It's been one year ~

One year ago today a man who brought pain to not just our nation, but the world as a whole left this earth. On a personal level I am a supporter of peace over violence and war on any day. It's an idea talked about greatly in Powerful Peace. However, Usama Bin Laden was someone who quite frankly just couldn't be reasoned with by any civilized means. He was a terrorist in every sense of the word. A diabolical entity who used his religion as a shield for his actions. All the while getting others to do his evil bidding. Today, I ask you all to not just be thankful that having him gone removes at least some of our worry in the global war on terror. I also ask you to say thank you to our United States Navy SEALs and ALL of our Armed Forces who helped rid the world of at least one of our threats. The removal of Bin Laden from this earth was a joint effort which stretched far between all branches of our military, as well as the invaluable assistance of our allies. Most importantly though, I ask you all to please take a moment to keep those who were affected by Bin Laden's reign of terror in your thoughts. Those who were lost and those who were left behind should never be forgotten.

God Bless those who have been touched by the unspeakable tragedies of the global war on terror. May our future hold only peace, compassion and a greater sense of humanity.

Never Forget Tangi River Valley

Today marks the 6 month anniversary of the worst loss of life for Special Operation Forces. On August 6, 2011 our nation was rocked by tragedy when a CH-47 Chinook carrying 38 Warriors was shot down by a rocket propelled grenade in the Wardack Province of Afghanistan killing all 38 people on board.  Of those who died, 17 were U.S. Navy SEALs, 5 were U.S. Naval Special Warfare (NSW) Command Support personnel, 5 were crew members from the U.S. Army's 7th Battallion, 158th Aviation Regiment and 2nd Batallion, 135th Aviation Regiment, 2 were special operations U.S. Air Force Pararescuemen (PJ's) and 1 Combat Controller from the Air Force Special Operation Command (AFSOC); also on board was a highly trained U.S. military dog.

Sadly, the event was reminiscent of a blow we felt a little over six years ago on June 28, 2005, when we lost 11 U.S. Navy SEALs and 8 of our U.S. Army's Night Stalkers in Operation Red Wings.  Until August 6th that had been the single worst loss of life in the Special Operations Command in Afghanistan. The similarities and immense number of casualties served as a chilling reminder of the grief felt six years ago.

Those killed were not just warriors. They were sons, brothers, husbands, fathers and friends to so many.  

Please take a moment to Honor Them and their sacrifice.

May they Never be Forgotten. 

(please click on the individual links)

 

Army Sgt. Alexander J. Bennett 24, of Tacoma, Wash.; assigned to 7th Battalion, 158th Aviation Regiment (General Support Aviation Battalion)

 

 

 

Navy Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL) Darrik C. Benson 28, of Angwin, Calif.; assigned to an East Coast-based SEAL team.

 

 

 

 

Navy Special Warfare Operator Master Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Brian R. Bill 31, of Stamford, Conn.; assigned to an East Coast-based SEAL team.

 

  

Air Force Tech. Sgt. John W. Brown 33, of Tallahassee, Fla.; assigned to 24th Special Tactics Squadron, Pope Field, N.C.

 

 

 

Navy Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL/Parachutist) Christopher G. Campbell 36, of Jacksonville, N.C.; assigned to an East Coast-based SEAL team.

 

 

 

 

Army Chief Warrant Officer 4 David R. Carter 47, of Centennial, Colo.; assigned to 2nd Battalion, 135th Aviation Regiment (General Support Aviation Battalion)

 

 

 

Navy Information Systems Technician Petty Officer 1st Class (Expeditionary Warfare Specialist/Freefall Parachutist) Jared W. Day 28, of Taylorsville, Utah; assigned to an East Coast-based SEAL team 

Navy Master-at-Arms Petty Officer 1st Class (Expeditionary Warfare Specialist) John Douangdara 26, of South Sioux City, Neb.; assigned to an East Coast-based SEAL team.

 

 

Army Spc. Spencer C. Duncan 21, of Olathe, Kan.; assigned to 7th Battalion, 158th Aviation Regiment (General Support Aviation Battalion)

 

 

Navy Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) John W. Faas 31, of Minneapolis; assigned to an East Coast-based SEAL team.

 

 

 

Army Staff Sgt. Patrick D. Hamburger 30, of Lincoln, Neb.; assigned to 2nd Battalion, 135th Aviation Regiment (General Support Aviation Battalion) 

 

 

Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew W. Harvell 26, of Long Beach, Calif.; assigned to 24th Special Tactics Squadron, Pope Field, N.C.

 

Navy Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Kevin A. Houston 35, of West Hyannisport, Mass.; assigned to an East Coast-based SEAL team.

 

 

 

Navy Lt. Cmdr. (SEAL) Jonas B. Kelsall 32, of Shreveport, La.; assigned to an East Coast-based SEAL team.

 

 

 

 

Navy Special Warfare Operator Master Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Louis Langlais 44, of Santa Barbara, Calif.; assigned to an East Coast-based SEAL team.

 

 

 

 

Navy Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Matthew D. Mason 37, of Kansas City, Mo.; assigned to an East Coast-based SEAL team.

 

 

 

Navy Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Stephen M. Mills 35, of Fort Worth, Texas; assigned to an East Coast-based SEAL team.

 

 

 

Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 Bryan J. Nichols 31, of Hays, Kan.; assigned to 7th Battalion, 158th Aviation Regiment (General Support Aviation Battalion)

 

 

 

Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician Chief Petty Officer (Expeditionary Warfare Specialist/Freefall Parachutist/Diver) Nicholas H. Null 30, of Washington, W.Va.; assigned to an East Coast-based SEAL team.

 

 

Navy Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL) Jesse D. Pittman 27, of Willits, Calif.; assigned to a West Coast-based Naval Special Warfare unit.

 

 

 

Navy Special Warfare Operator Senior Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Thomas A. Ratzlaff 34, of Green Forest, Ark.; assigned to an East Coast-based SEAL team.

 

 

 

Navy Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Robert J. Reeves 32, of Shreveport, La.; assigned to an East Coast-based SEAL team.

 

 

Navy Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Heath M. Robinson 34, of Detroit; assigned to an East Coast-based SEAL team.

 

 

 

Navy Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 2nd Class (SEAL) Nicholas P. Spehar 24, of St. Paul, Minn.; assigned to a West Coast-based Naval Special Warfare unit.

 

 

 

 Navy Cryptologist Technician (Collection) Petty Officer 1st Class (Expeditionary Warfare Specialist) Michael J. Strange 25, of Philadelphia; assigned to an East Coast-based SEAL team.

 

 

 

Navy Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL/Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist) Jon T. Tumilson 35, of Rockford, Iowa; assigned to an East Coast-based SEAL team.

 

 

 

Navy Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL) Aaron C. Vaughn 30, of Stuart, Fla.; assigned to an East Coast-based SEAL team.

 

 

   

Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician Senior Chief Petty Officer (Expeditionary Warfare Specialist/Freefall Parachutist) Kraig M. Vickers 36, of Kokomo, Hawaii; assigned to an East Coast-based SEAL team.

 

 

Navy Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL) Jason R. Workman 32, of Blanding, Utah; assigned to an East Coast-based SEAL team.

 

 

Air Force Tech. Sgt. Daniel L. Zerbe 28, of York, Pa.; assigned to 24th Special Tactics Squadron, Pope Field, N.C.

"Bart"

Navy SEAL Academy

Part of my mission to Honor Them is to not only support our troops and veterans, but we must also look to the future soldiers who will be defending our freedoms and liberties in the years to come. It is because of this that I asked the gentlemen of Navy SEAL Academy to tell us a little bit about what they do. Here's what they had to say:

A Day in the Life Of a Navy SEAL

Navy SEAL Academy is a military adventure company dedicated to provide its clients the most authentic “day in the life” of a Navy SEAL. We currently have operations in California, Washington DC, North Carolina and Hawaii.

From a few hours at the beach performing exercises mimicking the notorious BUD/s training made famous on the Discovery Channel’s BUD/S Class 234, to spending 4 days rappelling down structures, breaching doors, learning tactical marksmanship, to even fast-roping out of a helicopter, the Navy SEAL Academy has pulled out all of the stops and can give its client full access to an authentic Navy SEAL experience.

Our SEAL instructors bring a wealth of experience to our course. We currently have an Active Duty BUD/s Instructor on staff, as well as an Active Duty Sniper Instructor. We also have a Former SEAL Officer who runs our operations with his SEAL Cadre in Hawaii. All of our SEAL cadre’s military qualifications are many
and diverse. They are all currently working on obtaining all civilian and law enforcement licenses, and qualifications. We have a Quality Management program in place and will be soon certified ISO 9001-2008 to ensure the safety and management of our courses. We are fortunate to have a highly motivated and educated group of Frogmen!

Our courses are extremely diverse, as we cater to many groups. Our clients range from 17 year old students who aspire to become Special Operation Forces candidates, to YPO Executives who run and operate multimillion-dollar companies. We have taught CEO’s, MMA legends, Professional Athletes, Moms, Dads, Grand dads, teens, and more.

We have most recently started a Scholarship Program in California and Hawaii to provide Free Training to any student who holds a contract to any Special Forces Program. We look forward to giving back and helping our new generation of warriors attain their full potential. Hooyah!!!!

For more info please go to:

 

navysealacademy.com

 

Other places you can find Navy SEAL Academy:

TWITTER

FACEBOOK

 

USTREAM

At what cost?

It seems in the news we're always hearing about military cuts. Whether they're taking it from our defense budget, pensions or health care benefits the one common denominator in the trend is that we're cutting from the very force which protects us. Most recently, the Army has announced it's cutting 50,000 soldiers. This doesn't take into account the recent cuts which have affected all aspects of the various branches. 

On November 1, 2011 Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jon Greenert warned while testifying on Capitol Hill that the cuts reaching nearly $1 trillion over the next decade will “cause irreversible harm” to the Navy. He stated further that “It will hollow the military, and we will be out of balance in manpower, both military and civilian, procurement and modernization.”  His statements of warning were similar to those of Adm. Mark Ferguson, vice CNO, who made similar claims to a House subcommittee last week. Gen. Ray Odierno, the Army chief of staff added to this by stating that a pullback in U.S. defense spending could cause potential enemies to question the the power of U.S. military power.  Gen. Norton A. Schwartz, the Air Force chief of staff, further stated that budget cuts beyond the $450 to $465 billion already in the works would cause severe, long-term damage to his service and in turn affect the Air Force's ability to prepare for future crises and wars.  It came as no surprise when Gen. James F. Amos, commandant of the Marine Corps concurred with them by adding that steeper defense cuts would undermine the military's ability to maintain a large presence in key parts of the world.  So here we have the leaders of our military forces, the ones whom we turn to when we need swift and immediate action against the war on terror telling us that these cuts are not good for the longevity and/or safety of our country. I find it troubling that we are even entertaining such cuts when Washington has been given valid and concrete reasons as to why they should not happen.

 

Now, I know to the average Joe these cuts may not seem like that big of a deal. As a matter of fact I feel that sadly most Americans have become desensitized to the constant news regarding military budgetary topics and for the most part tune it out. And therein lies part of our problem. These cuts are getting out of control and we're headed on a path that could be damaging to the United States as well as potentially irreversible.  I'm sure the first argument by many will be that spending by the Military is out of control as they provide a laundry list of the cost of planes and weapons. I would remind those individuals though, that we didn't become a super power by buying second rate defense weaponry. We spare no expense because nothing is as important to our Armed Forces as protecting this country and it's people. I'm sure many will further argue that we're using these weapons on foreign lands and fighting other people's wars, but are we really? There is a reason it's referred to as the 'global' war on terror and shouldn't we be grateful that the war is not being fought on our land? Our US Armed Forces serve as a global force to all enemies of the world showing them that terrorisst will not win, that as long as the United States of America is there, no human should have to suffer at the hand of terrorists. 

 

However, I must digress as there is another factor in this that I haven't touched on, the care of our men and women who serve. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is at an all time high in our current military as well as veterans. More and more of our troops are coming home with symptoms of this invisible but very real wound. There are also those warriors who come home wounded and whose needs exceed standard medical care. Some need prosthetics and therapy which can range anywhere from weeks to months. We are also seeing a rise in the number of troops who return from combat with Traumatic Brain Injury. We should never forget that these men and women were injured while serving their country. A country they fought valiantly for. Our VA Hospitals have a hard time meeting the health care needs of the troops and veterans we have on the home front now, this doesn't include the tens of thousand who will be returning.

With the Army's recent cuts of 50,000 soldiers and the Air Force's announcement to cut 9,000 civilian jobs we will be sending nearly 60,000 people into an already failing economy with a job market that isn't fit for some of the most qualified applicants. This will leave a majority of our troops out of work, assuming some of them are lucky enough to find employment, in a country where unemployment is already out of control. They can file for unemployment benefits, however we are already paying out so much money on a weekly basis for that it makes you wonder, where would this extra money be coming from?  Aren't the military cuts in question supposed to help our drained economy? Taking millions from one calling it a budget cut and in turn paying out millions of unemployment dollars doesn't seem like a well thought out strategy to me. The one place I never seem to see budgetary cuts lies within the very people that are deciding these cuts. I won't get into a political party debate, but I will state that I feel that many in Washington have been irresponsible with both their salaries (including increases) as well as their budgets. Taking vacations, expensive dinners and countless other extravagances do not seem to be relevant to national security. Truthfully, I don't believe one of them would ever stand up and fight the way our men and women of the armed forces have.  I don't intend to appear unsympathetic to the task at hand when it comes to finding places to cut millions of dollars in a faltering budget. Cutting from defense just does not seem to be a realistic or feasible option. It certainly isn't one that makes sense to me. Cutting millions from the entities that protect us at the potential risk of weakening our armed forces and subjecting our homeland to terrorist attacks doesn't seem like the end would justify the means. I'm afraid to think what being out of work may do to the mental health of some of our troops returning home who may be suffering from wounds already. There must be a reason health care providers have said for as long as I recall that a positive attitude is good for your health.

Think of all they've seen. Try to imagine if you can the horrors that they've been exposed to in war. The sad realization of it is, that you can't. Unless you've been there and experienced all they have you can only empathize but never truly understand. Our troops are not under draft. They fight so that their homeland is safe and free from harm. Their duty to serve is ingrained somewhere deep within them, putting others before themselves. Isn't it our job to take care of the very people who have fought to protect us? I tell everyone that they should Honor Them for their service, sacrifice and all they do. Is putting them out of work after all they've done for us honoring them? Ask yourself if you could look one of our brave and selfless troops in the eye and say, I know you've fought for me and protected me, but we have no job for you and we don't have the resources available to care for your needs. Sadly, that's what I feel Washington D.C. is saying to our brave men and women of our US Armed Forces.

Milestones

On this day, Friday, September 2, 2011 Honor Them reached some milestones that make me very proud. Not just of the work I’ve put into honoring our troops and veterans, but of all of the amazing patriots who have helped me to spread my message. On my twitter account today I surpassed 3 thousand followers. On my Facebook page I surpassed 5 thousand ‘Likes’ and now I’ve reached my 20,000^th tweet.

On June 30, 2010 I began my quest and mission to support our troops and veterans with hopes that I would get some people to listen and perhaps share my devotion to our United States Military. I’ve been overwhelmed with the number of people who have not only assisted me, but with how many amazing patriots out there share my commitment to making sure out troops and veterans are given the respect and gratitude they’ve earned and DESERVE.

It’s been just over 14 months since I began and some days were easier than others but at the end of every night I knew just how important it was and it is for that reason that I continue on.  We’ve been at war for close to 10 years now and in that time we’ve lost thousands of courageous, brave and valiant troops in the Global War on Terror.  While the loss of life during the war on terror has been tremendous and our focus has been there, we should not disregard the countless other lives lost. Our country has been at a state of war since its inception with countless lives lost in her defense.

Our military has changed in many ways throughout the years as new generations of men and women volunteer their time and so much of themselves to defend our country and its people, but one thing has remained constant. That is their unwavering loyalty to their duty to protect us all from harm, sheltering the American people and in many cases the world from harm. Duty does not fade in the eyes of our troops. It is ingrained within, a steadfast and unyielding way of life which continues on even after they’ve moved on to civilian life.

We should never forget that we haven’t been under draft for decades.  The troops serving our country so selflessly are doing so because they’ve chosen to do so.  There is not endless wealth at their fingertips.  They are not living in luxury due to their chosen profession.  Instead, they are eating MRE’s and dealing with unbearable temperature changes while lugging around anywhere from 60 to 150 lbs of equipment on their body.  Our military only accounts for 1% of our population. That is a very small number and proves just how special a breed of person it takes to be willing to risk everything for others.

I dedicate the milestones I reached today to our United States Military of past, present and future. Nothing I do would be possible without the sacrifices made by all of you. To our POW/MIA troops, you are Not Forgotten and you NEVER will be. Always you will be remembered for the price you’ve paid in protection of all of us. And to those heroes who have fallen, I take a knee and bow my head in anguish over the price you’ve paid.  There are no words which can properly convey the debt which we owe you. I vow to do my part to make sure your families and brothers/sisters of arms will be taken care of. 

With respect, gratitude and unrelenting support ~ Amanda

☆ Honor Them's 1st Birthday ☆

I started my mission, quest or duty to Honor Them on twitter on June 30, 2010.  Now, admittedly it took me awhile to find my voice. I followed maybe 100 - 200 people when I first began.  I would get online and tweet a quote or a piece of news in hopes that someone out there saw it and felt as strongly about it as I did.  Truthfully though, I wasn't really sure what I was doing. I knew that I wanted to Honor Them but i just didn't have all of my proverbial ducks in a row on how to go about doing it.

Months went by and I just didn't feel like I was accomplishing anything. Finally 2011 hit and I guess you could say something hit me.  I'll be honest and tell you that I'm not sure why I hadn't though of it before. It seemed so clear to me when I finally had thought of it.  With the casualty numbers rising in the middle east I decided that someone needed to remember the ones who have given their life for a war that had gone on for nearly 10 years.  With every announcement of a new troop being taken from us I felt as though the faces, names and memories of those fallen were becoming a distant memory.  And while the war in itself is horrible, I felt that was an even greater tragedy. 

I don't remember what day I started tweeting the names of the fallen, but I do remember that I told myself on that day I would never miss a day of honoring them and their sacrifice.  Sadly, I will admit there have been 2 days with circumstances beyond my control that I was unable to do so.  It was with great regret that I wasn't able to fulfill my promise to both those troops and myself.  I was sure to include those that were missed on the following day, but I feel strongly that each one of our selfless heroes that pays such a high price deserves that one day of remembrance for them and their fellow brothers and sisters.

Since I started honoring our fallen on a daily basis it woke me up I guess you could say. In some ways you might even say it inspired me.  When I post those names everyday, I'm seeing their faces, their ages, where they're from, etc.  Each one of them has their own story.  These weren't just faces on a television screen that you happened to glance at while flipping channels.  These were people.  These were men and women who went to fight a war in a strange land.  We live in The United States of America.  That in itself is a huge blessing, but they left all that behind and sacrificed so much of themselves in the process.  Now I've heard people say things like, "Well they joined" or "They knew what they were signing up for" and similar comments to that effect.  And I say to those people, yes, they did!  They did join!  We are not under a draft.  They joined proudly to defend this great nation. Yet our Military accounts for only 1% of our population.  Only 1% of Americans have stepped up to defend their country.  That is a very telling statistic.  Now of course we have veterans who have served and ones that who would like to serve but maybe cannot due to a medical disability or perhaps another situation that may disqualify them, however that wouldn't make that percentage jump that much.

I talk about this all the time, but we are so very fortunate to live in this amazing country.  Our forefathers had inventive and courageous ideas about what they wanted not just for themselves but for their children, their grandchildren, and for the rest of this country.  They were some very brave and smart men.  They took those beliefs and dreams and forged the most important document that any American will ever know.

There is not a day that goes by that I am not thankful for being fortunate and blessed enough to be born in such an amazing place.  And I'm sure most of America would agree with me on that.  What I fear the most though, is that we're forgetting the very people who defend this nation which we all hold so dear.  I've said it before in my posts and I'll say it again.  This country would be nothing without our military.  Our politicians and government are not protecting our liberties and freedoms, our troops are!  I will be the first to admit I do not have what it takes to fight a war, but I have the heart of a lion and I will fight on the homefront.  I will fight for our troops and veterans.  I will support them and stand by them and give them reassurance, making sure they know just how much their sacrifice means. 

I have heard many ask me why I do what I do.  "Why dedicate your time, Amanda?"  "What was the catalyst to make you so driven to support our troops and veterans?"  Honestly, I could give you all a million different answers, but its hard to put into words what you feel so deep inside your soul.  Some people are born warriors, some aren't, but I guess I was born to be a tenacious fire under everyone's behind in hopes that everyone starts to Honor Them and their sacrifice. One person can show their support, shake a hand or smile and say thank you, but it takes an entire nation to show our military that we mean it. 

So, with all that being said I am asking for a birthday present from each of you.  And since it's my 1st birthday, which is a special one, I ask you all to please participate.  Now, before you all rush out to the nearest store to buy me a gift maybe you should hear what I'm asking for.  I'm kind of picky.  :) 

Starting today, 6/21/2011 and for the next 10 days I would like you all to find your own way to Honor Them and leave me a comment here on the blog (If you wish the comment may be left anonymous, all I ask is for participation) telling me what you did.  Thats all.  I don't want anything for myself.  I just want our troops and veterans to know how much we love them and how much we all are so thankful for their service and sacrifice. Now, I may have joked about being picky, but really I'm not.  There is no minimum requirement, no maximum limits.  Here are just a few things you can do to say thank you:

• You can say thank you by shaking a hand.
• Take a box of donuts to your local VFW. 
• Take a $5 or $10 gift card to your local recruiters office.
• Call your local VA Hospital. They are always in need of donations (items you may have in your home but no longer need) and/or volunteers.
• Adopt a troop.  There are countless organizations to do that, including Homefront Hugs.
• Make a donation to organizations which help the families of the fallen. That Others May Live is one that is always in need of help. (no amount is too small)
• Make a donation to Wounded Warrior Project.  These troops come home facing new obstacles. (no amount is too small)
• Make a donation to programs assisting troops and veterans with PTSD and TBI. Operation PTSD is one of many organizations which could use your support (no amount is too small)
• If you're at the diner and see a veteran or troop, buy their meal.

The list of how many ways you can thank our troops and veterans could go on and on, because truthfully there are just so many ways you can say thank you and Honor Them for their service to our country and to us. Some of these things will cost you nothing, some may cost you a few dollars, the important thing is finding something that you can do.  Find something that is within your ability.  This birthday wish of mine is not about breaking your bank account or causing you stress, its about giving back to an amazing organization, our U.S. Armed Forces so that they know despite everything they've been through they have a whole country of a different kind of warrior standing behind them.

Thank you all.  God bless you.  God bless America.  And God bless our United States Armed Forces!  ~ Amanda :)

☆ Happy Father's Day ☆

There's nothing quite like the love of a father. They will guide you, teach you and protect you at all costs.  When our father's are military men, they hold a whole different level of weight on their shoulders. While fighting they are protecting not just their children, but their country and the world from the war on terror.  They miss out on so much of their children's lives while doing so.  These men put so many others before themselves and ask for nothing in return.

Thank you to all the Father's of the world. You are loved more than you could ever know.

And to my Dad, I love you.  You served in United States Navy with pride and you taught me alot along the way.  I was never an easy daughter to raise but we always had a friendship that surpassed all the hardships.

☆ Happy Father's Day ☆

I SALUTE YOU ALL