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  • The persistence of memory

    59 bodies passed in front of me over the span of six months. All were enclosed within aluminum transfer cases, all were draped with immaculate and heavily starched star-spangled banners, and all passed by under the salutes of those who trod across a few acres of noisy concrete to pay their respects. They all wore a uniform. They all died for a

  • Assignments not sought

    Rarely does a military professional's career consist only of assignments sought. Orders are issued, orders are followed and lives are changed. Such is the lot of military life. To those serving or who will serve, I predict there will be a time when you will be asked, or ordered, to go somewhere or do something seemingly undesirable. The use of the

  • DJs, Rock and Roll and the Club: A Test of Leadership

    The officers' club, or O'Club, in Aschaffenburg, Germany, was the focal point for social and professional gatherings. It was ideally located among unit barracks and family housing areas. The building containing the O'Club was large and impressive. It had once been the O'Club for the German army, and if one looked closely, one could still discern

  • "Americanness"

    On this 235th birthday of our nation, amid fireworks and parades, it is appropriate to take a few minutes to reflect on who we are, as a people - as Americans. The identifier "American" in this sense means citizens of the United States of America. I began work on this article several weeks past, because, as is with most Americans, I anticipate

  • Financial challenges stymie Gunter Fitness Center improvements

    QuestionI have been trying very hard to embrace the fit to fight mentality and improve my fitness and well-being even though I am a civilian. I also have to try and maintain my fitness for my Reserve duty. However, the conditions at the Gunter gym make it very difficult to do that. Because the air is so hot, stagnant and humid in the main gym, the

  • In defense of fathers who serve

    As Father's Day approaches, I would like to offer some personal thoughts about fathers who serve in the military. This article is written particularly for fathers who are now deployed or had to be away for frequent periods of time in the past. In my own case, and I have the best wife in the world, from time to time, when speaking of my son's

  • We all were there

    The head of the Snake has been severed, This raid could not be weathered, Bin Laden is dead, for he could not hide, Only a few were sent, but we all stood at their side, The fight is not over, but justice was done,We will continue to serve until this war is won. ~ Kamena The special operators assigned the mission to find and then capture or kill

  • Spouses: You are not alone

    My heart is heavy on this spouse appreciation day.I heard some sad news on one of the military spouse blogs, spousebuzz.com. A contributor named Jessica was so overwhelmed by being an Army wife that she tried to take her own life. Her husband's post-traumatic stress disorder was too much for her to face, and she took a drastic step.I've never met

  • Hard days: Advice to leaders suffering from emotional wounds

    My Mind's FearOnce, my warrior's heart knew no fear,Leading men at the tip of the spear,Our mission was to fight, for all that was right, good, and dear,I now stand alone; comrades and buddies no longer near,Fighting with memories that will not die,When the phantoms return, my mind cries,But one reality remains ever clear,This once brave

  • Those who also serve

         We call them brats, dependents and family members. They determine the size of our quarters and one's priority to even live in government housing. They are uprooted, transplanted, partake in sponsored activities and are the responsibility of the service member. They did not enlist nor were they drafted. They were born into the military. I was
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