Heavy hearts across @USMC.
Dayhoff Carroll: www.kevindayhoff.org Westminster Md Online - The Winchester Report, by Kevin Earl Dayhoff: Runner, writer, artist, fire and police chaplain Mindless ramblings of a runner, journalist, and artist Westminster, Hampstead, Manchester, Taneytown, Union Bridge, Mount Airy and Sykesville in Carroll Co, Maryland... and Frederick Co. Westminster Fire Dept., Firefighters, police officers, Carroll Co Sheriff's Office, Md St Police. Chaplain duties, Religion, Grace Lutheran Ch.
Monday, March 21, 2016
God bless the family of SSgt Louis F. Cardin - killed in Iraq 19 Mar. Semper Fidelis
Heavy hearts across @USMC.
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Time to rethink Afghanistan September 25, 2012 by Kevin E. Dayhoff
The Tentacle: www.thetentacle.com http://www.thetentacle.com/author.cfm?MyAuthor=41
Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://kevindayhoffart.blogspot.com/ or http://kevindayhoffart.com/ = http://www.kevindayhoff.com/
Kevin Dayhoff Westminster: http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/ or http://www.westgov.net/ = www.kevindayhoff.org
Kevin Dayhoff's The New Bedford Herald: http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/ = www.newbedfordherald.net
Tumblr: Kevin Dayhoff Banana Stems www.kevindayhoff.tumblr.com/
Smurfs: http://babylonfluckjudd.blogspot.com/
Google profile: https://profiles.google.com/kevindayhoff/
E-mail: kevindayhoff(at)gmail.com
My http://www.explorecarroll.com/ columns appear in the copy of the Baltimore Sunday Sun that is distributed in Carroll County: https://subscribe.baltsun.com/Circulation/
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Friday, March 30, 2012
Half of Army's senior NCOs to face separation boards
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The Tentacle: www.thetentacle.com http://www.thetentacle.com/author.cfm?MyAuthor=41
Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://kevindayhoffart.blogspot.com/ or http://kevindayhoffart.com/ = http://www.kevindayhoff.com/
Kevin Dayhoff Westminster: http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/ or http://www.westgov.net/ = www.kevindayhoff.org
Kevin Dayhoff's The New Bedford Herald: http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/ = www.newbedfordherald.net
Tumblr: Kevin Dayhoff Banana Stems www.kevindayhoff.tumblr.com/
Smurfs: http://babylonfluckjudd.blogspot.com/
Google profile: https://profiles.google.com/kevindayhoff/
E-mail: kevindayhoff(at)gmail.com
My http://www.explorecarroll.com/ columns appear in the copy of the Baltimore Sunday Sun that is distributed in Carroll County: https://subscribe.baltsun.com/Circulation/
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Wednesday, November 9, 2011
DoD Sec Panetta Urges Employers to Hire Veterans
DoD Sec Panetta Urges Employers to Hire Veterans
WASHINGTON, Nov. 7, 2011 – Ensuring combat veterans who have sacrificed for their country have job opportunities when they return to civilian life is a national responsibility with roles for government and private sector alike, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta said today in New York.
http://www.veteransnewsnow.com/2011/11/07/dod-sec-panetta-urges-employers-to-hire-veterans/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=dod-sec-panetta-urges-employers-to-hire-veterans
By Donna Miles
http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/search/label/MML%20Municipal%20League:
League’s Fall Legislative Conference at the Cambridge Maryland Hyatt Regency
Chesapeake Bay, including a “Complete 2011 Fall Conference Information (.pdf)”
packet, visit the MML website at www.mdmunicipal.org.
*****
Thursday, April 1, 2010
O'Reilly steps forward to pay fallen Marine family’s court-ordered expenses
Cable news host steps forward to pay fallen Marine family’s court-ordered expenses
The O'Reilly Factor host Bill O’Reilly stepped forward and said, “That is an outrage… I will pay Mr. Snyder’s obligation.”
March 31 2010
By Kevin Dayhoff By Kevin Dayhoff http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2010/03/oreilly-steps-forward-to-pay-fallen.html
Fox News cable news host Bill O'Reilly has said that he will pay the $16,500 legal bill for the father of fallen U.S. Marine Lance Corporal Matthew A. Snyder, of Westminster who was killed instantly March 3, 2006 while on assignment in Al Qaim, Iraq.
Protesters led by Fred Phelps, of the Topeka, Kansas Westboro Baptist Church protested at Lance Cpl. Snyder’s funeral at his funeral service which was held in his home parish of St. John Catholic Church in Westminster on March 10, 2006.
According to news reports, Phelps and the church have picketed a number of military funerals around the country claiming that the deaths of U.S. military personnel in Afghanistan and Iraq are punishment for the nation’s tolerance of homosexuality.
In response to the protests, Lance Cpl. Snyder’s father, Albert Snyder, of York, Pa., sued Phelps, his daughters Shirley Phelps-Roper and Rebecca Phelps-Davis, and the church and won an $11 million damage award for emotional distress and invasion of privacy in October 2007.
The judge subsequently reduced the amount to $5 million. However, the verdict was thrown out on appeal in the Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit in Maryland, which last Friday ordered Snyder to pay the costs of Phelps’ appeal.
Meanwhile the Fourth Circuit’s decision has been appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court which agreed earlier in the month to consider whether or not the protesters’ messages, which include phrases such as ‘Thank God for dead soldiers,’ are protected by the “time, place and manner” precedent under the First Amendment which addresses the competing privacy and religious rights of the mourners.
Sean Summers and Craig Trebilcock, the York, Pennsylvania attorneys representing Snyder are doing the work for free; however the filing requirements for an appeal the U.S. Supreme Court can be expensive. A situation only exacerbated the decision last Friday that Snyder pay the court expenses involved in the Fourth Circuit’s decision, which has subsequently made national news.
Various legal experts have said in news reports that the Fourth Circuit had the discretion to hold off on making a ruling until the Supreme Court made its decision.
Meanwhile, a web site, MatthewSnyder.org, has been created by the law firm of Barley Snyder, LLC, who is representing the Snyder family for folks who would like to donate money for the Snyder family's continuing legal expenses.
In a phone interview this afternoon with this reporter, a representative of the firm said that all the money collected will go towards the expenses that will be incurred for preparing the case for the U.S. Supreme Court, “which can be pretty hefty…
“Not the attorney fees, because we are representing the family for free,” she added.
O’Reilly steps forward.
Yesterday on “The O'Reilly Factor,” O’Reilly stepped forward and said, “That is an outrage… I will pay Mr. Snyder’s obligation. I am not going to let this injustice stand…
“It is obvious that they were disturbing the peace by disrupting the funeral. They should have been arrested, but our system is so screwed up that loons are allowed to run wild. Snyder is fighting the good fight, and he is taking his case to the Supreme Court as he should. We are behind him 100 percent,” opined O’Reilly on the broadcast.
The U.S. Supreme Court will hear Snyder’s appeal during its October term and with a verdict will be announced in the middle of next year.
As for media reports that O’Reilly has volunteered to pay the appellate expenses ordered by the Fourth Circuit, the representative from Barley Snyder, LLC said that the phone has ringing off the hook as a result of those reports…
She added that she had also heard that (O’Reilly has said he will contribute) but cannot confirm at this point that he has indeed written a check, “Although I am sure he is good to his word.”
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20100331 sdosmked Cable news host to pay to Snyder family court exps
Labels: Free Speech, Free Speech protesters, Iraq War, Iraq War Carroll Co Reaction, Iraq War CCo Cpl Snyder KIA 2Mar06, Journalists O'Reilly-Bill, Supreme Court of the US
*****
Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/ = http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://kevindayhoffart.blogspot.com/ or http://kevindayhoffart.com/ = http://www.kevindayhoff.com/ Kevin Dayhoff Westminster: http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/ or http://www.westgov.net/ = www.kevindayhoff.org Twitter: https://twitter.com/kevindayhoff Twitpic: http://twitpic.com/photos/kevindayhoff Kevin Dayhoff's The New Bedford Herald: http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/ = www.newbedfordherald.net Explore Carroll: www.explorecarroll.com The Tentacle: www.thetentacle.com
Friday, February 26, 2010
Governor O'Malley Visits Troops in Iraq
February 26, 2010
Dear Friends,
One of the reasons I am so proud to work with Governor O'Malley is because of his strong support for Maryland's military families and our veterans. For 25 years, I have served as a member of the United States Armed Forces and I am proud to continue my service as a Colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves.
Five years ago, I had the opportunity to serve in Iraq alongside some of the most dedicated and patriotic men and women I've ever met. Today, nearly 2,000 Maryland-based soldiers and men and women of the Maryland National Guard are on active duty overseas.
Please join Governor O'Malley and me in keeping our service members and their families in your thoughts and prayers while they serve on our behalf.
Anthony G. Brown
Lieutenant Governor
http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2010/02/governor-omalley-visits-troops-in-iraq.html
Iraq War, Military Md Natl Guard, People O'Malley-Martin
Monday, November 16, 2009
Fallen hero Marine Charles I Cartwright honored
Hundreds attend Cartwright memorial in Union Bridge
By Kevin Dayhoff, Posted at http://www.explorecarroll.com/news/3636/cartwright%20funeral/ 11/16/09
More than 500 people crowded into the social hall at the Union Bridge fire station today to pay respects to Staff Sergeant Charles Isaac Cartwright, 26, of Union Bridge, who died Nov. 7 while supporting combat operations in Farah province, Afghanistan.
Cartwright was assigned as a member of Marine Special Operations Company A, serving his fifth overseas tour, three in Iraq and one previously in Afghanistan.
Read the rest of my article here: Remembering a fighter, warrior ... and community man Hundreds attend Cartwright memorial in Union Bridge
http://www.explorecarroll.com/news/3636/cartwright%20funeral/
@CarrollEagle Funeral for a fallen hero Marine Charles I Cartwright http://tinyurl.com/yj3v9nm
http://www.explorecarroll.com/news/3636/cartwright%20funeral/ http://tinyurl.com/yj3v9nm
20091116 SCE Remembering a fighter warrior sceked Carroll Co Dist Union Bridge, Fire CC 08 Union Bridge, Iraq War, Military Fallen Hero, Military Marines, Police Carroll Co Sheriff's Dept, World Middle East Afghanistan
Related:
RIP Sgt Charles I Cartwright 26 Union Bridge Md (Related http://tinyurl.com/ygk4wet) http://tinyurl.com/ya7mr5c http://twitpic.com/p3hij
http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2009/11/union-bridge-md-marine-killed-in.html http://tinyurl.com/ygk4wet
Related: http://tinyurl.com/ygk4wet 20091110 DOD release 882 09 Cartwright killed in Afghanistan Current Events, Military Carroll Co, Military Marines, World Middle East Afghanistan
http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2009/11/union-bridge-md-marine-killed-in.html http://tinyurl.com/ygk4wet
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Obituary for Fallen Hero SSgt. Charles Cartwright
Saturday, September 5, 2009
The last post of 5/20 Milblogger Jordan Shay KIA Iraq Sept 2 2009
HT @Michael_Yon Milblogger Through Amber Lenses Jordan Shay 22 KIA Iraq 5th Battalion 20th Inf Reg See http://tinyurl.com/nuk7nk
Through Amber Lenses
*****
http://armyofdude.blogspot.com/2009/09/through-amber-lenses-light.html http://tinyurl.com/nuk7nk
*****
Thank you Jordan for all your work. Rest in peace, your labor is done. We salute you. Your sacrifice will not be forgotten. Kels, let us know if there is anything you need.
*****
Amesbury soldier killed in Iraq By Marie Szaniszlo Friday, September 4, 2009 http://www.bostonherald.com/ Local Coverage
Article URL: http://www.bostonherald.com/news/regional/view.bg?articleid=1195392
A 22-year-old Amesbury soldier was killed this week on his second tour of duty in Iraq, town officials said.
Jordan Shay, an E4 leader in an attack company assigned to the 5th Battalion of the 20th Infantry regiment, was killed Tuesday, said Kristen LaRue, director of veterans services.
Details about how Shay was killed have not yet been released. But he belonged to the 3rd Stryker Brigade, based in Fort Lewis, Wash., and was on his third tour of duty, LaRue said.
The day before he was killed was the last time he logged on to his MySpace [website] page, where a clock counting down how many days he had left in the Army is still running.
“Our hearts and our prayers are with the Shay family,” she said. “As a community, we are standing together to assist the family in any way.”
Flags have been lowered to half-staff across town in memory of Shay, who graduated from Amesbury High School in 2005.
Article URL: http://www.bostonherald.com/news/regional/view.bg?articleid=1195392
See also: http://www.bostonherald.com/news/regional/view/20090905fallen_hero_was_ray_of_sunshine_amesbury_soldier_killed_in_iraq/
*****
From: http://armyofdude.blogspot.com/2009/09/through-amber-lenses-light.html
Friday, September 04, 2009
Through Amber Lenses, A Light
At times he must have been no more than two hundred feet from me, but I never had the privilege to meet Jordan Shay. Together we chewed up the most inhospitable terrain on earth, and back on Ft. Lewis, we worked daily in the same dilapidated Korean War era barracks. The only connection I shared with Jordan was through the comments section of his blog, which I keep linked on the top of the page under our unit crest. Though our companies faced a heated inter-battalion rivalry, Attack Company was always in the thick of combat with my company, Battle. They shouldered a far greater burden than us, sustaining eight KIAs to our two. Jordan, at 22 years old, saw more combat than a lot of crusty old vets before he could legally buy a beer. For his third combat tour with the 3rd Stryker Brigade, Jordan started a blog to chronicle his experience. He named it Through Amber Lenses, the color of his sunglasses. He wanted to explain to the world what he saw with a bright amber tint.
What I read when I checked his most recent comment section hit me straight in the gut. "RIP Jordan." I rushed to the DoD announcement page and found nothing. Through a Google search I confirmed my worst fear: Jordan Shay, 22 years young, killed in Iraq.
Read the rest here: http://armyofdude.blogspot.com/2009/09/through-amber-lenses-light.html
Be sure to check out Spc. Jordan Shay’s blog: http://throughamberlenses.blogspot.com/
Here, pasted below, I want to preserve his last post:
Be sure to go here: http://throughamberlenses.blogspot.com/2009/08/promised-real-post.html to read the comments – and perhaps say a few words of thanks and condolences. Keep his family and Kels in your prayers as you enjoy Labor Day, brought to you by the sacrifice of Spc Shay and too many others like him…
Thursday, August 27, 2009
The Promised "Real" Post!
Leaning up against the back of the building we discovered half of a rusted Russian heavy machine gun, and another piece of a Cold War era anti-aircraft gun. No big deal, except both weapons had been used against our company two years prior during the retaking of the city of Baqubah. Pretending this find meant the IPs were doing their job and taking dangerous weapons off the street and not that they were the average two-faced insurgents, we rounded the last corner of the compound and headed for the front gate.
Thanks to the hand-tying status of forces agreement between Iraq and the United States, American soldiers are not allowed to operate in urban areas without having the Iraqi Police or Iraqi Army present. Exceptions apply, but they're few and far between.
By the time our squad had regrouped around the front of the building, our IA escort forces from outside the city had exited their humvees and stood around smoking and joking with each other. They were dressed in USMC desert fatigues, military body armor, and commercial tactical vests. They were also carrying clean weapons outfitted with modern American optics and flashlights. Apparently, Iraqi Army Special Forces are fairly well funded.
We passed them by and headed out the gate, since our absurdly strict platoon leader wasn't around to stop us. One lonely IP stood guard just outside the entrance to the station. He remained rooted to the ground while we moved past him and out into the neighborhood. We figured he'd count as our Iraqi escort if someone important came along. Crossing a small lot with a few scattered cars and trash piles, a pack of four or five dogs picked up our scent and barked to alert the area to our presence. We held up at the far side of the lot, less than a hundred meters from the IP station. A group of kids had been playing around in the street, but had scattered as soon as we left the station. In previous years, that was a bad sign. Kids scattered and plugged their ears before roadside bombs detonated.
This time around, it's a different war. "War" is hardly the word to describe the current situation. Anyway, the unit we're replacing didn't spend a single second of their tour mingling with the locals around this particular IP station. It had been months since the last American foot patrol through their village. They peeked around corners and out from behind courtyard gates. Families weaving around rubble and small rivers of sewage eyeballed us suspiciously, rarely returning a wave.
Two young boys crept closer, stopping about ten meters ahead of us. I motioned to them to come closer while Todd called to them in broken Arabic. Cautiously, the older of the two darted up to us. Todd pulled a pack of gum from his pants pocket and handed a piece to the boy, who looked confused but optimistic. Todd pulled out another piece for himself, and popped it in his mouth. The boy smiled and darted back to the safety of his house. When he stuck his head out a moment later, he was chewing happily and surrounded by a new group of local kids.
I motioned again to them, and a younger boy came running up over the broken bricks and dirt littering the street. I handed him a little pack of Sweet Tarts as my squad started moving back to the police station. He accepted happily and ran back to the house. I turned and followed the squad out of the neighborhood and back through the guarded station entrance, offering the lone IP a wave as he closed the gate behind me.
We walked up to the front of the building, wondering where our blundering platoon leader was. The Iraqi Army Special Forces soldiers were still lounging around, smoking cheap cigarettes in the scorching afternoon sun. Approaching them, they welcomed us with open arms and all sorts of broken English. Cigarettes were offered all around, we removed our helmets and gloves, and relaxed. The language barrier is always difficult to overcome, but through the few Arabic phrases I remember from my first deployment and creative sign language, we got to know each other. We examined each others rifles and pistols, resisted the pleas of the IA soldiers to trade watches and jokingly traded insults. An American private from Guam was played up as an Iraqi who forgot how to speak Arabic, and the sexual preference of all involved was questioned. Some things are funny to soldiers no matter their nationality.
A number of the Iraqi soldiers pulled out mobile phones with built-in cameras to take pictures with us. In true Iraqi style, they showed us pictures of their wives and children and poked fun at each other before finally settling down to pose for pictures. Todd took a few pictures with my camera, then moved into the group for a few more.
Our platoon leader emerged from the station a short time later, and ordered us back onto the trucks. We said goodbye to our new friends and loaded up into our Strykers. As our convoy pulled out of the compound onto the bumpy village roads, we offered the locals a final wave. Surrounded by young kids, even the parents waved back.
--------------
It's scary to think the few minutes my squad spent outside the police station interacting with the local kids, showing that we're there to be friendly and help the Iraqis, and proving we're not afraid to wander the streets alone may set the tone in KBS for the rest of our deployment.
Also interesting to note: According to the interpreter we had along with us today, the citizens of Baqubah (and most of Diyala Province) fear the men who wear the patch with the Indian head and star on a black shield (2nd Infantry Division.) When asked about 5-20 Infantry, they talk of the grey phantoms (rough translation) who appear in the night, move without sound, and rain incredible destruction down upon their enemies. At the same time, they praise our battalion for driving Al Qaeda out of their city, out of their neighborhoods, and out of their children's lives.
We are respected in Baqubah. We are also feared. Our battalion has a fantastic opportunity to use these facts to our advantage and make a real difference before the withdrawal of all combat forces in the summer of next year. We made a difference in 2007, we could do it again in 2009. I fear we will not.
From Diyala Province,
Jordan
2009 (16)
▼ August (7)
The Promised "Real" Post!
The New Guys...
Same FOB, New Faces
it's been three days...
Be Prepared...
D-Day + 6ish
Live From Kuwait...
► July (3)
The (Second) Day of Reckoning
Again.
Catch you...
► June (4)
Iran
grey lenses
the new theme
Not really a post...
► May (2)
20090905 sdsom last post 5 20 Milblogger Jordan KIA Sept 2 2009
http://twitpic.com/glk1a The last post of 5/20 Milblogger Jordan Shay KIA Iraq Sept 2 2009 http://tinyurl.com/njusfk
http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2009/09/last-post-of-520-milblogger-jordan-shay.html http://tinyurl.com/njusfk
Be sure to read http://armyofdude.blogspot.com/ Through Amber Lenses, A Light http://tinyurl.com/nuk7nk
Be sure to go herehttp://throughamberlenses.blogspot.com/ leave TY & condolences http://tinyurl.com/ncujtm
Keep his family & Kels n your prayers as you enjoy Labor Day brought 2 you by t sacrifice of men & women n uniform
Sunday, May 24, 2009
This is for the soldiers…
This is for the soldiers…
ThisIsForTheSoldiers.org (by Lizzy Palmer)
This rocks. Since once again this Memorial Day I have friends over in the sandbox in the line of fire, this is for them…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TB0jigYknwM
1.5 million people have served in Iraq and Afghanistan. They risk their lives every day to defend you. Now you can really show your support, whether you are for or against the war.
Please visit ThisIsForTheSoldiers.org.
http://thisisforthesoldiers.org/
Tour footage courtesy of USO:
http://www.uso.org/
Music by Drowning Pool:
http://www.drowningpool.com/
********NOTE********
This video was made by, 15 year-old, Lizzy Palmer.
As a veteran of the United States Armed Forces, who has friends in the line of fire, I felt compelled to share this with you.
People, like Lizzy, give me faith in the youth of America and the world.
Please check out her channel:
http://www.youtube.com/FlutieCutie
I have chosen to Re-post this, on my channel, to bring attention to this worthy cause. Videos, like this, can make a difference. Videos, like this, are what is good about YouTube. Please rate, fav, comment, and share, on this, and/or the original:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VsfwNT...
I want as many people, as possible, to be made aware of this orginization.
Thanks for your time.
-Allen
*****
Remember Me
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ervaMPt4Ha0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UW1toLy_FMQ
20090524 SDOSM ThisIsForTheSoldiersorg by Lizzy Palmer
Kevin Dayhoff Art: www.kevindayhoff.com
Kevin Dayhoff Westminster: www.westgov.net
Thursday, May 29, 2008
20080528 Ex Press Aide Writes Bush Misled US on Iraq by Michael D. Shear Washington Post
Ex-Press Aide Writes That Bush Misled U.S. on Iraq
By Michael D. Shear
Former White House press secretary Scott McClellan writes in a new memoir that the Iraq war was sold to the American people with a sophisticated "political propaganda campaign" led by President Bush and aimed at "manipulating sources of public opinion" and "downplaying the major reason for going to war."
McClellan includes the charges in a 341-page book, "What Happened: Inside the Bush White House and
The book, coming from a man who was a tight-lipped defender of administration aides and policy, is certain to give fuel to critics of the administration, and McClellan has harsh words for many of his past colleagues. He accuses former White House adviser Karl Rove of misleading him about his role in the CIA case. He describes Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice as being deft at deflecting blame, and he calls Vice President Cheney "the magic man" who steered policy behind the scenes while leaving no fingerprints.
McClellan stops short of saying that Bush purposely lied about his reasons for invading Iraq, writing that he and his subordinates were not "employing out-and-out deception" to make their case for war in 2002.
But in a chapter titled "Selling the War," he alleges that the administration repeatedly shaded the truth and that Bush "managed the crisis in a way that almost guaranteed that the use of force would become the only feasible option."
Read the entire article here: Ex-Press Aide Writes That Bush Misled U.S. on Iraq
Monday, March 17, 2008
20080315 Join me in wishing Admiral William Fallon well in his long overdue retirement
Join me in wishing Admiral William Fallon well in his long overdue retirement
March 16th, 2008
Columnist Michael Barone has written an intelligent analysis about the “abrupt resignation of Adm. William Fallon as the head of Central Command…”
I for one, sure hope the doorknob does not hit him on the behind while he is on his way out…
Secretary of Defense Dr. Robert Gates announced his resignation last Tuesday, March 11, 2008 as the commander of Central Command.
No doubt his resignation was toasted by many in the military that evening.
Secretary Gates was, as usual, rather forthcoming as to the resignation stating Admiral Fallon’s reasons involved the controversies that have resulted from the recent, March 11, 2008, article in Esquire magazine: “The Man Between War and Peace,” by Thomas P.M. Barnett.
Gee – ya think?
Others in the military will quietly tell ya Admiral Fallon got confused and thought it was his job to set military and foreign policy instead of implementing it.
He did everything possible to undermine his bosses, Secretary of Defense Gates and President George W. Bush; and cut the knees out from under General David Petraeus. All the while, he overlooked several aspects of his job, such as was reported in the Washington Times - “Warriors welcome Fallon's resignation” by Sara Carter, March 13, 2008:
“Current and former military officials welcomed the resignation of Navy Adm. William J. Fallon, the top U.S. military commander in the Middle East, saying he failed to prevent foreign fighters and munitions from entering Iraq.”
To be certain, not to be overlooked is the fact that Admiral Fallon has led a storied career in the military and that we should all appreciate - and thank him for his service.
Nevertheless, we can wish him the best of luck in his retirement, which is, by many accounts, long overdue. Maybe now he can be a military analyst for Katie Couric or the New York Times – or Code Pink. He’ll fit in quite comfortably.
_____
The Importance of Fallon's Fall by Michael Barone, Saturday, March 15, 2008
The abrupt resignation of Adm. William Fallon as the head of Central Command almost got lost amid the breaking news of Barack Obama's victory in the Mississippi primary and Eliot Spitzer's resignation as governor of New York. But it's a much more consequential development -- in the foreign and military policy of the Bush administration in its final year in office and in the relations between civilian commanders and military officers in the long run of American history.
Though everyone involved denies it, Fallon was kicked out for insubordination, or something very close to it. His conduct became impossible to overlook after the publication of a jauntily written article in Esquire by Thomas P.M. Barnett, author of "The Pentagon's New Map."
Barnett paints Fallon as a seasoned officer who coolly and wisely has been frustrating George W. Bush's desire to invade
Fallon also made it plain that he wants to withdraw troops from Iraq, as soon as possible -- even though Defense Secretary Robert Gates has approved Petraeus' request for a pause after currently scheduled troop withdrawals end in July.
Fallon is not the first subordinate to work openly to undercut the commander in chief…
[…]
Read his entire column here: The Importance of Fallon's Fall
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20080315 Join me in wishing Admiral William Fallon well in his long overdue retirement