got on that track and stayed with it. We chose 1st class year, in the late fall/early winter, one of the things which drove me to surface nuke–now remember this is late ‘72 early ’73…a law had been passed under Title VIII saying that all new construction on warships of a certain tonnage, I think it was 8000 tons or greater, had to be nuclear power. So I am just sitting there in my room in Bancroft Hall, just trying to put this all together and I thought “I want to be surface and I want to be part of the future here.” I didn’t know if I was going to be in for five years or fifty at the time, but…if you did stick around and be a part of this is clearly you had to serve in nuclear power warships… I went in, did interviews, and the rest as they say is history.
Then of course they repealed the law [laughter] but I am very glad I made the choice I did.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You know I am partial to SWO!

I look forward the the third installment, but I must point out these serious posts do not present the full picture. Let me pull up a comment from this post to round out the image -

Boston Maggie -

I am certainly not talking about you!

But it is very interesting to see how many bloggers think I'm talking about them.

Just for the record - please help spread the word that I do indeed have a sense of humor.

In fact, runor has it that I was even a JO once, living in a 10 man bunkroom underneath #3 Catapult on USS ENTERPRISE (CVN 65) back in some of my glory days from 1974-1976.

Anyway, I hope you are feeling better; we're all pulling for you.

All the best, JCHjr

~~~~~~~~~~~

Uncle Jimbo - Exposed!

*****UPDATED - There is a fabulous comment from Uncle Jimbo & I don't want you to miss it!
"You are a menace Ma'am
I shoulda knowed bettah than to staht up with you.
Cordially,
Uncle J"From my new best friend, The Sniper................ Milbloggers Expose (pronounced "ex-po-zay")

Na-na Jimbo - you deserve this, you know why.

USS Freedom Is A Yahoo Top Story!

This is quite the coup for some PAO or group of PAOs.

USS Freedom: Quicker, High-Tech and Pirate-Proofed

JetBlue Offers $1 Military Fairs

CJ, I am ever at your service!

JetBlue Offers $1 Military Fairs
May 5, 2009 By CJ
Posted in Uncategorized

JetBlue is offering an AWESOME military special during the month of May. It makes me wish I was still stationed in the DC area. In addition to the great offer, they’re going to support a great cause:

JetBlue proudly supports our men and women in uniform. In honor of National Military Appreciation Month, we’re offering active duty military personnel $1* fares for domestic, nonstop flights, for a limited time, departing from the two JetBlue cities nearest to our nation’s capital: Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) in Dulles, VA, and Richmond International Airport (RIC) in Richmond, VA. To further honor our military, JetBlue will donate $15,000 to the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP), a non-profit organization whose mission is to honor and empower wounded warriors. Learn more about the Wounded Warrior Project.

Here’s the deal. You have to book between now and May 7 and travel between the 8th and the end of the month. You have to travel FROM either Washington Dulles or Richmond International Airport, but you can travel to ANY continental US city that flies nonstop from these airports. Unfortunately, it’s only offered to troops currently serving on active duty.

To book your $1* fare call 1-800-JETBLUE (538-2583) and select option 4. Important: Flights cannot be purchased online or at the airport service counter. Servicemembers are responsible for applicable taxes and fees. At the airport, you must check in at the service counter and present a current, valid DOD Common Access Card and official documentation from your branch of service verifying that you are on authorized leave from active duty. Failure to present these documents will void your reservation.

The $15 phone booking fee will be waived for this promotion only. Have your credit card number handy to pay taxes and fees. For more information, check out JetBlue’s website.

Anxiety

So yesterday, something big and good and exciting happened.....and it was Navy....and SB was in the dungeon (no phones, no texting, etc.), so I called Galrahn.

After I told him my story at top speed and a pitch that would make dogs howl.....the conversation turned to social media. This has been a hot topic for a while in my circles.

He told me to go read "Social Software and National Security: An Initial Net Assessment". Which he had blogged about here.

I had little moment. You see, my reading comprehension skills and short term memory are being effected by a) cancer b) drugs c) some combination of the two. I told SB and he tried to make light of it and said "What? So now you read like a normal person?" Which was sweet but it is getting to be a problem.

Then this morning @Lindy Kyzer was Twittering (Tweeting?) a panel for the WPAS and the author of paper Galrahn wanted me to read is on it. When I followed Lindy's link to one of the presenters.....there was Dr. Mark Drapeau! If there is going to be vid, this may make my reading easier.

Bloggers Aboard USNS Comfort

There's Beth Wilson, who I will post on next. But this is a quick and dirty because it's getting late.

Keziah is from a Haitian NGO and she has two posts up at her place.

Part 1 - Killick Coast Guard base

Part 2 - USNS Comfort

Both have great commentary and lots of pics.

Thanks to Mary Ripley the blogger wrangler at USNI for pointing them out to me.

BZ To The Bubbleheads of USS Toledo SSN 769

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (April 28, 2009) Sailors assigned to the Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Toledo (SSN 769) spend time with a patient at the Chris Evert Children's Hospital at Broward General Medical Center during Fleet Week Port Everglades 2009. More than 1,000 Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen from Toledo, the amphibious dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD 48), the guided-missile destroyer USS Forrest Sherman (DDG 98), the medium endurance U.S. Coast Guard cutter USCGC Tahoma (WMEC 908), the Royal Canadian Navy auxiliary oil replenishment ship HMCS Preserver (AOR 510), Naval Beach Group 2 and the 2nd Marine Division will participate in Fleet Week from April 27 to May 2. (U.S. Navy photo by MC2 Joseph R. Wax/Released)

Pueblo Navy Officer Tackling Afghan Health Needs

From @MCPONPOA on Twitter (Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Public Affairs Office) & @Navy_IA

Pueblo Navy officer tackling Afghan health needs
By PETER ROPER
THE PUEBLO CHIEFTAIN

Navy Lt. Jeremey Biehn starts most days in Kabul, Afghanistan, the same way - holstering his 9mm pistol, encasing himself in 65 pounds of body armor and shouldering an M4 automatic rifle before heading out to make medical calls in the Afghan capitol.

Not the usual tools for a former combat corpsman and now Navy medical officer who finds himself fighting ancient and virulent diseases such as smallpox and polio halfway around the world from Pueblo, his hometown. But this is Afghanistan.

Read the rest here.

BZ LT Biehn!

PO2 Trahan Honored In Permanent Ink

A good story from "The Herald News"

Trahan honored in permanent ink
By Jeffrey D. Wagner
Special to The Herald News
Posted May 04, 2009 @ 10:19 PM

Town resident Jonathan Reid has a message in Arabic recently tattooed to his abdomen — “Freedom isn’t free.”

And above that phrase reads a name and insignia he will also never forget — Tyler Trahan and the wreath-decorated insignia of Trahan’s explosive ordnance disposal unit.

Reid and his friend Jonathan Evans got tattoos in honor of Trahan on Saturday, two days after Trahan, a Navy explosive ordnance disposalman 2nd class, was killed in action in Fallujah, Iraq. The tattoos were drawn on what would have been Trahan’s 23rd birthday.

Both Reid and Evans have known Trahan since middle school.

“He’s one of the nicest kids you could meet,” Evans said of Trahan. Evans graduated from the carpentry shop at Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School with Trahan in 2004.

Reid said he moved from North Carolina to Freetown when he was 12. He said one of his first memories of those days is how a friendly young man calmed his nerves during the first few days of eight grade. Trahan stuck his hand out and introduced himself in a mature, adult-like fashion.

“Kids don’t do things like that,” he said. He said the two remained friends throughout high school and beyond. Reid said both he and Trahan bonded further through their desire to serve in the military. Reid said Trahan inspired him to join the Coast Guard shortly after Reid graduated from Apponequet Regional High School in 2004.

Reid also said both he and Trahan exchanged insignia pins connected to their respective work in the military before Trahan died.

“That’s the most cherished object I have,” he said.

Evans said both he and Trahan shared a friendly rivalry in the carpentry program at Old Colony. However, Evans conceded that Trahan’s slightly competitive nature came with a softer side. He and Trahan’s cousin and best friend Jeff Deterra said that Trahan was always “the life of the party” who made sure that “everyone was having a good time at the party.”

Evans, who played football with Trahan, chuckled over the time Trahan once chided a reporter for calling him “a star quarterback.” Despite Trahan’s criticism of the distinction, Evans would argue that Trahan truly was a star quarterback of their varsity squad, even though Trahan injured his collarbone early that senior year.

Evans said this was part of Trahan’s humble makeup.

“He never wanted to stand out,” Reid said. “He’s a natural leader because he doesn’t live for the stardom.”

But although Trahan had that humble side, he also had a fun side, both friends agreed with a grin.

Evans and Reid said on Jan. 7, 2006, they initiated a tradition in which they do a “polar bear plunge” off the Trahans’ boat ramp and into Long Pond.

Both boys said they continued the tradition this year, even though Trahan was overseas. They said they hope to continue it in honor of the fallen soldier.

“He’s my hero,” Reid said.

Evans and Reid were among a full house of family, friends and military personnel at the Trahan home on Monday to support the family.

Robert J. Fluegel, of the Naval Special Warfare Group Two, shared information on Trahan’s EOD unit. The information further highlighted Trahan’s bravery as the “volunteer” work was described as one of the most hazardous missions.

Fluegel said funeral arrangements have not yet been ironed out. He said the family met with a funeral parlor and a priest on Monday. He said the Trahans went to Dover, Del., on Friday and a ceremony was conducted in which the body was transferred from an airplane and on to United States soil. He said the body is still in Delaware.

On Sunday, Freetown Selectmen Chairwoman Jean C. Fox sent out an e-mail asking all flags in town be flown half-staff until Memorial Day.

“(Selectman) Larry (Ashley) has suggested that black bunting be draped from town signs and the Memorial Park as well. We would appreciate it if anyone could provide information and assistance in obtaining and draping the bunting,” she wrote in a mass e-mail. “This is a difficult, mournful time for the Trahan family, for Freetown, and this nation. I am sure that we will do all we can to provide solace to the family and keep Tyler’s memory, spirit, and heroism forever in our minds.”

Pentagon Embraces Facebook, Twitter

By way of @subbob on Twitter

Pentagon Embraces Facebook, Twitter

Read the comments as well.

I can tell you it's true based on my experiences last Friday.

The Navy Is On Flikr!

I got this link from @FlyNavy on Twitter.

NavyVisualNewsService's photostream

Go have a look.

Now We Get To My Adventure In An Adventure

Just before the tour began I was recounting to CDR Junge that I had spoken on the phone to VADM Harvey and unfortunately this tour wouldn't be going near the Navy part of the Pentagon. CDR Junge got a twinkle in his eye and I wondered what sort of plan he was hatching. After all, CDR Junge is a Sailor who gets things done.

Well we wrap up the meeting and my fellow bloggers are dividing into two groups. I wonder if this is when we will make a break for it, lol. CDR Junge approached Lindy and asked if he could take me up to VADM Harvey's office. Hmmmm, this doesn't sound like a covert plan.......Lindy pointed at him & looked him deep in the eyes and said "You are responsible for her. This is my job!!". Wha??? Whatever could she be worried about? LOL CDR Junge swore a Boy Scout oath or whatever military people do to each other when undertaking a serious and dangerous mission.......and we were off.

CDR Junge is a fast walker. I was wearing inappropriate shoes.....is anyone surprised? If you are, it's you first time here, isn't it?

We get to VADM Harvey's office and I am breathless - gotta get back to the gym, lol. CDR Junge was greeted warmly by the Admiral's staff.....my accomplices are only "top drawer" I assure you. He asked if "the big guy" had a minute for us.

Now let me say that I would have been thrilled with a head popping out of the door and a handshake. I know everything on this blog points to my ego being completely out of control. After all, I am the one who introduced herself to some serious looking guy from Small Wars Journal with "Have you had the pleasure of meeting me yet?" But really I am completely aware of my spot at 14,999 in the TTLB ecosystem.

Although, to toot my own horn........ VADM Harvey has been here aaaaannnnndd commented ....lalalala!

Anyway, a few moments later VADM Harvey came out and shook my hand and greeted me warmly. I already had a high opinion of the man & I was glad he lived up to it. He invited us into his office and we spent five minutes discussing new media.

Outstanding!

Now I am not saying that he's Twittering from his cell phone, but the Admiral gets it. Social media is the future and the Navy has to find it's place there.

So after our visit CDR Junge took me back to the Metro, via "Ground Zero".

Meeting these two gentlemen was the highlight of my trip and my great pleasure.

*****NOTE - Nothing I have done on my own made this possible. I rode Galrahn's coattails all the way. Thanks G!

We Have Received Complaints!!!

First off from Jennifer -

She had to come to the blog today. Jen & Grace rarely read me & Grace would like me to refer to her as "anonymous"......as in "I had dinner today with my parents and Jen and my anonymous sister". Anyway, I wanted Jen to print this pic for my Dad. So on the drive up and she says "What's going on there? Your blog used to be 90% nonsense and now it's all Navy stuff. You need to get back to nonsense. You know like what kind of lotion you're wearing." For the record it's Bath&BodyWorks Lavender Chamomile. She cautioned that if I got too serious, I wouldn't enjoy it as much anymore and it would become a chore. Jen's probably right. I remember when I was invited to guest blog at USNI, that was pretty much why I turned it down. So I will have to be more careful. Actually I am still a lot of nonsense, but it's been over on Twitter. I love Twitter, it suits me. I am a bomb thrower, not a deep thinker....I think the Milblog Conference showed that.

Next - Again from Jen, a comment in the post below
"You are a coward for not saying it like it happened; exactly why was it we were singing that song to you Maggie?

The song she is referencing is in this post.

So, let me confess - there is a part I left out about my encounter with RDML Thorp. The part where I was not respectful of his rank. I regret my tone.

On the drive home we were, of course, discussing this. We were discussing the best ourse of action. I said I was going to contact RDML Thorp and express my regret......then on comes Phil Collins singing about apologizing to someone.

As far as the other two commenters in that post......come on! You can't be surprised. If I made it easy for you, I wouldn't be Maggie.

Friday Afternoon - The Pentagon

So where did we leave off in the slowest moving blog story ever? Ah yes, I had just arrived at the Pentagon.

So, we are all herded into a meeting room. That was when I spotted CJ, Greyhawk and Matt. We barely had time to greet each other and really no time for me to introduce CDR Junge when a Marine ordered us to be quiet and into seats. LOL Like being back in school. He had a few words, then we were up and out. He was accompanied by a Sailor that was supposed to keep our group moving along.

The tour went by in a blur. I could have spent a good long time in the hall commemorating the US Military's humanitarian contributions of the last 60 years. But it was not to be.

Very quickly we were in a conference room full of military PAOs. The majority of those being Army. Not a surprise, the tour was organized by Army including Lyndy Kyzer, who made cookies! The Army is an overwhelming, confident presence. They have been out in front in many ways and their numbers allow them to dominate.

There was also an appearance by Secretary of the Army, Pete Geren. And I liked what he had to say. He told us that he never appreciated the power bloggers wield until the Dan Rather "Fake but accurate" scandal.

In the middle we heard from the Marines. They don't have much of a social media presence but the Marine that spoke to us conceded this with wry humor. He said they were following the Burger King model. That McDonald's spent a ton of money on selecting store locations every year. Burger King just watches and puts a restaurant on the nearby corner. If their plan is to follow Army's lead, they will do well.

Someone, I think it was CJ, brought up the @USArmy vs. Ashton Kutcher challenge. Lindy protested that she never said "war". I laughed and piped up, "I did!".

Next up, the Air Force & COL Michael Caldwell. You can't believe how enthusiastic this guy was. I am telling you he stopped just shy of doing cartwheels. I think he loves his job. One of his guys found me at the Conference the next day and made an amazing offer....but I digress.

Following the Air Force was, incredibly enough, the Coast Guard who were evern MORE enthusiastic than the Air Force. CDR Ron LeBrec pledged lots of access and even pitched ideas for us to blog about. You know....they have a ship coming into Boston Harbor in a few months. Maybe I can get a special tour......after all ADM Allen HEARTS Social Media.

Batting last was RDML Frank Thorp. Well, you know how predisposed I was to liking a Sailor named Frank.......

We discussed possibly getting an overarching Twitter account along the lines of the Army's @USArmy for the Navy Twitter accounts to fall under. RDML Thorpe told us they were working on this. He joked that it was not because I suggested it, but I piped up and said "I'm fine if you do it just because I said so."

Seriously, a lot of people in the Navy are working just as hard as any other service to reach out to those of us in the "New Media".

OK, so here comes the totally cool part.

Oops, sorry, I have to run. I promise, I'll have the rest up soon.

I'm going to publish this part later, but I will be back to throw in more links.

RIP Jack Kemp

Here's a guy I always liked.

Spokeswoman: Jack Kemp, one-time VP nominee, dies

WASHINGTON (AP) — Jack Kemp, the ex-quarterback, congressman, one-time vice-presidential nominee and self-described "bleeding-heart conservative" died Saturday.

His spokeswoman Bona Park and longtime friend and former campaign adviser Edwin J. Feulner confirmed that Kemp died after a lengthy illness.

Kemp had announced in January 2009 that he had been diagnosed with cancer. He said he was undergoing tests but gave no other detail.

Kemp, a former quarterback for the Buffalo Bills, represented western New York for nine terms in Congress, leaving the House for an unsuccessful presidential bid in 1988.

Eight years later, after serving a term as President George H.W. Bush's housing secretary, he made it onto the national ticket as Bob Dole's running-mate

Why Isn't It 3 Questions About Maggie?

So, that trouble maker CJ interviewed the very wise and discerning Pinch. We were between panels last Saturday at the Milblogger's Conference.

You can watch the video here.....he has restrictions and I can't embed it here. Humph!

The question was "What is one of your favorite blogs here?"

Pinch's answer? "I think my favorite is "BostonMaggie" (yeah baby, I love you too!)

Then CJ proceeds to the contest "Two Right, One Wrong".

But they are about "BlackFive"!!!!

What?

Shouldn't they have been about me?

Anyway, it's two minutes long, but only the first minute is about me....you can skip the rest. LOL
Don't worry, I love you Matt, I am wearing my "The Paratrooper of Love" T-shirt today.

A Tribute To PO2 Trahan

From The Herald News YouTube site.
Explosive Ordnance Disposalman 2nd Class Tyler J. Trahan, 22, of East Freetown, Mass., was killed while conducting combat operations in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom April 30, 2009. He was assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit TWELVE, Norfolk, Va., and was temporarily assigned to a SEAL Team based out of Virginia Beach, Va. In this video, he is remembered by his former teachers and coaches at Old Colony, where he was a student, athlete and leader.

It Is With Great Sadness.....

...that I convey news of the death of PO2 Tyler Trahan.

090326-N-1810F-035 WASHINGTON (May 1, 2009) Explosive Ordnance Technician 2nd Class Tyler J. Trahan, 22, from East Freetown, Mass., died April 30 during combat operations in Fallujah, Iraq. Trahan was assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit 12 based in Norfolk, Va., and was deployed as part of a Navy SEAL team. (U.S. Navy photo)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

DoD Identifies Navy Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a sailor who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Petty Officer 2nd Class Tyler J. Trahan, 22, of East Freetown, Mass., died on
April 30 while conducting combat operations in Fallujah, Iraq. Trahan was assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit Twelve in Norfolk, Va., and was deployed with an East Coast based Navy SEAL team.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

090326-N-1810F-135 WASHINGTON (May 1, 2009) Explosive Ordnance Technician 2nd Class Tyler J. Trahan, 22, from East Freetown, Mass., died April 30 during combat operations in Fallujah, Iraq. Trahan was assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit 12 based in Norfolk, Va., and was deployed as part of a Navy SEAL team. (U.S. Navy photo)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Others before me have better expressed what I wish to convey to PO2 Trahan's family and friends.

I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement, and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom.
Yours, very sincerely and respectfully,
A. Lincoln

I Know, I Know

I haven't finished blogging the Conference. LOL Tomorrow I will be offficially a week late. I promise I will get everything up soon.

For now, how about a quiz?

Salty Language: US Navy Slang

Twenty questions. I got eighteen correct. I missed "titless wave". Once I saw the answer I laughed. Of course! Then I missed "dixie cup". That one killed! I checked the right answer, completed the quiz, went back and checked my work like the nuns taught me......and changed that answer. I should always shoot form the hip, huh?

H/T LifeInTheNavy on Twitter