The families of those killed are first and foremost in my thoughts and prayers. I am also keeping the wounded and all survivors in my prayers as well. The days ahead will be difficult for all of them.
There's really nothing more I should say at this time.
Can anyone point Remmel out to me? LOL
This is a package going to a Soldier on his third deployment to Afghanistan (second deployment for me to send him a little love) who will be getting out of the Army to go to college. HOOAH!
I figured the last box should have something a little special on it. And I'm sure he'll get some razzing but probably not as much as he got when I sent him this. Interestingly (or disturbing) enough I get requests for this now. Is that a good reputation to have?
US energy stimulus dollars go overseas
By Edward Luce in Washington
Published: October 29 2009 19:50 | Last updated: October 29 2009 19:50
More than eight out of 10 US stimulus dollars spent on wind energy farms have gone to foreign companies, according to a report by the Washington-based Investigative Reporting Workshop, a non-profit journalist group.
Of the $1.05bn handed out in grants so far – most of it since August – 84 per cent has gone to European companies, with the US subsidiary of Iberdrola Renewables, the Spanish company, taking the largest share.
Obama administration officials say the $22bn set aside in the $787bn stimulus for alternative energy funding is designed to create or retain jobs and stimulate economic activity. But the report, shared with the Financial Times, shows the majority of jobs are likely to have been created overseas.
The 11 US-based wind farms that received cash grants from the US Treasury have imported 695 of the 982 wind turbines that are to be installed. Since the manufacture of turbines is by far the largest employment generator in wind energy, it is estimated to have created 4,500 jobs overseas – far in excess of the jobs created in the US from these grants.
The IRW report comes amid a broader controversy over the jobs impact of the economic stimulus, with the White House on Friday set to provide an estimate of how many jobs the stimulus has created or saved so far. On Wednesday, the White House strongly rebutted claims by the Associated Press that the administration had overstated by a sixth the number of jobs created by the stimulus.
AP cited several examples, including that of a company working with the Federal Communications Commission, which the Obama administration said created 4,231 jobs, but that AP said had only resulted in 1,000 new positions. The White House said the agency had exaggerated its findings and had analysed only 2 per cent of stimulus spending. “This story draws misleading conclusions from a handful of examples,” said the White House.
The IRW’s findings on the results of stimulus spending on wind energy, which could exceed $3bn when the next round of grants are disbursed, highlights the weak condition of the private US alternative energy sector. The administration may face similar public relations problems when it announces awards to other sectors, including solar power, in the coming months. Even though US companies invented solar photovoltaic technology, the US accounts for only 10 per cent of the global solar component market.
During the election campaign, Mr Obama said that investments in alternative energy would create a new generation of green jobs. But the IRW report, which can be found atinvestigativereportingworkshop.org, illustrates how difficult this may be to achieve.
I am proud to announce that the owner and employees of n-Space have asked to be the sponsor of all costs required in order to have a stained glass artist make a window and install it in the Chapel at Fort Carson in Memory of all Fallen Soldiers from 4-4 Brigade. 4-4 is newly flagged at Fort Carson after having recently been relocated there from Fort Hood and had no Memorial Window in the Chapel. Sadly we all know that the Brigade has had many of their Heroes Killed in Action on their current deployment to Afghanistan.
Jen from n-Space contacted me on behalf of the company a few days after we had issued the call for assistance in replacing the lost personal items of the survivors of the Battle at COP Keating. By the time I received Jen's email we had received all of the donations we needed for the Soldiers' personal items. I did have a couple of other projects I wanted to try to make happen. One was the Memorial window. I had sent out a handful of emails asking people and groups if they would be interested in donating towards that project when I received Jen's email.
Jen and I exchanged a additional emails and phone calls. She was so patient with me. I have no idea about gaming beyond Pong, Centipede and PacMan - yeah, I'm that old. So wrapping my brain around what n-Space does was way over my head beyond the basic concept that they design video games. LOTS of video games for LOTS of different systems.
I put Jen in touch with 4-4 Brigade Commander's wife. The two of them have worked together to iron out all of the details. I cannot tell you how much it means to me, to Jen and Dan and all of the employees of n-Space and to the Soldiers and family members of 4-4 Brigade that this has become a reality.
A HUGE HOOAH to n-Space's owners, management and employees for taking on such an important and meaningful task. Because of n-Space and their generosity the Fallen Heroes of 4-4 Brigade will forever be remembered in a meaningful way.
Thank you Jen, Dan and all of you great Americans at n-Space.
So all of you gamers out there (well and the non gamers, too) - go become a fan of and follow n-Space on their Facebook page. Go! Now! Leave a comment for them, too, please. Here are a few of the 100 employees you will be thanking. By the way, they are holding signs that say "I give a shit" and "n-Space gives a shit". AWESOME!
SGT Joshua Brennan was a beloved son, brother, nephew and cousin who is missed by all who knew him and loved him. SGT Brennan was shot multiple times on 25 October 2007 in an ambush during Operation Rock Avalanche. He succumbed to his wounds the following day.
Josh's father, Mike Brennan, has told me about the day Josh and his Battle Buddies were ambushed. It is one of the most harrowing stories I've heard. During the ambush the Taliban attempted to drag Josh away. His fellow Soldiers immediately came to his rescue. SPC Hugo "DOC" Mendoza gave his life attempting to save Josh from the enemy. Others on his team continued to fight the enemy and were successful in getting Josh back. One of those men has been nominated for the Medal of Honor for his actions that day.
A family member made this incredibly moving video to honor Josh. You'll need tissues to watch this.
My heart is very heavy today, on this second anniversary of Josh's death. Please take a minute to pray for Josh and his family. And say a special prayer for his cousin, PVT Joseph Brennan and his family, too. Joseph recently completed basic training and Airborne School. His family took him to the airport this morning (talk about timing) to board a flight to Italy where he will join Josh's unit, 173rd, 2-503, Battle Company and will deploy before the end of the year to Afghanistan.
So on this day of remembrance I send my love to the Brennan family. They are some of the greatest people I have ever had the privilege to know. Josh's father, Mike, and his mother, Janice, both served in the Army. Their son, Josh, gave his life defending our freedom. Now Joseph proudly wears the uniform of the US Army.
Rest in Peace Josh. Keep Joseph safe.
Read more about Josh here, here, here and on his mother's MySpace page here
There is a story about his dad and one of his uncles here.
And go here to read about and see photos of Joseph Brennan's graduation from Airborne School.
SPC Hugo "DOC" Mendoza died of wounds sustained when he came in contact with enemy forces using RPG, machine gun and small arms fire during Operation Rock Avalanche combat operations on Oct 25,2007 in the Korengal Valley, Afghanistan.
SPC Mendoza's family recalls him as a very giving person; a man who treated everyone the way he wanted to be treated. SPC Mendoza planned to become a firefighter once he left the Army.
He was laid to rest at Fort Bliss, TX.
We will NEVER forget you "DOC". Rest in Peace brave warrior.
23 March 1978 – 25 October 2007
Battle Company, 2nd Battalion (Airborne), 503rd Infantry Regiment
SPC Hugo Victor Mendoza was born on 23 March 1978 in California and spent most of his childhood in El Paso, Texas. He enlisted in the U.S. Army on 31 May 2005.
During his time in service, SPC Hugo Victor Mendoza completed Basic Infantry Training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, Medical Advanced Individual Training at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, and Airborne School at Fort Benning, Georgia. On 6 March 2006, SPC Mendoza reported to his first duty station at Caserma, Ederle, Vicenza, Italy. He was assigned to the 173d Airborne Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Battalion (Airborne), 503rd Infantry – The ROCK. SPC Mendoza was then assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company with duty as a combat medic in Battle Company. He immediately found his home among the combat warriors of 1st Platoon – The Celts. SPC Mendoza trained, deployed and fought side by side with his band of brothers in support of OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM VIII. SPC Mendoza distinguished himself in The ROCK as a heroic medic, charismatic Paratrooper, and an overall altruistic human being.
SPC Mendoza’s awards include: The Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Combat Medical Badge, and Basic Parachutist Badge. SPC Mendoza has been submitted for the Bronze Star Medal for Service in support of OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM VIII.
Please go here and read more about what SPC Mendoza's family and friends had to say about this great American Hero.
SSG Larry Rouge was a husband, father, son, brother, nephew and friend to many. His father, Ismael Rougle is a Vietnam Veteran who served 25 years in the Army. SSG Rougle joined the Army in 1999 at age 17. He was killed by insurgent small arms fire on 23 October 2007 at age 25 during Operation Rock Avalanche. He was on his sixth deployment since joining the Army.
SSG Rouge was laid to rest on 8 November 2007 at Arlington National Cemetery. I encourage you to click on the link for Arlington National Cemetery to read more about SSG Rougle. A great American Hero who left those who loved him way too soon.
We will NEVER forget you SSG Rougle.
Additional links about SSG Rougle here and here.
Last night, on the second anniversary of his death, several of SSG Rougle's battle buddies joined together to remember him, SPC Hugo Mendoza and SGT Joshua Brennan (who I will post about tomorrow and Monday)
I can't say enough about the medevac teams, medics, Corpsman and all of those involved in treating and evacuating our wounded from the battlefield to the Combat Hospitals. I've had several Soldiers tell me about the unbelievable acts of courage the pilots and medics have done to get them out of harms way on on to those in the hospitals who are first rate, too.
God Bless them all and keep them safe.
From The Washington Post
It was March 26, 1970. Location: A few Godforsaken acres of jungle, pocked by B-52 bomb craters, and now a stage where American tanks fired blasts of sharpened buckshot at an enemy who fought back from subterranean bunkers and could not be dislodged.
Tuesday in the White House Rose Garden, almost 40 years later, President Obama
is scheduled to pay tribute to Gutierrez and about 80 other Vietnam veterans who fought in the savage, unnamed battle, which resulted in the rescue of a company of trapped fellow soldiers.
Gutierrez's outfit -- Alpha Troop, First Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment -- has been awarded a Presidential Unit Citation for its "extraordinary heroism and conspicuous gallantry" in the fight, and the soldiers have been summoned to be honored.
Please go read the the entire article and join me in being thankful for ALL of the men and women who have served and continue to serve our great nation.
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