Wednesday Hero

This Post Was Suggested By Michael
MstSgt. Raul Perez Benavidez 63 years old from El Campo, Texas Military Assistance Command, Vietnam Studies and Observations Group          August 5, 1935 – November 29, 1998 Raul (Roy) Benavidez has one of the most amazing stories. Injured in combat and declared to never walk again after stepping on a landmine. Not only did he walk again but he was able to get back to the battlefield where he was declared dead only to come back from 37 separate bayonet, bullet and shrapnel wounds to be awarded the Medal Of Honor. You can read more on this hero's amazing story here These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives just so others may get to enjoy freedom. For that I am proud to call them Hero.


Those Who Say That We're In A Time When There Are No Heroes, They Just Don't Know Where To Look This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

NASA remembers

"A man's reach should exceed his grasp, or what's heaven for?"

Remembering the Challenger Crew

The NASA family lost seven of its own on the morning of Jan. 28, 1986, when a booster engine failed, causing the Shuttle Challenger to break apart just 73 seconds after launch.

In this photo from Jan. 9, 1986, the Challenger crew takes a break during countdown training at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. Left to right are Teacher-in-Space payload specialist Sharon Christa McAuliffe; payload specialist Gregory Jarvis; and astronauts Judith A. Resnik, mission specialist; Francis R. (Dick) Scobee, mission commander; Ronald E. McNair, mission specialist; Mike J. Smith, pilot; and Ellison S. Onizuka, mission specialist.

Image Credit: NASA

Hillary Clinton and Benghazi Testimony

Even as I am on an unplanned sabbatical from my writing (but still paying attention!) others are continuing to write, and provide insightful commentary of current events.  Last week the horrific murders of Ambassador Stevens, Sean Smith, Glen Doherty and Tyrone Woods in Benghazi were in the political spotlight - albeit temporarily - as Hillary Clinton, the MIC's SoS finally appeared before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

From War On Terror News:

Friday, January 25, 2013

Clinton testimony to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee

 

00:38: SEN Menendez (D-NJ) welcoming Hillary Clinton and heaping praise on her. 


[WOTN note: Some of the following is paraphrased and some is quotes.  Some of the quotes are not in quotation marks.  Effort was made to capture the essence of the words, in order to allow readers to find the specific portions of most signifcant interest to them.  Some key phrases are emphasized, as Hillary acknowledges that Al-Qaeda is still and will be a threat for a long time.


In this testimony, Hillary avoids stating why no action was taken in the 7 hour attack and at times refuses responsibility for inaction, while at other times proclaiming that she takes full responsibility.  She does indicate that Rice was using Admin approved talking points, but feebly attempts to defend it.]


10:46: SEN Corker (R-TN) welcoming Hillary, the "aftermath" of "Benghazi represents the worst of Washington," "there was spin from the White House," "it represented of the denial of the world as it really is," "it also represents an awakening," "the spiking of the ball" and the thinking that al-Qaeda was defeated when we killed bin Laden, that the world is a much more dangerous place today.

*[video from C-Span]*

16:46: SecState Clinton (D) pointing out past attacks, that she immediately began talking to people about talking, began investigation the next day.  The attack "was a part of broader strategic challenge" to the United States.  "I was there on the night of 9/11/2012."  I was talking to everyone, and the military did not deny support.  I was already there dealing with the attack on the US Embassy in Cairo.  Everyone has been talking about things ever since, and when people stopped talking and finished writing about the talking, I told people to start writing some more about making changes.  "The Arab revolutions have shattered" the stability of the Middle East.  We're working with the Algerians to prevent this from happening again.  I talked to a bunch of Arab leaders after the 9/11/2012 attacks.  Then I talked to them some more.  "We cannot afford to retreat now."
 
"It is our responsibility to make sure they have the resources they need."  The State Department has 70,000 people working in 275 locations around the world....

There is more, much more, (including the video) of this damning indictment over at WOTN.  GO READ.  

This administration may be hoping that the deaths of these fine Americans  - and the totally inappropriate response to it - will be soon forgotten.  It won't.  Now more than ever it is crucial that we ALL continue to pay attention.

Clinton: Unfit for office

"What does it matter at this point?" 

These men are WHY what Hillary Clinton et al failed to do in Benghazi will ALWAYS matter.  Period.

Go to This Aint Hell here for their articulate thoughts.  Me?  I am so damn furious, I can't string two words together.

Hillary Clinton proves - yet again - how unfit for office she is.

Pay attention, America, and NEVER forget.

Wednesday Hero

Gen. Herbert Norman Schwarzkopf, Jr. 78 years old from Tampa, Florida August 22, 1934 -      December 27, 2012       On December 27 we lost 4-Star General Norman Schwarzkopf. Younger people may not really know who he was, but those of us 30 and older will remember him during the Gulf War. And rather than try and condense his life and career into a small post, which is impossible by the way, I've found a couple of links that do a much better job telling the story of this hero.   You can read more here and here


These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives just so others may get to enjoy freedom. For that I am proud to call them Hero. Those Who Say That We're In A Time When There Are No Heroes, They Just Don't Know Where To Look This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

Some Gave All: Kingsman David Shaw

Kingsman David Shaw dies from wounds sustained in Afghanistan

It is with great sadness that the Ministry of Defence must confirm that Kingsman David Robert Shaw from 1st Battalion The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment died in Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham on Wednesday 16 January 2013 from wounds sustained in Afghanistan. 

Kingsman Shaw sustained a gunshot wound when his checkpoint came under attack from insurgents in the Lashkar Gah district of Helmand province on Monday 14 January 2013.

Kingsman David Shaw, from Barrow-in-Furness, was born on 13 October 1989 and joined the Army in February 2008. He successfully completed the Combat Infantryman’s Course at the Infantry Training Centre in Catterick and was posted to 1st Battalion The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment.

Following this, Kingsman Shaw deployed to British Army Training Unit Suffield, Canada, in the summer of 2009 with Corunna Company where he was employed as a rifleman in a mechanised platoon. He then conducted pre-deployment training for Operation Herrick 12 and deployed with Corunna Company in March 2010 to Nad ‘Ali district in southern Helmand.

Kingsman Shaw performed strongly with 10 Platoon working out of Patrol Base Silab. Upon returning to the UK, Kingsman Shaw remained with Corunna Company and successfully qualified as an Assault Pioneer.
As the battalion prepared to deploy back to Afghanistan on Operation Herrick 17 in October 2012, Kingsman Shaw was the voice of experience for the junior soldiers, deploying not only as an Assault Pioneer but also as a qualified sharpshooter. All new soldiers in Corunna Company looked up to Kingsman Shaw and followed the excellent example that he set.

This was demonstrated when he was involved in an incident in Afghanistan where 4 local children had fallen into a canal following a vehicle accident. The children were taken by local nationals to the nearest security forces checkpoint where Kingsman Shaw did not hesitate to administer first aid to the children; his swift actions and assistance to the medics were of the highest calibre.

Faultless in his motivation and resolve, Kingsman Shaw was usually at the centre of any outbreak of morale and could be guaranteed to put a smile on the face of any Kingsman.

The family of Kingsman Shaw said:

David was a much-loved son and brother who was proud to have served his country in the 1st Battalion The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment. He loved his family and friends and would always make time for a hug for everybody. He enjoyed playing football, running, and was an Arsenal fan. He also followed his local team, Barrow AFC. He has touched many lives. He will be missed and never forgotten....

Go here and learn more about how this Fallen Hero LIVED from those who know and love him.

ALWAYS remembered.  ALWAYS honoured.  

Politicians work for US!

Repeat after me:  our politicians are our employees, and our governments are supposed to work for US.  

From War On Terror News:

01/11/2013

Let's establish some rules for government here...

 To begin with, let's get this straight: the government is the servant of the people, not the other way around.  We're making the government, reluctantly, because its a necessary evil, but we're limiting it because well, history proves that government usually abuses power (Preamble).

So, we're going to select Representatives by election, and they are the ones that are going to write all laws.  If they suggest a law, the President then has a choice to make it a law or not.  The Representatives are going to the people we think are the most level-headed, and smartest, and most like us.  ONLY Our Representatives can suggest increasing taxes on us, and they're the ones that will tell the government how much it can spend. 

We get to decide when we hold elections, through Our State governments, and the politicians have to work, at least once a year, in December.  Since we already have governments (States), and they're closer to us than you are, we're going to have Our Representatives at those governments send Senators to also keep you in line.  We'll pay you for the work you do.
Our Representatives can fire the President if he breaks the law or becomes a tyrant.

Don't be taxing us into the poorhouse.  Don't be spending Our Money like drunken politicians.  You have to tell us how every dime is spent.  All your taxes have to be uniform to all.  You can't be playing favorites.  

Only Our Representatives can borrow money.

Our Representatives will make the rules for the Military, and pay Our Troops and build places for training and living of the Troops.  And before you go starting wars, you have to convince Our Representatives that we should go to war.  No one gets to use Our Troops against us, unless there's a rebellion.

You can't make laws against things that already happened.  Any laws you make are only about the future, and no one is guilty of breaking the law before it was made...

It is long past time when our politicians need remindeing that they serve US, and that we are NOT their personal servants nor banks.

War on Terror has much more, and it IS a must read here.  Until and unless all of us PAY ATTENTION, the politicians will continue to believe they have free rein,  and the future consequences will become ever more dire.

PAY ATTENTION.

Some Gave All: Sapper Richard Reginald Walker

 Sapper Richard Walker

 Sapper Richard Reginald Walker killed in Afghanistan 

  It is with great sadness that the Ministry of Defence must confirm that Sapper Richard Reginald Walker from 28 Engineer Regiment, attached to 21 Engineer Regiment as part of the Task Force Helmand Engineer Group, was killed in Afghanistan on Monday 7 January 2013.

Sapper Walker was shot in an apparent ‘insider attack’ by a member of the Afghan National Army (ANA) at Patrol Base Hazrat in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand province on Monday 7 January 2013. He was working on a construction task with other military engineers from his Troop, as part of the preparations to hand the camp over to Afghan security forces, when the Afghan soldier turned his weapon on ANA and ISAF soldiers at the base. The incident resulted in a number of casualties, all of whom were extracted to the Bastion Role 3 medical facility where Sapper Walker was pronounced dead.

Sapper Richard Walker was born on 7 February 1989 in Leeds. He worked as a technician for Vauxhall before joining the Army in July 2008. Upon joining the Royal Engineers he completed his basic training at the Army Training Regiment Bassingbourn before moving on to Gibraltar Barracks, Minley, where he completed his Phase Two Combat Engineer Training. He then moved to the Defence School of Transport Leconfield where he completed his trade training to become a driver.

He joined his first unit, 28 Engineer Regiment in Hameln, Germany, in September 2009, deploying with them to Canada and then Kenya on major exercises. His Troop, from 42 Field Squadron, was attached to 73 Armoured Engineer Squadron (73 AES) based in Ripon, North Yorkshire for Operation Herrick 17. His Troop joined 73 AES in August 2012 and deployed with the Squadron to Afghanistan at the start of September as part of the Task Force Helmand Engineer Group.

Sapper Walker was a valued member of 73 AES and deployed on every single Troop task. He was a popular and well respected member of his Troop and upon joining the Squadron he quickly gained friends across the spectrum of ranks; a testament to his likeable character and willingness to join in.

An avid football fan, Sapper Walker represented his Regiment at football and spent endless hours in the gym. He even managed to spend some time trying to learn to play the guitar albeit one chord at a time. Above all he was a devoted father and would talk for hours on end about his love for his daughter Lilly-Faith who sadly he only knew for 18 months before his deployment.

Sapper Walker was destined to go on to greater things – his willingness to learn, unswerving sense of duty and personal motivation to pursue a successful career would have seen him progress far. Above all he will be remembered for his charisma and team spirit; a true all-rounder, his loss will be felt for years to come.
Sapper Walker’s family paid the following tribute to their son and brother:

Richard held two things close to his heart – his daughter and his colleagues in the Army. A proud, patriotic man, he died doing a job he loved, supporting his friends.

Lieutenant Colonel Chas Story RE, Commanding Officer, 28 Engineer Regiment, said:

Sapper Walker was the epitome of a true Sapper, one who would roll up his sleeves and get on with the task in hand no matter what, but importantly he would do it with great humour. He made sure that he made the most of every opportunity, both in the Army and at home; it is without doubt that he had a lot to offer and a bright future. He was hugely respected as a fit, professional soldier with a massive character. This was his first tour of Afghanistan but anyone would have thought he was a seasoned expert, such was his ability and professionalism.

Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, including his young daughter Lilly-Faith, at this very difficult time....

 Go here and spend time learning how Sapper Walker lived and loved, in the words of those who know and love him.

From the Telegraph:

He added: ''I knew Richie for three years and was privileged to be able to call him my best mate. He was thoughtful, funny and a big character in any group he found himself amongst, but he always put others first.

''He was very wise and mature for such a young lad. I have so many good memories from over the last three years but the one that stands out the most for me was the day that he christened his daughter Lilly-Faith.

''He was so proud of her; that day I remember him standing that extra inch taller and his smile beaming more than usual.

''You will be sorely missed brother, gone but never forgotten until we meet again at the bar in the sky.''

Always remembered.  ALWAYS honoured.

Rest In Peace, young Warrior.

Wednesday Hero

Lt. Marcus Robinson Lt. Marcus Robinson, Riverine Squadron (RIVRON) 2, instructs small boat maneuvers during a training exercise aboard the amphibious transport dock ship USS Green Bay (LPD 20). Green Bay is part of the Peleliu Amphibious Ready Group and with the embarked 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (15th MEU) is deployed in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. Photo courtesy U.S.Navy taken by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Elizabeth Merriam These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives just so others may get to enjoy freedom. For that I am proud to call them Hero. Those Who Say That We're In A Time When There Are No Heroes, They Just Don't Know Where To Look


 This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

Rest In Peace PARA Hero Stephen Hood

Ex Para Stephen Hood, pictured here drinking after the battle of Goose Green, has been found dead in his car

From Daily Mail:

Iconic hero of Goose Green kills himself hours after Argentina reignites hostilities: 'Sabre-rattling' may have triggered Para's post-traumatic stress

• Ex-Para who featured Goose Green victory footage found dead in car
• Stephen Hood died just hours after row over islands reignited
• His widow has now urged politicians to stop their sabre-rattling

By Mark Nicol
PUBLISHED: 23:10 GMT, 5 January 2013


A Falklands War hero distressed by recent flare-ups in hostilities between Britain and Argentina has been found dead in his car.

Ex-Para Stephen Hood – who featured in iconic film footage celebrating victory at the battle of Goose Green – died just hours after Argentine president Cristina de Kirchner reignited the sovereignty row over the islands. Yesterday, his distraught widow Carol urged politicians to stop their sabre-rattling for the sake of traumatised veterans.

She told The Mail on Sunday: ‘What do the politicians achieve with their to-ing and fro-ing? Nothing. They should let it lie and leave it to the people of the Falkland Islands to determine their future.

‘Tragically the war never goes away and Stephen found that difficult. He wouldn’t say much to me about it but I knew something was wrong. I used to call it his dead eyes, as if he was holding something back.’

Father-of-two Hood, known as ‘Hank’ to Army colleagues, was found dead on Thursday six miles from his home in Rhyl, North Wales.

Police believe the 52-year-old died from carbon monoxide poisoning....

There are more pictures, details and video footage from Goose Green at the Daily Mail here.

There are no words of comfort to be offered here; only prayers from my heart that this PARA hero finds the peace he so richly deserves.

[Bratnote:  I have written a few times about the Falklands.  For one of those - with background - go here]

Wednesday Hero

Capt. Daniel Inouye 88 years old from Honolulu, Hawaii 442nd Regimental Combat Team June 28, 2010 – December 17, 2012        On December 17 Sen. Daniel Inouye of Hawaii passed away. Before he was a Senator he served in the United States Army from 1941-1946. From '41-'43 he served as a medical volunteer.    It wasn't until 1943 when the military dropped it's ban in Japanese serving that Inouye was able to enlist. Within the first year he was promoted to Sergent and later to second lieutenant.     In 1945, Lt. Inouye was seriously injured near San Terenzo, Italy. After being shot in the stomach he proceeded to destroy a machine gun nest. After being informed of his wounds, and refusing treatment, he lead a charge on a second machine gun nest. During an assault on a third nest Lt. Inouye was hit in the arm by a grenade which resulted in the loss of his right arm.    On June 21, 2000 President Clinton awarded Sen. Inouye the Medal Of Honor for his action in 1945:    Second Lieutenant Daniel K. Inouye distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action on 21 April 1945, in the vicinity of San Terenzo, Italy. While attacking a defended ridge guarding an important road junction, Second Lieutenant Inouye skillfully directed his platoon through a hail of automatic weapon and small arms fire, in a swift enveloping movement that resulted in the capture of an artillery and mortar post and brought his men to within 40 yards of the hostile force. Emplaced in bunkers and rock formations, the enemy halted the advance with crossfire from three machine guns. With complete disregard for his personal safety, Second Lieutenant Inouye crawled up the treacherous slope to within five yards of the nearest machine gun and hurled two grenades, destroying the emplacement. Before the enemy could retaliate, he stood up and neutralized a second machine gun nest. Although wounded by a sniper’s bullet, he continued to engage other hostile positions at close range until an exploding grenade shattered his right arm. Despite the intense pain, he refused evacuation and continued to direct his platoon until enemy resistance was broken and his men were again deployed in defensive positions. In the attack, 25 enemy soldiers were killed and eight others captured. By his gallant, aggressive tactics and by his indomitable leadership, Second Lieutenant Inouye enabled his platoon to advance through formidable resistance, and was instrumental in the capture of the ridge. Second Lieutenant Inouye’s extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit on him, his unit, and the United States Army.     You can read more about Sen. Daniel Inouye here

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives just so others may get to enjoy freedom. For that I am proud to call them Hero. Those Who Say That We're In A Time When There Are No Heroes, They Just Don't Know Where To Look This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.