IT HAPPENS EVERY FRIDAY! WERE YOU AWARE? Mornings at the Pentagon
By JOSEPH L. GALLOWAY McClatchy Newspapers
Over the last 12 months, 1,042 soldiers, Marines, sailors and Air Force personnel have given their lives in the terrible duty that is war. Thousands more have come home on stretchers, horribly wounded and > facing months or years in military hospitals.
This week, I'm turning my space over to a good friend and former > roommate, Army Lt. Col.. Robert Bateman, who recently completed a year-long tour > of duty in Iraq and is now back at the Pentagon.
Here's Lt. Col. Bateman's account of a little-known ceremony that fills > the halls of the Army corridor of the Pentagon with cheers, applause and > many tears every Friday morning. It first appeared on May 17 on the Weblog > of media critic and pundit Eric Alterman at the Media Matters for America Website.
"It is 110 yards from the "E" ring to the "A" ring of the Pentagon. > This section of the Pentagon is newly renovated; the floors shine, the > hallway is broad, and the lighting is bright. At this instant the entire length > of the corridor is packed with officers, a few sergeants and some civilians, > all crammed tightly three and four deep against the walls. There are > thousands here.
This hallway, more than any other, is the `Army' hallway. The G3 > offices line one side, G2 the other, G8 is around the corner. All Army. > Moderate conversations flow in a low buzz. Friends who may not have seen each > other for a few weeks, or a few years, spot each other, cross the way and > renew.
Everyone shifts to ensure an open path remains down the center. The > air conditioning system was not designed for this press of bodies in this > area.
The temperature is rising already. Nobody cares. "10:36 hours: The clapping starts at the E-Ring. That is the outermost of the five rings > of the Pentagon and it is closest to the entrance to the building. This clapping is low, sustained, hearty. It is applause with a deep emotion behind it as it moves forward in a wave down the length of the hallway.
"A steady rolling wave of sound it is, moving at the pace of the > soldier in the wheelchair who marks the forward edge with his presence. He is the first. He is missing the greater part of one leg, and some of his > wounds are still suppurating. By his age I expect that he is a private, or > perhaps a private first class.
"Captains, majors, lieutenant colonels and colonels meet his gaze and > nod as they applaud, soldier to soldier. Three years ago when I described one > of these events, those lining the hallways were somewhat different. The applause a little wilder, perhaps in private guilt for not having > shared in the burden ... Yet.
"Now almost everyone lining the hallway is, like the man in the > wheelchair, also a combat veteran. This steadies the applause, but I think deepens > the sentiment. We have all been there now. The soldier's chair is pushed > by, I believe, a full colonel.
"Behind him, and stretching the length from Rings E to A, come more of > his peers, each private, corporal, or sergeant assisted as need be by a > field grade officer.
"11:00 hours: Twenty-four minutes of steady applause. My hands hurt, > and I laugh to myself at how stupid that sounds in my own head. My hands > hurt. Please! Shut up and clap. For twenty-four minutes, soldier after > soldier has come down this hallway - 20, 25, 30.. Fifty-three legs come with > them, and perhaps only 52 hands or arms, but down this hall came 30 solid > hearts.
They pass down this corridor of officers and applause, and then meet > for a private lunch, at which they are the guests of honor, hosted by the generals. Some are wheeled along. Some insist upon getting out of > their chairs, to march as best they can with their chin held up, down this hallway, through this most unique audience. Some are catching > handshakes and smiling like a politician at a Fourth of July parade. More than a couple of them seem amazed and are smiling shyly.
"There are families with them as well: the 18-year-old war-bride > pushing her 19-year-old husband's wheelchair and not quite understanding why > her husband is so affected by this, the boy she grew up with, now a man, > who had never shed a tear is crying; the older immigrant Latino parents who > have, perhaps more than their wounded mid-20s son, an appreciation for the > emotion given on their son's behalf. No man in that hallway, walking or > clapping, is ashamed by the silent tears on more than a few cheeks. An Airborne Ranger wipes his eyes only to better see. A couple of the officers in > this crowd have themselves been a part of this parade in the past.
These are our men, broken in body they may be, but they are our > brothers, and we welcome them home. This parade has gone on, every single > Friday, all year long, for more than four years.
"Did you know that? Don't send it back to me, just send it on its way > as you see fit.
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Wednesday, May 11, 2011
FW- 2 Warnings- Please read! Thanks Luis Floreas!
2 WARNINGS,,, Please Read!!
A MESSAGE FROM THE OFFICE OF ATTORNEY GENERAL
STATE OF MISSISSIPPI , JACKSON , MS ...
SITUATION...
While driving on a rural end of the roadway on Thursday morning, I saw
an infant car seat on the side of the road with a blanket draped over it.
For whatever reason, I did not stop, even though I had all kinds of
thoughts running through my head. But when I got to my destination, I
called the Canton PD and they were going to check it out. But, this is
what the Police advised even before they went out there to check....
"There are several things to be aware of ... gangs and thieves are now
plotting different ways to get a person (mostly women) to stop their
vehicle and get out of the car.
"There is a gang initiation reported by the local Police Department
where gangs are placing a car seat by the road...with a fake baby in
it....waiting for a woman, of course, to stop and check on the abandoned
baby.
"Note that the location of this car seat is usually beside a wooded or
grassy (field) area and the person -- woman -- will be dragged into the
woods, beaten and raped, and usually left for dead. If it's a man,
they're usually beaten and robbed and maybe left for dead, too.
DO NOT STOP FOR ANY REASON!!! DIAL 9-1-1 AND REPORT WHAT YOU SAW, BUT DON 'T EVEN SLOW DOWN.
"IF YOU ARE DRIVING AT NIGHT AND EGGS ARE THROWN AT YOUR WINDSHIELD, DO
NOT STOP TO CHECK THE CAR, DO NOT OPERATE THE WIPER AND DO NOT SPRAY ANY
WATER BECAUSE EGGS MIXED WITH WATER BECOME MILKY AND BLOCK YOUR VISION UP TO 92.5%, AND YOU ARE THEN FORCED TO STOP
BESIDE THE ROAD AND BECOME A VICTIM OF THESE CRIMINALS.
THIS IS A NEW TECHNIQUE USED BY GANGS, SO PLEASE INFORM YOUR FRIENDS
AND RELATIVES.
THESE ARE DESPERATE TIMES AND THESE ARE UNSAVORY INDIVIDUALS WHO WILL
TAKE DESPERATE MEASURES TO GET WHAT THEY WANT."
WARNING # 2
Some knew about the red light on cars, but not the 112.
It was about 1:00 p.m. in the afternoon, and Lauren was driving to visit a friend. An UNMARKED police car pulled up
behind her and put his lights on. Lauren's parents have always told her never to pull over for an unmarked car on
the side of the road, but rather to wait until they get to a gas station, etc.
Lauren had actually listened to her parents advice, and promptly called112 on her cell phone to tell the police
dispatcher that she would not pull over right away. She proceeded to tell the dispatcher that there was an unmarked
police car with a flashing red light on his rooftop behind her. The dispatcher checked to see if there were police
cars where she was and there weren't, and he told her to keep driving, remain calm and that he had back up already
on the way.
Ten minutes later 4 cop cars surrounded her and the unmarked car behind her. One policeman went to her side and the
others surrounded the car behind. They pulled the guy from the car and tackled him to the ground. The man was a
convicted rapist and wanted for other crimes.
I never knew about the 112 Cell Phone feature, but especially for a woman alone in a car, you should not pull over
for an unmarked car. Apparently police have to respect your right to keep going to a safe place.
*Speaking to a service representative at Bell Mobility confirmed that 112 was a direct link to State trooper info.
So, now it's your turn to let your friends know about 112.
You may want to send this to every woman (and man) you know; it may save a life.
This applies to ALL 50 states
PLEASE PASS ALONG TO FRIENDS AND FAMILY, IT CAN SAVE A LIFE...
A MESSAGE FROM THE OFFICE OF ATTORNEY GENERAL
STATE OF MISSISSIPPI , JACKSON , MS ...
SITUATION...
While driving on a rural end of the roadway on Thursday morning, I saw
an infant car seat on the side of the road with a blanket draped over it.
For whatever reason, I did not stop, even though I had all kinds of
thoughts running through my head. But when I got to my destination, I
called the Canton PD and they were going to check it out. But, this is
what the Police advised even before they went out there to check....
"There are several things to be aware of ... gangs and thieves are now
plotting different ways to get a person (mostly women) to stop their
vehicle and get out of the car.
"There is a gang initiation reported by the local Police Department
where gangs are placing a car seat by the road...with a fake baby in
it....waiting for a woman, of course, to stop and check on the abandoned
baby.
"Note that the location of this car seat is usually beside a wooded or
grassy (field) area and the person -- woman -- will be dragged into the
woods, beaten and raped, and usually left for dead. If it's a man,
they're usually beaten and robbed and maybe left for dead, too.
DO NOT STOP FOR ANY REASON!!! DIAL 9-1-1 AND REPORT WHAT YOU SAW, BUT DON 'T EVEN SLOW DOWN.
"IF YOU ARE DRIVING AT NIGHT AND EGGS ARE THROWN AT YOUR WINDSHIELD, DO
NOT STOP TO CHECK THE CAR, DO NOT OPERATE THE WIPER AND DO NOT SPRAY ANY
WATER BECAUSE EGGS MIXED WITH WATER BECOME MILKY AND BLOCK YOUR VISION UP TO 92.5%, AND YOU ARE THEN FORCED TO STOP
BESIDE THE ROAD AND BECOME A VICTIM OF THESE CRIMINALS.
THIS IS A NEW TECHNIQUE USED BY GANGS, SO PLEASE INFORM YOUR FRIENDS
AND RELATIVES.
THESE ARE DESPERATE TIMES AND THESE ARE UNSAVORY INDIVIDUALS WHO WILL
TAKE DESPERATE MEASURES TO GET WHAT THEY WANT."
WARNING # 2
Some knew about the red light on cars, but not the 112.
It was about 1:00 p.m. in the afternoon, and Lauren was driving to visit a friend. An UNMARKED police car pulled up
behind her and put his lights on. Lauren's parents have always told her never to pull over for an unmarked car on
the side of the road, but rather to wait until they get to a gas station, etc.
Lauren had actually listened to her parents advice, and promptly called112 on her cell phone to tell the police
dispatcher that she would not pull over right away. She proceeded to tell the dispatcher that there was an unmarked
police car with a flashing red light on his rooftop behind her. The dispatcher checked to see if there were police
cars where she was and there weren't, and he told her to keep driving, remain calm and that he had back up already
on the way.
Ten minutes later 4 cop cars surrounded her and the unmarked car behind her. One policeman went to her side and the
others surrounded the car behind. They pulled the guy from the car and tackled him to the ground. The man was a
convicted rapist and wanted for other crimes.
I never knew about the 112 Cell Phone feature, but especially for a woman alone in a car, you should not pull over
for an unmarked car. Apparently police have to respect your right to keep going to a safe place.
*Speaking to a service representative at Bell Mobility confirmed that 112 was a direct link to State trooper info.
So, now it's your turn to let your friends know about 112.
You may want to send this to every woman (and man) you know; it may save a life.
This applies to ALL 50 states
PLEASE PASS ALONG TO FRIENDS AND FAMILY, IT CAN SAVE A LIFE...
FW- OOPS... she will learn Thanks Luis flores!
OOPS........SHE WILL LEARN!
NOTE; THIS CAME FROM THE GRANDMOTHER OF AN ACTIVE SERVICEMAN!
Been around before but still pertinent!!!!!!
A Great Senior Moment!
Here's a quote from a government employee who witnessed a recent interaction between an elderly woman and an antiwar protester in a D. C. airport. There were protesters on the train platform handing out pamphlets on the evils of America . I politely declined to take one.
The elderly woman was behind me getting off the escalator and a young (20-ish) female protester offered her a pamphlet, which she politely declined. The young protester put her hand on the old woman's shoulder as a gesture of friendship and in a very soft voice the young lady said, "Lady, don't you care about the children of Iraq?"
The old woman looked up at her and said, "Honey, my father died in France during World War II, I lost my husband in Korea , and a son in Vietnam . All three died so a bitch like you could have the right to stand here and badmouth our country. If you touch me again, I'll stick this umbrella up your ass and open it."
~ God Bless America ~
NOTE; THIS CAME FROM THE GRANDMOTHER OF AN ACTIVE SERVICEMAN!
Been around before but still pertinent!!!!!!
A Great Senior Moment!
Here's a quote from a government employee who witnessed a recent interaction between an elderly woman and an antiwar protester in a D. C. airport. There were protesters on the train platform handing out pamphlets on the evils of America . I politely declined to take one.
The elderly woman was behind me getting off the escalator and a young (20-ish) female protester offered her a pamphlet, which she politely declined. The young protester put her hand on the old woman's shoulder as a gesture of friendship and in a very soft voice the young lady said, "Lady, don't you care about the children of Iraq?"
The old woman looked up at her and said, "Honey, my father died in France during World War II, I lost my husband in Korea , and a son in Vietnam . All three died so a bitch like you could have the right to stand here and badmouth our country. If you touch me again, I'll stick this umbrella up your ass and open it."
~ God Bless America ~
FW- My job search... Thanks Tom & Carolyn Lynch!
My job search............
1. My first job was working in an Orange Juice factory, but I got canned. Couldn't concentrate.
2. Then I worked in the woods as a Lumberjack, but just couldn't hack it, so they gave me the axe.
3. After that, I tried being a Tailor, but wasn't suited for it -- mainly because it was a sew-sew job.
4. Next, I tried working in a Muffler Factory, but that was too exhausting.
5. Then, tried being a Chef - figured it would add a little spice to my life, but just didn't have the thyme.
6. Next, I attempted being a Deli Worker, but any way I sliced it.... couldn't cut the mustard.
7. My best job was a Musician, but eventually found I wasn't noteworthy.
8. I studied a long time to become a Doctor, but didn't have any patience.
9. Next, was a job in a Shoe Factory. Tried hard but just didn't fit in.
10. I became a Professional Fisherman, but discovered I couldn't live on my net income.
11. Managed to get a good job working for a Pool Maintenance Company, but the work was just too draining.
12. So then I got a job in a Workout Center, but they said I wasn't fit for the job..
13. After many years of trying to find steady work, I finally got a job as a Historian - until I realized there was no future in it.
14. My last job was working in Starbucks, but had to quit because it was the same old grind.
15. SO, I TRIED RETIREMENT
AND I FOUND I'M PERFECT FOR THE JOB!
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1. My first job was working in an Orange Juice factory, but I got canned. Couldn't concentrate.
2. Then I worked in the woods as a Lumberjack, but just couldn't hack it, so they gave me the axe.
3. After that, I tried being a Tailor, but wasn't suited for it -- mainly because it was a sew-sew job.
4. Next, I tried working in a Muffler Factory, but that was too exhausting.
5. Then, tried being a Chef - figured it would add a little spice to my life, but just didn't have the thyme.
6. Next, I attempted being a Deli Worker, but any way I sliced it.... couldn't cut the mustard.
7. My best job was a Musician, but eventually found I wasn't noteworthy.
8. I studied a long time to become a Doctor, but didn't have any patience.
9. Next, was a job in a Shoe Factory. Tried hard but just didn't fit in.
10. I became a Professional Fisherman, but discovered I couldn't live on my net income.
11. Managed to get a good job working for a Pool Maintenance Company, but the work was just too draining.
12. So then I got a job in a Workout Center, but they said I wasn't fit for the job..
13. After many years of trying to find steady work, I finally got a job as a Historian - until I realized there was no future in it.
14. My last job was working in Starbucks, but had to quit because it was the same old grind.
15. SO, I TRIED RETIREMENT
AND I FOUND I'M PERFECT FOR THE JOB!
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FW- Two clever nuns... Thanks Tom & Carolyn!
Two clever nuns - This is Brilliant
There were two nuns
One of them was known as Sister Mathematical (SM),
and the other one was known as Sister Logical (SL).
It is getting dark and they are still far away from the convent.
SM: Have you noticed that a man has been following us for the past thirty-eight and a half minutes? I wonder what he wants.
SL: It's logical. He wants to rape us.
SM: Oh, no! At this rate he will reach us in 15 minutes at the most! What can we do?
SL: The only logical thing to do of course is to walk faster.
A little while later...
SM: It's not working.
SL: Of course it's not working. The man did the only logical thing. He started to walk faster, too.
SM: So, what shall we do? At this rate he will reach us in one minute.
SL: The only logical thing we can do is split. You go that way and I'll go this way. He cannot follow us both.
So the man decided to follow Sister Logical.
Sister Mathematical arrives at the convent and is worried about what has happened toSister Logical.
Then Sister Logicalarrives.
SM: Sister Logical! Thank God you are here! Tell me what happened!
SL: The only logical thing happened. The man couldn't follow us both, so he followed me
SM: Yes, yes! But what happened then?
SL: The only logical thing happened. I started to run as fast as I could and he started to run as fast as he could.
SM: And?
SL : The only logical thing happened. He reached me.
SM : Oh, dear! What did you do?
SL : The only logical thing to do. I lifted my dress up.
SM : Oh, Sister! What did the man do?
SL: The only logical thing to do. He pulled down his pants.
SM: Oh, no! What happened then?
SL : Isn't it logical, Sister? A nun with her dress up can run faster than a man with his pants down.
And for those of you who thought it would be dirty,
Say two Hail Marys!
and... of course - forward this mail!
This email was cleaned by emailStripper, available for free from http://www.papercut.biz/emailStripper.htm
There were two nuns
One of them was known as Sister Mathematical (SM),
and the other one was known as Sister Logical (SL).
It is getting dark and they are still far away from the convent.
SM: Have you noticed that a man has been following us for the past thirty-eight and a half minutes? I wonder what he wants.
SL: It's logical. He wants to rape us.
SM: Oh, no! At this rate he will reach us in 15 minutes at the most! What can we do?
SL: The only logical thing to do of course is to walk faster.
A little while later...
SM: It's not working.
SL: Of course it's not working. The man did the only logical thing. He started to walk faster, too.
SM: So, what shall we do? At this rate he will reach us in one minute.
SL: The only logical thing we can do is split. You go that way and I'll go this way. He cannot follow us both.
So the man decided to follow Sister Logical.
Sister Mathematical arrives at the convent and is worried about what has happened toSister Logical.
Then Sister Logicalarrives.
SM: Sister Logical! Thank God you are here! Tell me what happened!
SL: The only logical thing happened. The man couldn't follow us both, so he followed me
SM: Yes, yes! But what happened then?
SL: The only logical thing happened. I started to run as fast as I could and he started to run as fast as he could.
SM: And?
SL : The only logical thing happened. He reached me.
SM : Oh, dear! What did you do?
SL : The only logical thing to do. I lifted my dress up.
SM : Oh, Sister! What did the man do?
SL: The only logical thing to do. He pulled down his pants.
SM: Oh, no! What happened then?
SL : Isn't it logical, Sister? A nun with her dress up can run faster than a man with his pants down.
And for those of you who thought it would be dirty,
Say two Hail Marys!
and... of course - forward this mail!
This email was cleaned by emailStripper, available for free from http://www.papercut.biz/emailStripper.htm
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