This film was made by a 15 year old girl. The following is the hottest thing on the internet and on Fox News today. Lizzie Palmer who put this You Tube program together is 15 years old. There have been over 3,000,000 hits as of this morning. In case you missed it, here it is.
Watch all of it.......and, pass it on!!http://www.youtube.com/v/ervaMPt4Ha0&autoplay=1
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Friday, September 12, 2008
May God bless our Men and Women in Uniform!
THE MARINES WANT THIS TO ROLL ALL OVER THE U.S.Please don't delete this until you send it on, Let's send it around the world. This is a poem being sent from a Marine to his Dad. For those who take the time to read it, you'll see a letter from him to his dad at the bottom.
It makes you truly thankful for not only the Marines, butALL of our troops.
THE MARINE We all came together, Both young and old To fight for our freedom, To stand and be bold. In the midst of all evil, We stand our ground, And we protect our country From all terror around. Peace and not war, Is what some people say. But I'll give my life, So you can live the American way. I give you the right To talk of your peace. To stand in your groups, and protest in our streets. But still I fight on, I don't fuss, I don't whine. I'm just one of the people Who is doing your time. I'm harder than nails, Stronger than any machine. I'm the immortal soldier, I'm a U.S. MARINE! So stand in my shoes, And leave from your home. Fight for the people who hate you, With the protests they've shown. Fight for the stranger, Fight for the young. So they all may have, The greatest freedom you've won Fight for the sick, Fight for the poor Fight for the cripple, Who lives next door. But when your time comes, Do what I've done. For if you stand up for freedom, You'll stand when the fight's done By: Corporal Aaron M. Gilbert, US Marine Corps USS SAIPAN, PERSIAN GULF March 23, 2003
Hey Dad, Do me a favor and label this 'The Marine' and send it to everybody on your email list. Even leave this letter in it. I want this rolling all over the US ; I want every home reading it. Every eye seeing it. And every heart to feel it. So can you please send this for me? I would but my email time isn't that long and I don 't have much time anyway. You know what Dad? I wondered what it would be like to truly understand what JFK said in His inaugural speech. 'When the time comes to lay down my life for my country, I do not cower from this responsibility. I welcome it.' Well, now I know. And I do. Dad, I welcome the opportunity to do what I do. Even though I have left behind a beautiful wife, and I will miss the birth of our first born child, I would do it 70 times over to fight for the place that God has made for my home. I love you all and I miss you very much. I wish I could be there when Sandi has our baby, but tell her that I love her, and Lord willing, I will be coming home soon. Give Mom a great big hug from me and give one to yourself too. Aaron Please let this marine (and all our military) know we care by passing his poem onto your friends even if you don't usually take time to forward mail...do it this time! Thanks, Let's help Aaron's dad spread the word .... FREEDOM isn't FREE Someone pays for you and me.
God bless you!
It makes you truly thankful for not only the Marines, butALL of our troops.
THE MARINE We all came together, Both young and old To fight for our freedom, To stand and be bold. In the midst of all evil, We stand our ground, And we protect our country From all terror around. Peace and not war, Is what some people say. But I'll give my life, So you can live the American way. I give you the right To talk of your peace. To stand in your groups, and protest in our streets. But still I fight on, I don't fuss, I don't whine. I'm just one of the people Who is doing your time. I'm harder than nails, Stronger than any machine. I'm the immortal soldier, I'm a U.S. MARINE! So stand in my shoes, And leave from your home. Fight for the people who hate you, With the protests they've shown. Fight for the stranger, Fight for the young. So they all may have, The greatest freedom you've won Fight for the sick, Fight for the poor Fight for the cripple, Who lives next door. But when your time comes, Do what I've done. For if you stand up for freedom, You'll stand when the fight's done By: Corporal Aaron M. Gilbert, US Marine Corps USS SAIPAN, PERSIAN GULF March 23, 2003
Hey Dad, Do me a favor and label this 'The Marine' and send it to everybody on your email list. Even leave this letter in it. I want this rolling all over the US ; I want every home reading it. Every eye seeing it. And every heart to feel it. So can you please send this for me? I would but my email time isn't that long and I don 't have much time anyway. You know what Dad? I wondered what it would be like to truly understand what JFK said in His inaugural speech. 'When the time comes to lay down my life for my country, I do not cower from this responsibility. I welcome it.' Well, now I know. And I do. Dad, I welcome the opportunity to do what I do. Even though I have left behind a beautiful wife, and I will miss the birth of our first born child, I would do it 70 times over to fight for the place that God has made for my home. I love you all and I miss you very much. I wish I could be there when Sandi has our baby, but tell her that I love her, and Lord willing, I will be coming home soon. Give Mom a great big hug from me and give one to yourself too. Aaron Please let this marine (and all our military) know we care by passing his poem onto your friends even if you don't usually take time to forward mail...do it this time! Thanks, Let's help Aaron's dad spread the word .... FREEDOM isn't FREE Someone pays for you and me.
God bless you!
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Friday, June 06, 2008
Honor our Men and Women in Uniform!
When you see such a banner in a window let's take a moment to remember the sacrifice.
http://us.f831.mail.yahoo.com/ym/ShowLetter?box=Inbox&MsgId=8636_34233216_1086971_3066_2963167_0_86491_3879692_4293800760&bodyPart=2&tnef=&YY=74720&y5beta=yes&y5beta=yes&order=down&sort=date&pos=1&view=a&head=b&VScan=1&Idx=27
http://us.f831.mail.yahoo.com/ym/ShowLetter?box=Inbox&MsgId=8636_34233216_1086971_3066_2963167_0_86491_3879692_4293800760&bodyPart=2&tnef=&YY=74720&y5beta=yes&y5beta=yes&order=down&sort=date&pos=1&view=a&head=b&VScan=1&Idx=27
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
What we have done to earn our desks!
Back in September of 2005, on the first day of school, Martha Cothren, a social studies school teacher at Robinson High School in Little Rock, did something not to be forgotten. On the first day of school, with the permission of the school superintendent, the principal and the building supervisor, she removed all of the desks out of her classroom. When the first period kids entered the room they discovered that there were no desks. Looking around, confused, they asked, 'Ms.! Cothren, where're our desks?' She replied, 'You can't have a desk until you tell me what you have done to earn the right to sit at a desk.' They thought, 'Well, maybe it's our grades.' 'No,' she said. Maybe it's our behavior.' She told them, 'No, it's not even your behavior. And so, they came and went, the first period, second period, third period. Still no desks in the classroom. By early afternoon television news crews had started gathering in Ms. Cothren's classroom to report about this crazy teacher who had taken all the desks out of her room. The final period of the day came and as the puzzled students found seats on the floor of the deskless classroom. Martha Cothren said, 'Throughout the day no one has been able to tell me just what he/she has done to earn the right to sit at the desks that are ordinarily found in this classroom. Now I am going to tell you.' At this point, Martha Cothren went over to the door of her classroom and opened it. Twenty-seven (27) U.S. Veterans, all in uniforms, walked into that classroom, each one carrying a school desk. The Vets began placing the school desks in rows, and then they would walk over and stand alongside the wall. By the time the last soldier had set the final desk in place those kids started to understand, perhaps for the first time in their lives, just how the right to sit at those desks had been earned. Martha said, 'You didn't earn the right to sit at these desks. These heroes did it for you. They placed the desks here for you. Now, it's up to you to sit in them. It is your responsibility to learn, to be good students, to be good citizens. They paid the price so that you could have the freedom to get an education. Don't ever forget it.' By the way, this is a true story....
http://www.snopes.com/glurge/nodesks.asp
http://www.snopes.com/glurge/nodesks.asp
Friday, February 01, 2008
Those Who Steal from Our Men and Women in Uniform
Exploiting America's Veterans
By Chuck Colson
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Have you received one of those letters in the mail—asking you to send money to help wounded veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan?
If so, I hope you ignored it—not because I do not care about our troops, but because I do. It turns out that at least two of these charities are run by people who would rather line their own pockets than help veterans.
One charity is called Help Hospitalized Veterans. The Washington Post reports that this outfit spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on personal expenses for Roger Chapin, who manages the charity. Richard Viguerie, “to whom the charity has awarded millions in fundraising-consulting contracts,” also reportedly used contributions to pay for personal expenses.
What kind of expenses? At least $340,000 in meals, hotels, and entertainment. And Mike Lynch, the executive director, received a loan of $135,000 for a divorce settlement for his ex-wife. Donations also paid for trips to Hawaii, country club memberships, and a million-dollar loan to Viguerie for a start-up initiative at his company. That does not even count the half-a-million-dollar yearly salary Chapin paid himself and his wife!
The second charity, the Coalition to Support America’s Heroes, raised in excess of $168 million from 2004 to 2006. How much did America’s heroes actually get? One-quarter. The rest went to direct-mail fundraising, salaries, and other expenses.
These abuses—both of the people who donated the money and the veterans the funds were supposed to benefit—were so serious that Congress decided to investigate. Retired Army General Tommy Franks, who had lent his name to Coalition to Support America’s Heroes, stopped doing so when he found out how little money was actually helping the veterans.
Last week Congress condemned Chapin for what they called “an intolerable fraud”—squandering money intended for wounded warriors. When asked what would happen if the public found out, Chapin answered, “We’d be out of business.” Let’s hope so!
The military charity scandals illustrate why good character is so important when we are choosing leaders—whether they are leaders of charities or leaders of government. The Old Testament reminds us that leaders are not to pervert justice or take bribes. They should fear God and hate dishonest gain.
All waste and fraud are wrong, but the squandering of money intended for our veterans truly makes me ill. These are the men and women who risked their lives to protect America. To exploit our veterans to enrich oneself is contemptible.
Shockingly, there are not any laws that require charities to tell donors how their contributions are used. This means that when appeals arrive in your mailbox, like those letters with the coin in the window or the dollar bill, watch out. I would take the money, give it to a deserving charity, and throw the letter away.
You can check on charities’ records with a watchdog group—like the American Institute of Philanthropy. Or go to Wallwatchers.org for information on Christian charities. And I urge you to visit the BreakPoint website for a list of fiscally responsible charities that help our men and women in uniform—charities that offer our wounded veterans the help they richly deserve.
By Chuck Colson
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Have you received one of those letters in the mail—asking you to send money to help wounded veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan?
If so, I hope you ignored it—not because I do not care about our troops, but because I do. It turns out that at least two of these charities are run by people who would rather line their own pockets than help veterans.
One charity is called Help Hospitalized Veterans. The Washington Post reports that this outfit spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on personal expenses for Roger Chapin, who manages the charity. Richard Viguerie, “to whom the charity has awarded millions in fundraising-consulting contracts,” also reportedly used contributions to pay for personal expenses.
What kind of expenses? At least $340,000 in meals, hotels, and entertainment. And Mike Lynch, the executive director, received a loan of $135,000 for a divorce settlement for his ex-wife. Donations also paid for trips to Hawaii, country club memberships, and a million-dollar loan to Viguerie for a start-up initiative at his company. That does not even count the half-a-million-dollar yearly salary Chapin paid himself and his wife!
The second charity, the Coalition to Support America’s Heroes, raised in excess of $168 million from 2004 to 2006. How much did America’s heroes actually get? One-quarter. The rest went to direct-mail fundraising, salaries, and other expenses.
These abuses—both of the people who donated the money and the veterans the funds were supposed to benefit—were so serious that Congress decided to investigate. Retired Army General Tommy Franks, who had lent his name to Coalition to Support America’s Heroes, stopped doing so when he found out how little money was actually helping the veterans.
Last week Congress condemned Chapin for what they called “an intolerable fraud”—squandering money intended for wounded warriors. When asked what would happen if the public found out, Chapin answered, “We’d be out of business.” Let’s hope so!
The military charity scandals illustrate why good character is so important when we are choosing leaders—whether they are leaders of charities or leaders of government. The Old Testament reminds us that leaders are not to pervert justice or take bribes. They should fear God and hate dishonest gain.
All waste and fraud are wrong, but the squandering of money intended for our veterans truly makes me ill. These are the men and women who risked their lives to protect America. To exploit our veterans to enrich oneself is contemptible.
Shockingly, there are not any laws that require charities to tell donors how their contributions are used. This means that when appeals arrive in your mailbox, like those letters with the coin in the window or the dollar bill, watch out. I would take the money, give it to a deserving charity, and throw the letter away.
You can check on charities’ records with a watchdog group—like the American Institute of Philanthropy. Or go to Wallwatchers.org for information on Christian charities. And I urge you to visit the BreakPoint website for a list of fiscally responsible charities that help our men and women in uniform—charities that offer our wounded veterans the help they richly deserve.
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Thursday, August 09, 2007
Tuesday, August 07, 2007
How could "Winning the War" be a big problem for any American?
The following story by two writers from the NY Times (yes, the NY Times!) and published in the very liberal "Brookings Institute" should be read and give pause to those who repeatedly state the war in Iraq is lost (Pelosi, Reid, Murtha to name just a few). Stability in Iraq: "A War We Just Might Win" and there is plenty of caution in the story as well.
http://www.brookings.edu/views/op-ed/ohanlon/pollack20070730.htm
Add to this the following from a New York Times poll: the number of Americans who think it was right for the United States to go to war in Iraq rose from 35 percent in May to percent 42 percent in mid-July, rather than promptly report the new poll findings, the paper conducted another poll. As the Times' Janet Elder wrote Sunday, the increased support for the decision to go to war was "counterintuitive" and because it "could not be easily explained, the paper went back and did another poll on the very same subject."
Round Two found that 42 percent of voters think America was right to go into Iraq, while the percentage of those polled who said that it was wrong to go to war had fallen from 61 percent to 51 percent. The headline for Elder's piece read, "Same Question, Different Answer. Hmmm." But it should have read: "America's Paper of Record Out of Touch With American Public."
The WashingtonPost.com ran an interview conducted by Washington Post über-reporter Dan Balz and Chris Cillizza of WashingtonPost.com with Democratic Congressman James Clyburn of South Carolina who also happens to be the House Majority Whip.
Balz asks Clyburn:
"What do Democrats do if General Petraeus comes in in September, and says, 'This is working very, very well at this point. We would be foolish to back away from it'?"
Clyburn responds:
"Well, that would be a real big problem for us, no question about that."
No, Jim. No. That would not be a "real big problem." That would be what most non-medicated people would refer to as "good news."
How could hypothetical good news ("working very, very well at this point") be consider a "big problem" by Clyburn? Is this about politics or is this about winning the war in Iraq? My point isn't to suggest things are great in Iraq or that Bush hasn't blundered at times. But if we honestly look at any war the US has fought in, there have been very edgy moments when all seemed lost! Never from my readings of American History (excluding wars fought from Vietnam forward) have such statments of defeatism, surrender and alarm been raised to such shrill heights when glimmers of hope and success were shared with the public. And these are the people we voted into the majority in our Senate and Congress?
http://www.brookings.edu/views/op-ed/ohanlon/pollack20070730.htm
Add to this the following from a New York Times poll: the number of Americans who think it was right for the United States to go to war in Iraq rose from 35 percent in May to percent 42 percent in mid-July, rather than promptly report the new poll findings, the paper conducted another poll. As the Times' Janet Elder wrote Sunday, the increased support for the decision to go to war was "counterintuitive" and because it "could not be easily explained, the paper went back and did another poll on the very same subject."
Round Two found that 42 percent of voters think America was right to go into Iraq, while the percentage of those polled who said that it was wrong to go to war had fallen from 61 percent to 51 percent. The headline for Elder's piece read, "Same Question, Different Answer. Hmmm." But it should have read: "America's Paper of Record Out of Touch With American Public."
The WashingtonPost.com ran an interview conducted by Washington Post über-reporter Dan Balz and Chris Cillizza of WashingtonPost.com with Democratic Congressman James Clyburn of South Carolina who also happens to be the House Majority Whip.
Balz asks Clyburn:
"What do Democrats do if General Petraeus comes in in September, and says, 'This is working very, very well at this point. We would be foolish to back away from it'?"
Clyburn responds:
"Well, that would be a real big problem for us, no question about that."
No, Jim. No. That would not be a "real big problem." That would be what most non-medicated people would refer to as "good news."
How could hypothetical good news ("working very, very well at this point") be consider a "big problem" by Clyburn? Is this about politics or is this about winning the war in Iraq? My point isn't to suggest things are great in Iraq or that Bush hasn't blundered at times. But if we honestly look at any war the US has fought in, there have been very edgy moments when all seemed lost! Never from my readings of American History (excluding wars fought from Vietnam forward) have such statments of defeatism, surrender and alarm been raised to such shrill heights when glimmers of hope and success were shared with the public. And these are the people we voted into the majority in our Senate and Congress?
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Proud American
Such a photo appeared on the front page of the New York Times's national edition, (see below) a picture of the scene after a bombing in Baghdad. Adding to the chaos of the bombing which killed at least 21 people and injured at least 66, was a shooter, maybe targeting people in the crowd.
An amazing and touching set of photos! Look at the soldier standing upright and alert while everyone else runs! Some news photos are so rich in symbolism they're almost like renaissance paintings in how much they communicate.
Amid all the Iraqis who are running from the gunfire was a U.S. soldier, standing tall, perhaps looking in the direction of the gunshots, not apparently looking for cover.
An Iraqi boy seeks shelter behind the soldier, a member of the 82nd Airborne Division. The boy knows who will not kill him but will save him.
The first picture shows it all. The Lad's face shows he is scared to death, and he's running to the safest spot he can find: this soldier who stands between him and danger.
It would be difficult to stage a picture that provides a more poignant metaphor for the role played by United States in this wretched world.
That Lad just did a virtual essay on "What America Means To Me".
I AM PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN~!!!!!! How 'bout YOU
An amazing and touching set of photos! Look at the soldier standing upright and alert while everyone else runs! Some news photos are so rich in symbolism they're almost like renaissance paintings in how much they communicate.
Amid all the Iraqis who are running from the gunfire was a U.S. soldier, standing tall, perhaps looking in the direction of the gunshots, not apparently looking for cover.
An Iraqi boy seeks shelter behind the soldier, a member of the 82nd Airborne Division. The boy knows who will not kill him but will save him.
The first picture shows it all. The Lad's face shows he is scared to death, and he's running to the safest spot he can find: this soldier who stands between him and danger.
It would be difficult to stage a picture that provides a more poignant metaphor for the role played by United States in this wretched world.
That Lad just did a virtual essay on "What America Means To Me".
I AM PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN~!!!!!! How 'bout YOU
Saturday, July 07, 2007
Now this Woman Loves our Troops and their Families!
http://mfile.akamai.com/21772/wmv/gannett.download.akamai.com/21772/streaming/wmv/hancockportraits.asx
Hopefully you will love this as much as I did. Bob
Hopefully you will love this as much as I did. Bob
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Parade Magazine Article - Gary Sinise
This article was in the May 27, 2007 Parade Magazine.
Memorial Day Mission
This month, while other actors were glued to the TV ratings wars, CSI: NY's Gary Sinise was visiting our troops in Iraq. Just back, he's spending the emorial Day weekend in Washington and co-hosting tonight's National Memorial Day Concert, telecast on PBS.
Sinise, 52, first got involved with the military 25 years ago. His wife had two brothers in Vietnam: One was killed, the other scarred. "America took out its grief over Vietnam on the veterans, " says Sinise, an Oscar nominee as Lt. Dan, the Vietname officer who loses his legs in Forrest Gump. When U.S. troops were sent to Afghanistan and Iraq, he vowed to help. "They need to know they aren't forgotten,"says Sinise. He's visited three times and helped create Operation Iraqi Children, which sends kids' supplies for our troops to distribute. "They can pull into a village and hand out soccer balls." Sinise explains. For ways you can help, visit Parade.com.
This is my kind of Movie star! Thank you Mr. Sinise.
Memorial Day Mission
This month, while other actors were glued to the TV ratings wars, CSI: NY's Gary Sinise was visiting our troops in Iraq. Just back, he's spending the emorial Day weekend in Washington and co-hosting tonight's National Memorial Day Concert, telecast on PBS.
Sinise, 52, first got involved with the military 25 years ago. His wife had two brothers in Vietnam: One was killed, the other scarred. "America took out its grief over Vietnam on the veterans, " says Sinise, an Oscar nominee as Lt. Dan, the Vietname officer who loses his legs in Forrest Gump. When U.S. troops were sent to Afghanistan and Iraq, he vowed to help. "They need to know they aren't forgotten,"says Sinise. He's visited three times and helped create Operation Iraqi Children, which sends kids' supplies for our troops to distribute. "They can pull into a village and hand out soccer balls." Sinise explains. For ways you can help, visit Parade.com.
This is my kind of Movie star! Thank you Mr. Sinise.
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
When Congress says they Support our Troops what exactly does that mean? (A letter from my friend Lee)
Family & Friends,
I believe you will appreciate what the Congressman has to say about the present situation in Iraq from the perspective of a POW, soldier and legislator. Whatever your feelings may be on President Bush and his adminsitrations handling of the war in Iraq, the soldier is not the entity to be left out in the cold, to take the fall, to suffer the consequences. If the newly elected Congress believes that leaving Iraq is in the best interest of the citizens they represent and they prescribe leaving then say so...defund and bring the soldiers back home...that is within their constitutional perogatives. However, to suggest that a non-binding resolution and hamstringing the fighting capabilities of the commanders and soldiers on the ground is supporting the troops, then the world has been stood on it's head and "Work will set you free!" Those who support this strategy are cowards fearing the political fallout as the American public (as recent polls have suggested) really doesn't support removal of the troops or surrendering to the greater risk of Islamic extremism. Rather then deal with it forthrightly they choose to once again let the US Military be the fall guy. Yeah, "We support the troops!" is the biggest political lie of the "cut and run" crowd in Congress...no matter their political party. And don't ask me how I really feel, OK!
Subject: POW U.S. CONGRESSMAN SAM JOHNSON
To Our Troops We Must Remain Always Faithful
By Rep. Sam JohnsonFebruary 16, 2007
(Note: The following is the text of remarks delivered by Rep. Johnson on the floor of the House ofRepresentatives February 16, 2007)
You know, I flew 62 combat missions in the Korean War and 25 missions in the Vietnam War before being shot down.I had the privilege of serving in the United States Air Force for 29 years, attending the prestigious National War College, and commanding two air bases, among other things.
I mention these stories because I view the debate on the floor not just as a U.S. Congressman elected to serve thegood people of the Third District in Texas, but also through the lens of a life-long fighter pilot, student of war, a combat warrior, a leader of men, and a Prisoner of War.
Ironically, this week marks the anniversary that I started a new life - and my freedom from prison in Hanoi. I spent nearly seven years as a Prisoner of War in Vietnam, more than half of that time in solitary confinement. I flew out of Hanoi onFebruary 12, 1973 with other long-held Prisoners of War - weighing just 140 pounds. And tomorrow - 34 years ago, I had
my homecoming to Texas - a truly unspeakable blessing of freedom.
While in solitary confinement, my captors kept me in leg stocks, like the pilgrims... for 72 days... As you can imagine, they had to carry me out of the stocks because I couldn't walk. The following day, they put me in leg irons... for 2 ½ years. That's when you have a tight metal cuff around each ankle - with a foot-long bar connecting the legs.
I still have little feeling in my right arm and my right hand...and my body has never been the same since my nearly 2,500 days of captivity. But I will never let my physical wounds hold me back. Instead, I try to see the silver lining. I say that because in some way ... I'm living a dream...a hope I had for the future. "From April 16, 1966 to February 12, 1973 - I prayed
that I would return home to the loving embrace of my wife, Shirley, and my three kids, Bob, Gini, and Beverly...
And my fellow POWs and I clung to the hope of when - not if - we returned home. We would spend hours tapping on the adjoining cement walls about what we would do when we got home to America. We pledged to quit griping about the way the government was running the war in Vietnam and do something about it... We decided that we would run for office and
try to make America a better place for all.
So - little did I know back in my rat-infested 3 x 8 dark and filthy cell that 34 years after my departure from Hell on Earth...I would spend the anniversary of my release pleading for a House panel to back my measure to support and fully fund thetroops in harm's way....and that just days later I would be on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives surrounded by distinguished veterans urging Congress to support our troops to the hilt.
We POWs were still in Vietnam when Washington cut the funding for Vietnam. I know what it does to morale and missionsuccess. Words cannot fully describe the horrendous damage of the anti-American efforts against the war back home to the guys on the ground. Our captors would blare nasty recordings over the loud speaker of Americans protesting back home...tales
of Americans spitting on Vietnam veterans when they came home... and worse.
We must never, ever let that happen again. The pain inflicted by your country's indifference is tenfold that inflicted by your ruthless captors. Our troops - and their families - want, need and deserve the full support of the country - and the Congress. Moms and dads watching the news need to know that the Congress will not leave their sons and daughters in harm's way
without support.
Since the President announced his new plan for Iraq last month, there has been steady progress. He changed the rules of engagement and removed political protections. There are reports we wounded the number two of Al Qaeda and killed his deputy. Yes, Al Qaeda operates in Iraq. It's alleged that top radical jihadist Al-Sadr has fled Iraq - maybe to Iran. And Iraq's
closed its borders with Iran and Syria.
The President changed course and offered a new plan ...we are making progress. We
must seize the opportunity to move forward, not stifle future success.
Debating non-binding resolutions aimed at earning political points only destroys morale, stymies success, and emboldens the enemy. The grim reality is that this House measure is the first step to cutting funding of the troops...Just ask John Murtha about his 'slow-bleed' plan that hamstrings our troops in harm's way.
Now it's time to stand up for my friends who did not make it home and those who fought and died in Iraq - so I can keep my promise that when we got home we would quit griping about the war and do something positive about it...and we must not allow this Congress to leave these troops like the Congress left us.
Today, let my body serve as a brutal reminder that we must not repeat the mistakes of the past... instead learn from them. We must not cut funding for our troops. We must stick by them. We must support them all the way. ..To our troops we must remain...always faithful.
God bless you and I salute you all. Thank you.
Warmest regards,
Lee
I believe you will appreciate what the Congressman has to say about the present situation in Iraq from the perspective of a POW, soldier and legislator. Whatever your feelings may be on President Bush and his adminsitrations handling of the war in Iraq, the soldier is not the entity to be left out in the cold, to take the fall, to suffer the consequences. If the newly elected Congress believes that leaving Iraq is in the best interest of the citizens they represent and they prescribe leaving then say so...defund and bring the soldiers back home...that is within their constitutional perogatives. However, to suggest that a non-binding resolution and hamstringing the fighting capabilities of the commanders and soldiers on the ground is supporting the troops, then the world has been stood on it's head and "Work will set you free!" Those who support this strategy are cowards fearing the political fallout as the American public (as recent polls have suggested) really doesn't support removal of the troops or surrendering to the greater risk of Islamic extremism. Rather then deal with it forthrightly they choose to once again let the US Military be the fall guy. Yeah, "We support the troops!" is the biggest political lie of the "cut and run" crowd in Congress...no matter their political party. And don't ask me how I really feel, OK!
Subject: POW U.S. CONGRESSMAN SAM JOHNSON
To Our Troops We Must Remain Always Faithful
By Rep. Sam JohnsonFebruary 16, 2007
(Note: The following is the text of remarks delivered by Rep. Johnson on the floor of the House ofRepresentatives February 16, 2007)
You know, I flew 62 combat missions in the Korean War and 25 missions in the Vietnam War before being shot down.I had the privilege of serving in the United States Air Force for 29 years, attending the prestigious National War College, and commanding two air bases, among other things.
I mention these stories because I view the debate on the floor not just as a U.S. Congressman elected to serve thegood people of the Third District in Texas, but also through the lens of a life-long fighter pilot, student of war, a combat warrior, a leader of men, and a Prisoner of War.
Ironically, this week marks the anniversary that I started a new life - and my freedom from prison in Hanoi. I spent nearly seven years as a Prisoner of War in Vietnam, more than half of that time in solitary confinement. I flew out of Hanoi onFebruary 12, 1973 with other long-held Prisoners of War - weighing just 140 pounds. And tomorrow - 34 years ago, I had
my homecoming to Texas - a truly unspeakable blessing of freedom.
While in solitary confinement, my captors kept me in leg stocks, like the pilgrims... for 72 days... As you can imagine, they had to carry me out of the stocks because I couldn't walk. The following day, they put me in leg irons... for 2 ½ years. That's when you have a tight metal cuff around each ankle - with a foot-long bar connecting the legs.
I still have little feeling in my right arm and my right hand...and my body has never been the same since my nearly 2,500 days of captivity. But I will never let my physical wounds hold me back. Instead, I try to see the silver lining. I say that because in some way ... I'm living a dream...a hope I had for the future. "From April 16, 1966 to February 12, 1973 - I prayed
that I would return home to the loving embrace of my wife, Shirley, and my three kids, Bob, Gini, and Beverly...
And my fellow POWs and I clung to the hope of when - not if - we returned home. We would spend hours tapping on the adjoining cement walls about what we would do when we got home to America. We pledged to quit griping about the way the government was running the war in Vietnam and do something about it... We decided that we would run for office and
try to make America a better place for all.
So - little did I know back in my rat-infested 3 x 8 dark and filthy cell that 34 years after my departure from Hell on Earth...I would spend the anniversary of my release pleading for a House panel to back my measure to support and fully fund thetroops in harm's way....and that just days later I would be on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives surrounded by distinguished veterans urging Congress to support our troops to the hilt.
We POWs were still in Vietnam when Washington cut the funding for Vietnam. I know what it does to morale and missionsuccess. Words cannot fully describe the horrendous damage of the anti-American efforts against the war back home to the guys on the ground. Our captors would blare nasty recordings over the loud speaker of Americans protesting back home...tales
of Americans spitting on Vietnam veterans when they came home... and worse.
We must never, ever let that happen again. The pain inflicted by your country's indifference is tenfold that inflicted by your ruthless captors. Our troops - and their families - want, need and deserve the full support of the country - and the Congress. Moms and dads watching the news need to know that the Congress will not leave their sons and daughters in harm's way
without support.
Since the President announced his new plan for Iraq last month, there has been steady progress. He changed the rules of engagement and removed political protections. There are reports we wounded the number two of Al Qaeda and killed his deputy. Yes, Al Qaeda operates in Iraq. It's alleged that top radical jihadist Al-Sadr has fled Iraq - maybe to Iran. And Iraq's
closed its borders with Iran and Syria.
The President changed course and offered a new plan ...we are making progress. We
must seize the opportunity to move forward, not stifle future success.
Debating non-binding resolutions aimed at earning political points only destroys morale, stymies success, and emboldens the enemy. The grim reality is that this House measure is the first step to cutting funding of the troops...Just ask John Murtha about his 'slow-bleed' plan that hamstrings our troops in harm's way.
Now it's time to stand up for my friends who did not make it home and those who fought and died in Iraq - so I can keep my promise that when we got home we would quit griping about the war and do something positive about it...and we must not allow this Congress to leave these troops like the Congress left us.
Today, let my body serve as a brutal reminder that we must not repeat the mistakes of the past... instead learn from them. We must not cut funding for our troops. We must stick by them. We must support them all the way. ..To our troops we must remain...always faithful.
God bless you and I salute you all. Thank you.
Warmest regards,
Lee
If we pack up and leave Iraq the war is over, right? Wrong. Dead wrong.
6 charged with plot on Army post in N.J.
By WAYNE PARRY, Associated Press Writer
FORT DIX, N.J. - Six Islamic militants from Yugoslavia and the Middle East were arrested on charges of plotting to attack the Fort Dix Army post and "kill as many soldiers as possible authorities said Tuesday.
In conversations secretly recorded by an FBI informant over the past year, the men talked about killing in the name of Allah and attacking U.S. warships that might dock in Philadelphia, according an FBI criminal complaint.
"This was a serious plot put together by people who were intent on harming Americans," U.S. Attorney Christopher Christie said Tuesday. "We're very gratified federal law enforcement was able to catch these people before they acted and took innocent life."
One suspect reportedly spoke of using rocket-propelled grenades to kill at least 100 soldiers at a time, according to court documents.
"If you want to do anything here, there is Fort Dix and I don't want to exaggerate, and I assure you that you can hit an American base very easily," suspect Mohamad Ibrahim Shnewer said in one conversation secretly recorded by a government informant, according to the criminal complaint.
"It doesn't matter to me whether I get locked up, arrested or get taken away," a suspect identified as Serdar Tatar said in another recorded conversation. "Or I die, it doesn't matter. I'm doing it in the name of Allah."
Another suspect, Eljvir Duka, was recorded saying: "In the end, when it comes to defending your religion, when someone is trying attacks your religion, your way of life, then you go jihad."
White House spokesman Tony Snow said Tuesday there is "no direct evidence" that the men had ties to international terrorism.
The FBI was tipped off in January 2006 when a shopkeeper alerted agents about a "disturbing" video he had been asked to copy onto a DVD, according to court documents. The video showed 10 men in their early 20s "shooting assault weapons at a firing range ... while calling for jihad and shouting in Arabic 'Allah Akbar' (God is great)," the complaint said.
Six of the 10 men on the tape were identified as those arrested in the plot. They were arrested Monday trying to buy automatic weapons from an FBI informant, officials said.
Christie said one of the suspects worked at Super Mario's Pizza in nearby Cookstown and delivered pizzas to the base.
"What concerns us is, obviously, they began conducting surveillance and weapons training in the woods and were discussing killing large numbers of soldiers," said Justice Department spokesman Dean Boyd.
The six were scheduled to appear in U.S. District Court in Camden later Tuesday to face charges of conspiracy to kill U.S. servicemen, said Michael Drewniak, a spokesman for the U.S. Attorney's Office in New Jersey.
Four of the men were born in the former Yugoslavia, one in Jordan and one in Turkey, officials said. All had lived in the United States for years. Three were in the country illegally; two had green cards allowing them to stay permanently; the other is a U.S. citizen.
Besides Shnewer, Tatar and Eljvir Duka, the other men were identified in court papers as Dritan Duka and Shain Duka. Checks with Immigration and Customs Enforcement show that the Dukas were illegally in the U.S., according to FBI complaints unsealed with their arrests.
Five of the men lived in Cherry Hill, a Philadelphia suburb about 20 miles from Fort Dix.
"They were planning an attack on Fort Dix in which they would kill as many soldiers as possible," Drewniak said.
A law enforcement official, speaking on condition of anonymity because documents in the case remain sealed, said the attack was stopped in the planning stages. The men also allegedly conducted surveillance at other area military institutions, including Fort Monmouth, a U.S. Army installation, the official said.
By March 2006, the group had been infiltrated by an informant who developed a relationship with Shnewer, according to court documents. The informant secretly recorded meetings in August in which Shnewer said he and the others were part of a group planning to attack a U.S. military base, the complaints said.
Shnewer named Fort Dix and a nearby Navy base, explaining that the group "could utilize six or seven jihadists to attack and kill at least one hundred soldiers by using rocket-propelled grenades" or other weapons, the complaints said. The Navy base was not named in the papers.
Fort Dix is used to train soldiers, particularly reservists. It also housed refugees from
Kosovo in 1999.
The base has been closed to the public since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks and has heavily armed guards at entrances, yet the main road through neighboring Cookstown cuts through the base and is accessible to the public.
The description of the suspects as "Islamic militants" renewed fears in New Jersey's Muslim community. Hundreds of Muslim men from New Jersey were rounded up and detained by authorities in the months following the 2001 attacks, but none was connected to that plot.
"If these people did something, then they deserve to be punished to the fullest extent of the law," said Sohail Mohammed, a lawyer who represented many of the detainees. "But when the government says 'Islamic militants,' it sends a message to the public that Islam and militancy are synonymous."
"Don't equate actions with religion," he said.
___
Associated Press Writers Matt Apuzzo and Ben Feller in Washington, Geoff Mulvihill in Mount Laurel, Tom Hester Jr. in Trenton and Jeffrey Gold in Newark contributed to this story.
By WAYNE PARRY, Associated Press Writer
FORT DIX, N.J. - Six Islamic militants from Yugoslavia and the Middle East were arrested on charges of plotting to attack the Fort Dix Army post and "kill as many soldiers as possible authorities said Tuesday.
In conversations secretly recorded by an FBI informant over the past year, the men talked about killing in the name of Allah and attacking U.S. warships that might dock in Philadelphia, according an FBI criminal complaint.
"This was a serious plot put together by people who were intent on harming Americans," U.S. Attorney Christopher Christie said Tuesday. "We're very gratified federal law enforcement was able to catch these people before they acted and took innocent life."
One suspect reportedly spoke of using rocket-propelled grenades to kill at least 100 soldiers at a time, according to court documents.
"If you want to do anything here, there is Fort Dix and I don't want to exaggerate, and I assure you that you can hit an American base very easily," suspect Mohamad Ibrahim Shnewer said in one conversation secretly recorded by a government informant, according to the criminal complaint.
"It doesn't matter to me whether I get locked up, arrested or get taken away," a suspect identified as Serdar Tatar said in another recorded conversation. "Or I die, it doesn't matter. I'm doing it in the name of Allah."
Another suspect, Eljvir Duka, was recorded saying: "In the end, when it comes to defending your religion, when someone is trying attacks your religion, your way of life, then you go jihad."
White House spokesman Tony Snow said Tuesday there is "no direct evidence" that the men had ties to international terrorism.
The FBI was tipped off in January 2006 when a shopkeeper alerted agents about a "disturbing" video he had been asked to copy onto a DVD, according to court documents. The video showed 10 men in their early 20s "shooting assault weapons at a firing range ... while calling for jihad and shouting in Arabic 'Allah Akbar' (God is great)," the complaint said.
Six of the 10 men on the tape were identified as those arrested in the plot. They were arrested Monday trying to buy automatic weapons from an FBI informant, officials said.
Christie said one of the suspects worked at Super Mario's Pizza in nearby Cookstown and delivered pizzas to the base.
"What concerns us is, obviously, they began conducting surveillance and weapons training in the woods and were discussing killing large numbers of soldiers," said Justice Department spokesman Dean Boyd.
The six were scheduled to appear in U.S. District Court in Camden later Tuesday to face charges of conspiracy to kill U.S. servicemen, said Michael Drewniak, a spokesman for the U.S. Attorney's Office in New Jersey.
Four of the men were born in the former Yugoslavia, one in Jordan and one in Turkey, officials said. All had lived in the United States for years. Three were in the country illegally; two had green cards allowing them to stay permanently; the other is a U.S. citizen.
Besides Shnewer, Tatar and Eljvir Duka, the other men were identified in court papers as Dritan Duka and Shain Duka. Checks with Immigration and Customs Enforcement show that the Dukas were illegally in the U.S., according to FBI complaints unsealed with their arrests.
Five of the men lived in Cherry Hill, a Philadelphia suburb about 20 miles from Fort Dix.
"They were planning an attack on Fort Dix in which they would kill as many soldiers as possible," Drewniak said.
A law enforcement official, speaking on condition of anonymity because documents in the case remain sealed, said the attack was stopped in the planning stages. The men also allegedly conducted surveillance at other area military institutions, including Fort Monmouth, a U.S. Army installation, the official said.
By March 2006, the group had been infiltrated by an informant who developed a relationship with Shnewer, according to court documents. The informant secretly recorded meetings in August in which Shnewer said he and the others were part of a group planning to attack a U.S. military base, the complaints said.
Shnewer named Fort Dix and a nearby Navy base, explaining that the group "could utilize six or seven jihadists to attack and kill at least one hundred soldiers by using rocket-propelled grenades" or other weapons, the complaints said. The Navy base was not named in the papers.
Fort Dix is used to train soldiers, particularly reservists. It also housed refugees from
Kosovo in 1999.
The base has been closed to the public since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks and has heavily armed guards at entrances, yet the main road through neighboring Cookstown cuts through the base and is accessible to the public.
The description of the suspects as "Islamic militants" renewed fears in New Jersey's Muslim community. Hundreds of Muslim men from New Jersey were rounded up and detained by authorities in the months following the 2001 attacks, but none was connected to that plot.
"If these people did something, then they deserve to be punished to the fullest extent of the law," said Sohail Mohammed, a lawyer who represented many of the detainees. "But when the government says 'Islamic militants,' it sends a message to the public that Islam and militancy are synonymous."
"Don't equate actions with religion," he said.
___
Associated Press Writers Matt Apuzzo and Ben Feller in Washington, Geoff Mulvihill in Mount Laurel, Tom Hester Jr. in Trenton and Jeffrey Gold in Newark contributed to this story.
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Sunday, March 18, 2007
Congress needs to stop the politics and begin supporting our Men and Women in Uniform
Sent:Tuesday, March 13, 200710:43 AM
Subject: usma1955: FROM THE CHIEF OF CHAPLAINS WRAMC
I have had enough and am going to give my perspective on the news aboutWalterReedArmyMedicalCenter. Please understand that I am speakingfor myself and I am responsible for my thoughts alone.
The news media and politicians are making it sound like Walter Reed is a terrible place and the staff here has been abusing our brave wounded soldiers; what abunch of bull!
I am completing my 24th year of service in the Army next month so youdecide for yourself if I have the experience to write about this topic.I have been the senior clinical chaplain at Walter Reed for four yearsand will leave to go back to the infantry this summer. I supervise thechaplain staff inside Walter Reed that cares for the 200 inpatients, the650+ daily outpatients from the war who come to us for medical care, the4000+ staff, and over 3000 soldiers and their families that come forclinical appointments daily.
Walter Reed has cared for over 5500 woundedfrom the war. I cannot count the number of sick and non-battle injuredthat have come through over that timeframe. The staff at this facilityhas done an incredible job at the largestUSmilitary medical center withthe worst injured of the war. We have cared for over 400 amputees andtheir families. I am privileged to serve the wounded, their families,and our staff.
When the news about building 18 broke I was on leave. I was in shockwhen the news broke. We in the chaplains office in Walter Reed, as wellas the majority of people at Walter Reed, did not know anyone was inbuilding 18. I didn't even know we had a building 18. How can thathappen? Walter Reed is over 100 acres of 66 buildings on twoinstallations. Building 18 is not on the installation of Walter Reed andwas believed to be closed years ago by our department. The fact thatsome leaders in the medical brigade that is in charge of the outpatientsput soldiers in there is terrible. That is why the company commander,first sergeant, and a group of platoon leaders and platoon sergeantswere relieved immediately.
They failed their soldiers and the Army. Thecommanding general was later relieved (more about this) and his sergeantmajor has been told to move on--if he gets to. The brigade sergeant major was relieved and more relief's are sure to come and need to. Asany leader knows, if you do not take care of soldiers, lie, and then tryto cover it up, you are not worthy of the commission you hold and shouldbe sent packing. I have no issue, and am actually proud, that they did relieve the leaders they found who knew of the terrible conditions someof our outpatients were enduring.
The media is making it sound likethese conditions are rampant at Walter Reed and nothing could be furtherfrom the truth. We need improvements and will now get them. I hate it that it took this to make it happen. The Army and the media made MG Weightman, our CG, out to be the problemand fired him. This was a great injustice. He was only here for six months, is responsible for military medical care in the 20 Northeaststates, wears four "hats" of responsibilities, and relies on his subordinate leaders to know what is happening in their areas of responsibilities.
He has a colonel that runs the hospital (my hospitalcommander), a colonel that runs the medical brigade (where theoutpatient wounded are assigned and supposedly cared for), and a colonel that is responsible to run the garrison and installation. What people don't know is that he was making many changes as he became aware of themand had requested money to fix other places on the installation. TheArmy did not come through until four months after he asked for themoney, remember that he was here only six months, which was only daysbefore they relieved him. His leaders responsible for outpatient care did not tell him about conditions in building 18. He has been an incredible leader who really cares about the wounded, their families,and our staff. I cannot say the same about a former commander, who was my first commander here at Walter Reed, and definitely knew about many problems and is in the position to fix them and he did not.
MG Weightmanalso should not be held responsible for the military's unjust andinefficient medical board system and the problems in the VA system. We lost a great leader and passionate man who showed he had the guts tomake changes and was doing so when he was made the scapegoat for others.
What I am furious about is that the media is making it sound like all of Walter Reed is like building 18. Nothing could be further from thetruth. No system is perfect but the medical staff provides great care in this hospital.
What needs to be addressed, and finally will, is thebureaucratic garbage that all soldiers are put through going intomedical boards and medical retirements. Congress is finally giving the money that people have asked for at Walter Reed for years to fix placeson the installations and address shortcomings.
What they don't want youto know is Congress caused many problems by the BRAC process saying theywere closing Walter Reed. We cannot keep nor attract all the qualitypeople we need at Walter Reed when they know this place will close inseveral years and they are not promised a job at the new hospital.
Then they did this thing call A76 where they fired many of the workers herefor a company of contractors, IAP, to get a contract to provide careoutside the hospital proper. The company, which is responsible formaintenance, only hired half the number of people as there wereoriginally assigned to maintenance areas to save money. Walter Reed leadership fought the A76 and BRAC process for years but lost. Congressinstituted the BRAC and A76 process; not the leadership of Walter Reed.
What I wish everyone would also hear is that for every horror story weare now hearing about in the media that truly needs to be addressed, youare not hearing about the hundreds of other wounded and injured soldierswho tell a story of great care they received. You are not hearing about the incredibly high morale of our troops and the fact that most of them want to go back, be with their teammates, and finish the job properly.You should be very proud of the wounded troopers we have at Walter Reed.They make me so proud to be in the Army and I will fight to get their story out.
I want you to hear the whole story because our wounded, their families,our Army, and the nation need to know that many in the media and select politicians have an agenda. Forget agendas and make the changes thathave been needed for years to fix problems in every military hospitaland the VA system.
The poor leaders will be identified and sent packing and good riddance to them. I wish the same could be said for thepoliticians and media personalities who are also responsible but now want it to look like they are very concerned. Where have they been for the last four years?
I am ashamed of what they all did and the pain ithas caused many to think that everyone is like that. Please know that you are not hearing the whole story. Please know that there are thousands of dedicated soldiers and civilian medical staff caring foryour soldiers and their families. When I leave here I will end up deploying. When soldiers in my division have to go to Walter Reed from the battlefield, I know they will get great medical care. I pray that you know the same thing. God bless all our troops and their families wherever they may be.
God bless you all,
+Chaplain John L. Kallerson
Senior Chaplain Clinician WalterReedArmyMedicalCenter
Subject: usma1955: FROM THE CHIEF OF CHAPLAINS WRAMC
I have had enough and am going to give my perspective on the news aboutWalterReedArmyMedicalCenter. Please understand that I am speakingfor myself and I am responsible for my thoughts alone.
The news media and politicians are making it sound like Walter Reed is a terrible place and the staff here has been abusing our brave wounded soldiers; what abunch of bull!
I am completing my 24th year of service in the Army next month so youdecide for yourself if I have the experience to write about this topic.I have been the senior clinical chaplain at Walter Reed for four yearsand will leave to go back to the infantry this summer. I supervise thechaplain staff inside Walter Reed that cares for the 200 inpatients, the650+ daily outpatients from the war who come to us for medical care, the4000+ staff, and over 3000 soldiers and their families that come forclinical appointments daily.
Walter Reed has cared for over 5500 woundedfrom the war. I cannot count the number of sick and non-battle injuredthat have come through over that timeframe. The staff at this facilityhas done an incredible job at the largestUSmilitary medical center withthe worst injured of the war. We have cared for over 400 amputees andtheir families. I am privileged to serve the wounded, their families,and our staff.
When the news about building 18 broke I was on leave. I was in shockwhen the news broke. We in the chaplains office in Walter Reed, as wellas the majority of people at Walter Reed, did not know anyone was inbuilding 18. I didn't even know we had a building 18. How can thathappen? Walter Reed is over 100 acres of 66 buildings on twoinstallations. Building 18 is not on the installation of Walter Reed andwas believed to be closed years ago by our department. The fact thatsome leaders in the medical brigade that is in charge of the outpatientsput soldiers in there is terrible. That is why the company commander,first sergeant, and a group of platoon leaders and platoon sergeantswere relieved immediately.
They failed their soldiers and the Army. Thecommanding general was later relieved (more about this) and his sergeantmajor has been told to move on--if he gets to. The brigade sergeant major was relieved and more relief's are sure to come and need to. Asany leader knows, if you do not take care of soldiers, lie, and then tryto cover it up, you are not worthy of the commission you hold and shouldbe sent packing. I have no issue, and am actually proud, that they did relieve the leaders they found who knew of the terrible conditions someof our outpatients were enduring.
The media is making it sound likethese conditions are rampant at Walter Reed and nothing could be furtherfrom the truth. We need improvements and will now get them. I hate it that it took this to make it happen. The Army and the media made MG Weightman, our CG, out to be the problemand fired him. This was a great injustice. He was only here for six months, is responsible for military medical care in the 20 Northeaststates, wears four "hats" of responsibilities, and relies on his subordinate leaders to know what is happening in their areas of responsibilities.
He has a colonel that runs the hospital (my hospitalcommander), a colonel that runs the medical brigade (where theoutpatient wounded are assigned and supposedly cared for), and a colonel that is responsible to run the garrison and installation. What people don't know is that he was making many changes as he became aware of themand had requested money to fix other places on the installation. TheArmy did not come through until four months after he asked for themoney, remember that he was here only six months, which was only daysbefore they relieved him. His leaders responsible for outpatient care did not tell him about conditions in building 18. He has been an incredible leader who really cares about the wounded, their families,and our staff. I cannot say the same about a former commander, who was my first commander here at Walter Reed, and definitely knew about many problems and is in the position to fix them and he did not.
MG Weightmanalso should not be held responsible for the military's unjust andinefficient medical board system and the problems in the VA system. We lost a great leader and passionate man who showed he had the guts tomake changes and was doing so when he was made the scapegoat for others.
What I am furious about is that the media is making it sound like all of Walter Reed is like building 18. Nothing could be further from thetruth. No system is perfect but the medical staff provides great care in this hospital.
What needs to be addressed, and finally will, is thebureaucratic garbage that all soldiers are put through going intomedical boards and medical retirements. Congress is finally giving the money that people have asked for at Walter Reed for years to fix placeson the installations and address shortcomings.
What they don't want youto know is Congress caused many problems by the BRAC process saying theywere closing Walter Reed. We cannot keep nor attract all the qualitypeople we need at Walter Reed when they know this place will close inseveral years and they are not promised a job at the new hospital.
Then they did this thing call A76 where they fired many of the workers herefor a company of contractors, IAP, to get a contract to provide careoutside the hospital proper. The company, which is responsible formaintenance, only hired half the number of people as there wereoriginally assigned to maintenance areas to save money. Walter Reed leadership fought the A76 and BRAC process for years but lost. Congressinstituted the BRAC and A76 process; not the leadership of Walter Reed.
What I wish everyone would also hear is that for every horror story weare now hearing about in the media that truly needs to be addressed, youare not hearing about the hundreds of other wounded and injured soldierswho tell a story of great care they received. You are not hearing about the incredibly high morale of our troops and the fact that most of them want to go back, be with their teammates, and finish the job properly.You should be very proud of the wounded troopers we have at Walter Reed.They make me so proud to be in the Army and I will fight to get their story out.
I want you to hear the whole story because our wounded, their families,our Army, and the nation need to know that many in the media and select politicians have an agenda. Forget agendas and make the changes thathave been needed for years to fix problems in every military hospitaland the VA system.
The poor leaders will be identified and sent packing and good riddance to them. I wish the same could be said for thepoliticians and media personalities who are also responsible but now want it to look like they are very concerned. Where have they been for the last four years?
I am ashamed of what they all did and the pain ithas caused many to think that everyone is like that. Please know that you are not hearing the whole story. Please know that there are thousands of dedicated soldiers and civilian medical staff caring foryour soldiers and their families. When I leave here I will end up deploying. When soldiers in my division have to go to Walter Reed from the battlefield, I know they will get great medical care. I pray that you know the same thing. God bless all our troops and their families wherever they may be.
God bless you all,
+Chaplain John L. Kallerson
Senior Chaplain Clinician WalterReedArmyMedicalCenter
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