Afghanistan Today, the GWOT Hotspot 6-10-10-Thurs.

As I thought might happen, after yesterday’s post, more US troops were killed. A helicopter was shot down killing 4 U.S. troops. With all the fallen lately, I will link again to I-Casualties and click on Enduring Freedom or Iraqi Freedom for that war. God bless our troops in this most hostile of war zones. God bless and keep the family of our fallen. Links:

1.) U.S. helicopter shot down, 4 Americans die in Afghanistan crash. I would like to know if Pres. Karzai apologized for the actions of his citizens and offered money to the families of the fallen? Has he paid the U.S. government back for the cost of the helicopter? Afghanistan is full of natural resources and the Afghan government should re-pay the U.S. for actions of their citizens which kill and injure our troops and damage or destroy our equipment.

Link:

http://www.icasualties.org/oef/

May our brave troops rest in peace, and may we have a quick victory soon, to honor their sacrifice and leave the country of Afghanistan and take our money with us.

I took the following photo at Old Shawnee Days in Shawnee, Kansas when a storm was moving in at dusk last Friday, June 4, 2009. I thought it appropriate to post, it just reminded me of our troops.

Many American troops have died so far this month in Afghanistan, 4 more died yesterday when their helicopter was shot down. God bless their families, their loved ones' selfless service is why our liberty remains intact. May they Rest In Peace. RIP soldiers as you look down at us from above.

2.) British press report: Taiban using HIV bombs:

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/campaigns/our_boys/3005443/Taliban-using-HIV-bombs.html

3.) R.I.P. Marines, another loss of  Americans in Afghanistan, may God comfort the families of these 2 Marines. May the murderer of these Marines be captured and brought to justice. Link:

http://www.defense.gov/releases/release.aspx?releaseid=13593

2 beloved U.S. Marines killed in Afghanistan, may they RIP. May God bless their families left behind. Their cause of liberty was noble, so we can live in peace in America. Their courage and bravery is honorable and will carry on through their fellow Marines

Afghanistan Today-The GWOT Hotspot-Wed. 6/9/10

More American blood was spilled yesterday in Afghanistan, and more  will be injured or killed after I post this.

I pray for the families of the fallen. I pray for our warriors, that they will be blessed with leaders who are winners who can instill this spirit of victory in our troops.

I pray for victory for the USA and that it will come soon, so our troops can come home after 10 years at war, and bring our money home with them.

These are all photos I have taken….in Kansas and beyond!

Our American way of life, our flag, our liberty is being protected now, by our brave troops, many whom have fallen this week. I thank them for protecting our way of life, for being protectors of our freedom.

Check out the I-Casualties website for continued updates of our fallen, see #1 link below:

1.) With casualties heating up, deaths for Americans in Afghanistan rising, check this website for stats and breaking updates and details, I-Casualties; click on Iraq or Afghanistan, or look at both sites:

http://www.icasualties.org/oef/ByTheatre.aspx

2.) Two more U.S. troops were added to the list of Americans who have died in Afghanistan:

Our flags wave freely and proudly due to the sacrifice of our troops, such as these 2 who died in Afghanistan

3.) Sgt. John Rankel KIA in Afghanistan yesterday. Pray for this brave warrior’s family.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2010/06/my-entry-1.html

Marine Sgt. Rankel, 23, KIA in Afghanistan, Tue. 6-8-10-RIP Marine

4.)  Two more Americans were killed in Afghanistan yesterday. May they RIP.

http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2010/06/ap_afghan_deaths_060810/

Our American way of life was threatened and two of our bravest gave their lives Tuesday, answering the call, the call to secure my liberty. God bless their families, and may these men who paid the ultimate price for our freedom rest in peace.

5.) U.S. to put combat in support role in battle for Kandahar. My question, is this: have the Taliban stopped fighting and laid don their weapons? Link:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/09/world/asia/09kandahar.html?emc=tnt&tntemail1=y

"THERE IS A REASON YOU DON'T MESS WITH A HORNET'S NEST"-sign on the wall at Camp Lejeune, April 2010.

Afghanistan Today, the GWOT Hotspot Tues. 6-8-10

Yesterday, deep in several TV newscasts I watched, after stories of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, and other stories, the news of the deaths of  10 NATO troops in Afghanistan hit the airwaves.

A scroll of news at the bottom of the screen delivered the news that seven of the ten troops killed were Americans.

I am not sure if the reports of the 3 Marines killed Sunday 6-6-10 are included in the list announced today with seven U.S. troops listed among the NATO dead, so, for now I am posting seven photos of the American and/or the Marine Corps flag to represent the seven American troops announced as being killed 6-7-10. I took the Marine flag photos Sun. 6-6-10, the same day they gave their life, and the other flag photos were taken. God bless their families at this time of loss. I honor and respect the service of these fallen troops.

God bless the USA.

Soon these families will receive a folded flag to represent their son. May these brave troops rest in peace.

I will post seven photos of US flags I took recently. May the USA be blessed with generals and officers who have a culture of victory they can instill in our troops so they can win this war and bring our troops home and bring our money home with us.

May there be prayers over the nation for the families of these fallen Americans.

I was thinking as I posted the photos of the Marine flags, that as I took these photos at a Marine building in Belton, Missouri, on Sunday 6-6-10, these 3 Marines were breathing their last breaths, spilling their blood that very day, including a Missouri Marine as I peacefully went about my business in the United States. While I was taking photos of the Marine flag this Sunday, June 6, 2010, our flesh and blood Marines gave the ultimate sacrifice so I could retain my liberty. God bless their souls.

7 US troops killed in Afghanistan on Monday-June 7, 2010-May they R.I.P.

1.)  Seven U.S. troops killed in action in Afghanistan. Pray for their families. Contact your elected officials about this war if this in a concern to you. Link:

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-afghan-deaths-20100608,0,7893157.story

7 American troops killed in Afghanistan, 6-7-10-Monday-May they RIP

2.) Three U.S. Marines from Camp Pendleton killed in Afghanistan.  I believe these were among the seven American troops killed Monday 6-7-10 in Afghanistan. God rest their souls. Those who feel so inclined can contact their elected officials about the war in Afghanistan. Link and three Marine flags:

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2010/06/three-marines-from-camp-pendleton-killed-in-afghanistan.html

RIP Marine-Sgt. Brandon C. Bury, 26, of Kingswood, Texas-one of 3 Camp Pendleton Marines killed Sunday 6-6-10 in Helmand province, Afghanistan serving with the 3rd Battalion, 1st Regiment, 1st Marine Division

RIP Marine-Lance Cpl. Derek Hernandez, 20, of Edinburg, Texas-one of 3 Camp Pendleton Marines killed Sunday 6-6-10 in Helmand province, Afghanistan serving with the 3rd Battalion, 1st Regiment, 1st Marine Division

RIP Marine=Cpl. Donald M. Marler, 22, of St. Louis, Missouri-one of 3 Camp Pendleton Marines killed Sunday 6-6-10 in Helmand province, Afghanistan serving with the 3rd Battalion, 1st Regiment, 1st Marine Division

3.) More details on Marine Lance Cpl. Derek Henandez, his life and death in Afghanistan, age 20:

http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local_news/edinburg_mourns_loss_of_a_marine_95817659.html

Marine Lance Cpl Derek Hernandez died in Afghanistan 6-6-10-Sun.

4.)  This is the link to icasualties.org

Many of the fallen do not have their names released yet, but most US troops have their nationality noted, the names will be posted as the notification of next of kin is complete. On TV they gave a brief report that this was the deadliest day for the U.S. so far this year. Say a prayer for the families of the fallen, and may our fallen American troops rest in peace. Link:

http://www.icasualties.org/OEF/Fatalities.aspx

7 U.S. troops reported killed in Afghanistan on Sunday 6-6-10. It was reported as the deadliest day in Afghanistan so far this year for American troops.

Afghanistan Today, the GWOT Hotspot 6-7-10-Mon.

Several U.S. trops died in Afghanistan, may they rest in peace; they defended our freedom, our liberty, our way of life, the flag means something as their families will receive a folded U.S. flag in return for their flesh and blood son, who shed his life’s blood in Afghanistan.

Old glory waves above the Army Reserve Center, Belton, MO-Soon families wil recieve alag

Our troops in Afghanistan face tremendous challenges under restricted rules of engagement. This first story pretty much describes the situation our men face. Say a prayer for our heroes.

Our men and women are out there, so Americans here can benefit from their sacrifice to enjoy an American way of life here, such as experienced by those attending Old Shawnee Days, in Shawnee, Kansas shown in these photos, a slice of Americana:

Old Shawnee Days, Shawnee Kansas 6/2010

So we can eat good old ‘American fare’ at the fair, our troops must spend the summer in the moondust (sand) and heat well over 100 deg. F, sometimes 130 degrees F in Afghanistan, while they can only dream of coming home and attending a fair with their family, drinking a cold beer, and living on our peaceful liberty filled shores.

Fried Snicker bars two for $2 at Old Shawnee Days, Shawnee, Kansas-a another photo of the slice that is life in America; America's heartland to be precise

Tacos! Three for $5.00-can't beat that, and a squirt of salsa too! Old Shawnee Days, Shawnee, Kansas. When our troops return from Afghanistan they just might like some tacos and a beer to wash it down with!

Meatball sandwich, French fries, and a hot dog: Old Shawnee Days-Shawnee, Kansas

Lemonade! Where would we be without this American fare at the fair? I am sure our troops in Afghanistan would like to sit down and sip on a cool lemonade about now. God bless them and pray or them!

Getting taken to the Afghan cleaners, excellent comments and story by NY Times, must read. This is posted on blog by Diana West. Link:

http://dianawest.net/

2.) Good story on our heroes, written for Memorial Day, but a good read, link:

American Flag flying outside Army Reserve center, Belton, Missouri 6-6-10

American Flag flying outside Army Reserve center, Belton, Missouri 6-7-10

Afghanistan Today, the GWOT Hotspot-Sun. 6-6-10

Another American teenager killed in action in Afghanistan, 18-year-old hero’s story below at #1.

1.) 18-year old Marine dies in Afghanistan, RIP Marine:

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2010/06/vigil-held-for-fallen-stevenson-ranch-marine-killed-in-afghanistan.html

2.) Where’s the outrage? A U.S. Army Ranger medic is killed by the enemy in Afghanistan while tending to a wounded soldier. What about the Geneva Convention Rights of U.S. soldiers? I sent this story to my senators and representative, and suggest others do the same-send to your respective reps and ask them if the enemy who killed this Ranger medic has been captured and held accountable?

http://www.ajc.com/news/cobb/marietta-ranger-killed-in-540359.html?imw=Y

3.) WWII vet tells current vets how to cope with PTSD:

Long may it wave! Our American flag outside Town Hall-Shawnee, Kansas (Old Shawnee Town)

http://legion.org/news/36289/veteran-veteran

4.) Marine’s final wish: (possibly poisoned with live nerve agent in training):

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/02/AR2010060202132.html

5)  Nuke the oil well? White House says no….

http://www.mercurynews.com/news/ci_15216748?nclick_check=1

6.) Seeing a fallen soldier home: many plane passengers would not give up their seats; excellent read:

Church in Old Town Shawnee (Kansas) as a storm rolled in June 4, 2010; Thank God we have men like this Marine who died in defense of our country, may God comfort his family. May we all remember our troops at war this day.

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2010/may/28/seeing-a-fallen-soldier-home/

Afghanistan Today, the GWOT Hotspot-6-5-10-Fri.

Again, not much in the way of American victory to report.  Not much in the way of winning battles for the Americans to report either. I pray for the day that American secures victory in this war and the troops can come home and the US brings its money home with them. In the meantime, more deaths of US troops, more US tax dollars being spent, etc. Links from around the GWOT below.

1.) Another Marines dies in Afghanistan, another brave hero laid to rest. God bless his family, link:

http://www.freep.com/article/20100603/NEWS04/6030333/Fallen-Marine-felt-duty-to-serve

Afghanistan Today, the GWOT Hotspot-6-3-10-Thurs.

Yesterday the accused Ft. Hood shooter, who is charged with the murder and wounded of many U.S. troops appeared in court. He was referred to as “Major” in news articles, but I would like to know why he still is in the Army being paid by US taxpayers, and retains the title? There was a Marine in the news a couple of days ago accused of one murder and he was released from the Marine Corps the next day. It must be a little harder to remove an officer, but I don’t think it would take this long. The troops he shot were on the way to Afghanistan.

Link:

1.)  http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2010/06/ap_hood_trial_delayed_060210/

Afghanistan Today, the GWOT Hotspot-6-2-10-Wed.

Our brave troops continue on in Afghanistan. The day of American victory can’t come soon enough, and the day we pull out and take our money with us. Links from around the GWOT:

1.) Osprey mishap in NY injures 10:

http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2010/06/ap_osprey_mishap_nyc_060110/

Afghanistan Today, the GWOT Hotspot-6-1-10-Tues.

Another month at war as the Afghanistan campaign continues on. God bless our fine troops, may they be led by generals who have a culture of victory to get this war won.

1.) Article by father whose son was killed in Iraq 3 years ago: excellent read:

http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe-bacevich-memorialday-20100531,0,5490151,print.story

2.) Marine loses legs in Afghanistan, returns to Camp Lejeune, N.C. for his unit’s return:

http://www.newsobserver.com/2010/05/31/508816/when-others-rolled-in-to-lejeune.html

3.) Stoics in the military, good read:

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/05/30/a-crack-in-the-stoic-armor/?th&emc=th