Afghanistan Today, the GWOT Hotspot (The Afghanistan Scandal?) Sat. 8/16/14 (137 days to go)

I am still shocked and saddened at the death of Marine sniper Sgt. Rob Richards, found dead in his home Wednesday. May he rest in peace.

 

 

Afghanistan Today, the GWOT Hotspot (The Afghanistan Scandal?) Sat. 7/19/14 (165 days to go)

165 days to go for American troops in Afghanistan. Remember them this weekend as we enjoy our American freedoms.

Afghanistan Today, the GWOT Hotspot (The Afghanistan Scandal?) 5-2-14-Fri. (243 days to go)

243 days left for US troops left in Afghanistan, as they began yesterday their last May in that country. Continue to pray for American troops as they complete retrograde operations closing US bases and packing equipment in this still dangerous country.

I have come to realize in the last week, especially after the April announcement of three Easter Weekend suicides, including that of a captain at Ft. Bliss (no names officially revealed in the announcement), that even after the war officially ends for American troops in Afghanistan on 31 December 2014, the lasting effects of the war will be long lasting, with many troops and veterans suffering from mental and physical injuries. May they find peace and stability in the transition from war to peace time as the war ends, and their physical and mental needs be met by the VA for vets, and the DoD by active duty military.

Links from around the GWOT:

1.) Senator John Walsh (D), an Iraq war vet discusses preventing veteran suicide. Link:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/04/20/john-walsh-veterans-bill_n_5182586.html

Afghanistan Today, the GWOT Hotspot (The Afghanistan Scandal?) 4-30-14-Wed. (245 days to go)

245 days to go for US troops in Afghanistan, and the end of another month in that country leading up to the 31 December 2014 withdrawal of all US troops.

The month ends on a sad note as retrograde operations go on, with US troops busily closing down bases and packing equipment, two US Army soldiers were killed by hostile fire. God bless our troops still in Afghanistan, a still hostile place. May God comfort the families of the fallen and heal those injured. RIP soldiers.

Links from around the GWOT:

1.) Two US soldiers killed in hostile action in Afghanistan. RIP soldiers:

http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2014/04/fort_drum_sergeant_among_two_army_soldiers_killed_in_afghanistan_report_says.html

2.) Family of hero killed in Afghanistan discuss their brave son:

http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20140430/NEWS/404300314/-1/SITEMAP

Afghanistan Today, the GWOT Hotspot (The Afghanistan Scandal?) 5-23-13-Th.

Before American troops were in Afghanistan, where the “Vietnam Plan for Afghanistan” is taking place, as if there wasn’t a template for this already with Vietnam, there was the actual Vietnam experience. See link#1 for a most excellent story of a 3rd Recon Marine mission in Vietnam, and one of the injured Recon Marine’s stories. Recon Marines are TOP TIER! God bless them! Before the GWOT there was Vietnam. Links from around the GWOT:

1.) 3rd Recon Marines in Vietnam. A most excellent story, needs read by Americans, and especially our elected officials and military officers. God bless our Recon Marines, they are TOP TIER! Look at the haunting photo of the two 19-year old Recon Marines in Vietnam before their helicopter was shot down in 1967, where one died, and one was seriously injured. God bless you 3rd Recon, then and now! Link:

http://forestlaketimes.com/2013/05/22/he-could-never-forget-marines-left-in-vietnam/

Afghanistan Today, the GWOT Hotspot (The Afghanistan Scandal?) 2-9-13-Sat.

One weekend after another, US troops remain in Afghanistan while Americans at home go about their business largely unaware a war is even being lost by American politicians who still have US troops stationed in Afghanistan. The US packs up from 12+ years of war, with a deadline of leaving on 31 December 2014. There is no longer talk of a US victory, not even from the politicians who sent US troops there. God bless America’s enlisted men and women as they furiously pack up, closing down bases by the dozens as they go.

In the meantime, the new Secretary of Defense, Chuck Hagel, visits Afghanistan and is greeted with nearby bombs. Stories indicate he heard the noise of the explosions but was nowhere near when they went off.

Links from around the GWOT:

1.) Bombs go off when US Sec. of Defense Chuck Hagel visits Afghanistan:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/afghan-official-at-least-8-afghan-civilians-dead-in-suicide-attack-outside-defense-ministry/2013/03/09/4f2d9dae-887f-11e2-b412-2e8596e7c927_story.html

Afghanistan Today, the GWOT Hotspot (The Afghanistan Scandal?) 3-8-13-Fri.

The US Marines have had their Tuition Assistance cut due to sequestration. Other service branches at this time are going to continue TA. There are funds to pay for our Marines’ Tuition Assistance, and I have an example below of where $300 million can be found right now for this funding. Don’t send $300 million to Afghanistan for Afghan women: use it for US Marines for their Tuition Assistance right now.

The end of the week comes for most Americans on a M-F schedule, and they face a weekend of relaxation, college basketball, NASCAR races, eating out, and enjoying the fruits of their work and freedom. Meanwhile, US troops are packing up equipment and closing bases in Afghanistan as quickly to leave Afghanistan by 31 December 2014. I hope the packing is complete before then and the US troops can come home before then, and bring our money with them.

1.) US taxpayers to fund $300 million to go to women of Afghanistan. I am asking Congress and our Senate to STOP this funding NOW. This money needs to go toward US active duty Marines whose Tuition Assistance is being cut. The President could step in with an executive order NOW! This $300 million needs to go to the US Marine Corps to fund tuition assistance. Link:

http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Asia-South-Central/2013/0308/USAID-to-put-300-million-into-women-s-rights-in-Afghanistan

Afghanistan Today, the GWOT Hotspot (The Afghanistan Scandal?) 3-8-13 Th.

God bless American troops still in Afghanistan.

Links from around the GWOT:

1.) Truthful numbers revealed here in USA TODAY: 800,000 US troops injured in combat and non-combat incidents in Iraq and Afghanistan. There are over 63,000 combat, Purple Heart injured from enemy combat action in Afghanistan and Iraq, but hundreds of thousands more who are injured in accidents, breathing in toxins from burn pits, and other line of duty injuries to their backs, knees, vehicle accidents, etc. Link:

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/03/06/rand-military-caregivers-wounded/1967083/

Afghanistan Today, the GWOT Hotspot (The Afghanistan Scandal?) 3-6-13-Wed.

American troops are in Afghanistan still after all these years. God bless them.

Links from around the GWOT:

1.) Pres. Obama visits US troops wounded in Afghanistan:

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/03/05/obama-visits-wounded-as-afghanistan-casualties-continue/

Afghanistan Today, the GWOT Hotspot (The Afghanistan Scandal?) 3-5-13-Tue.

God bless American troops in Afghanistan. While they are there, what is the US Department of Homeland Security doing buying MRAPS for use on US soil? Links from around the GWOT:

1.)  MRAPS for use in the USA? Why is Dept. of Homeland Security purchasing these? Link:

http://www.canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/53539?utm_source=CFP+Mailout&utm_campaign=9eba7c89ef-Call_to_Champions&utm_medium=email