One Marine's View

Happy New Year-What a difference a year makes!

What a difference a year makes. Last year I was up to my arm pits in scum and now this year I will be up to my arm pits in rum!  I think of those still deployed this New Year, what a difference a year makes!

Semper Fi & Happy New Year!!

Major Pain

 

HAPPY NEW YEARS FROM IRAQ! (NEWS YEAR POST 2005)

BANG…..BANG BANG BANG!!...........Its 0001 Jan 1st 2006!!!! (eastern standadrd time + 8hrs)
Plan “B” - Things have been very busy here as we have been continuing to take the fight to Haji. You can’t stop the clock not even on New Years and so time continues to tick away at our fun filled adventure here in Iraq.

0530, alarm clock from HELL goes off, I use my panther like reflexes (not) to find the snooze button as wish I could sleep for another eight hours. Dash two alarm clock goes off and Im voicing some very colorful verbiage about this time and right out of a wake up scene from Bruce Almighty Im kicking, flipping trying to go back to sleep and ignore the clock.

THE OTHER WHITE MEAT

As I listen to the MSM and the gripe and fuss about Iraq going into a civil war, I can’t help but think that along with all of the improvements, training, education, medical assistance and aid America has given to Iraq, that it is taking a step in the right direction. It only took eight weeks to put a guilty heinous man to death. Eight weeks. A short time considered the usual time it takes to put an American convicted man to death. Although Iraq is heading into turbulent times, they are growing as a country and as they deal with their convicted, perhaps we can learn from their promptness and techniques in dealing with scum of the earth. Good riddance. P.S-Osama, you’re next.

Semper Fi

HERO'S CALL

It is with deepest regrets that one Marine that was featured on OMV, Lance Corporal Koprince, was killed in Iraq On Dec 27th. His story can be read at the link at the bottom of this post. Many of his friends, family and other people who know him, tread this blog. Please do not hesitate to leave them your comments.  You are not forgotten warrior. Semper Fidelis and God Bless you and your family.

DoD Identifies Marine Casualties

The Department of Defense announced today the death of two Marines who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Cpl. Joshua M. Schmitz, 21, of Spencer, Wis.

Lance Cpl. William C. Koprince Jr., 24, of Lenoir City, Tenn.

Schmitz died December 26 and Koprince on December 27 while conducting combat operations in Al Anbar province, Iraq.  Both Marines were assigned to 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

http://www.onemarinesview.com/one_marines_view/2006/10/marines_make_ir.html

Women fighting in the war on terrorism

Non Commissioned Officer, Commissioned Officer, Sergeant Major, Warrior, Rifleman. These are all terms that describe Marines and women Marines as well. I took the opportunity to correct a couple gentlemen engaged in a conversation about women fighting in Iraq and around the world these days. 

50 Heroes

The Defense link provides an updated site with 50 Heroes from 50 States.  You can read where your young service members are making a difference like the two examples below. Semper Fi-Maj Pain
http://www.defenselink.mil/home/dodupdate/heroes/50heroes/index.html

 

Sgt Workman-Navy Cross recipient

Marine Corps Sgt. Jeremiah Workman
Sgt. Workman and his squad were in Fallujah, Iraq, on Dec. 23, 2004, when he was alerted that insurgents had pinned down Marines in a nearby building. Arriving at the building, Workman laid down a heavy stream of cover fire, allowing some of the Marines to escape. After making sure the extracted wounded Marines were in a safe location, Workman rallied his team and went back to help extricate those still trapped inside.

Angel Flight

If we don't tell, people wont know. If they don't know, they will call us liars when we speak of what these great men and women did for their country. God Bless every single one of them and their families, especially this time of year.

Semper Fidelis (pretty much sums it up for the below)

Maj Pain

Mercy 10 Fallen Angel
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
By Mal James
December 20, 2006
Ramadi, Iraq — The Air Force flight Chrome 24 took off before we had even landed, which was annoying, given that it taxied past 14 other people without bothering to stop and pick them up, and had left them stranded in Iraq along with us. Welcome to Air Force Air. Such is life in Iraq — you do not worry or even bother to complain, because it basically just happens.

Bryan Fluharty Updaqte

Once again you can read the trail from this post

http://www.onemarinesview.com/one_marines_view/2006/12/who_can_help.html#comments

There are many things you can say but doing is the real proof. If you can help this warrior out, you should! An update on Bryan Fluharty below:

If possible, I would like to post an update on your site thanking everyone for all of their support and help for Bryan and his kids. Thank YOU so much for all of your help also.

Maj pain
Yes, Bryan, Jon, Chelsie, Sam, and Jake,... there is a Santa Claus! I can't thank everyone enough for all of your sincere words of encouragement and the help you have shown Bryan and his children. You have made it possible for them to have a great Christmas! I can't wait to see the looks on their faces when they see what is under the tree, and in their stockings for them. I also want to say thank you to Toys for Tots for their help, and ask for you to keep this organization in mind every holiday season so they can help other children ...just like they have done for these

Active Apaches in Afghanistan

December 18, 2006: U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer Philip Learn, and his co-pilot, Captain Brian Hummel, were recently awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroics a year ago in Afghanistan. But there's a lot more to it than that. 

Any Soldier making a difference!

Recently Marty Horn, with Any Soldier met with Allison Barber, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense at an America Supports You.mil conference.  Cooperation between the two organizations is key to continue the success of getting troops support and also sending those items of need.  You too can make a difference by sending a donation to AnySoldier.com easily on the Pay Pal button on the right hand colum. If you’re not sending the troops anything for Christmas, help those that are! Semper Fi