Saturday, May 17, 2008

ARMED FORCES DAY and MATT MULLIGAN



A day to be proud, a day to remember the sacrifices of our soldiers and their families. Celebrate them today.

I WANTED TO ADD TO THIS POST SOME INFORMATION I FOUND OUT TODAY; A WONDERFUL YOUNG MAN I KNOW HAS JOINED THE MARINES THIS WEEK. IT WAS ANNOUNCED FROM THE PULPIT THIS MORNING.. PLEASE HONOR MATT MULLIGAN IN HIS COURAGE AND PATRIOTISM! VERY different feeling when someone you love has joined up. May God continue to bless him and his wonderful family.


HOOAH, MATT
and SEMPER FI

Z's house

40 comments:

Ottavio (Otto) Marasco said...

God bless the freedom loving fighting men and woman of the U.S. armed servies...

Anonymous said...

Thank you to our men and women who fight to keep us free and whole.

May we all strive to deserve your sacrifice.

To every one of you in our military. Greatness resides within you. Our pride in you knows no bounds. May God bless and keep you one and all.

Pris

MathewK said...

here here AI. Thank God for them, they guarantee every one of our professions, our livelihoods, our freedoms and our lives. Bless them all and may more of us learn to appreciate and remember them.

Thanks for blog rolling me.

WomanHonorThyself said...

Stunning! God bless them all and u Z!

Z said...

Thanks, AI, Pris and MK...we DO need to strive to deserve their sacrifice, don't we, P...especially lately, we've not done too well around here.

Thank goodness the Left is finally chastised enough for having dumped our Vietnam soldiers in the mud and suddenly says things like "we support our troops, even if we don't support what they're doing..."
One can tell it's always so political and so pandering when any of the left says that, but it's a start.

MK...I thank you, too!

elmers brother said...

We owe them all a debt.

kevin said...

A belated salute to our men and women in service of their country.

Anonymous said...

Thanks to all men and women in America's Armed services!

David Schantz said...

I missed it. I'd like to offer a belated thank you to anyone of you that has ever served in the United States military. God bless and protect each and every one of the Sons and Daughters that are now serving.

God Bless America, God Save The Republic.

Anonymous said...

Thank you to all of our brave soldiers, past and present. Where would we be without them?

Karen Townsend said...

Terrific reminder, Z. Thank you.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations, Matt! I know you'll serve with distinction.

FJ, Lt. jg USNR (ret)

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful picture!

I wish every one of our fighting forces had something that lovely to come home to.

Anonymous said...

NEWSFLASH!!!

TEDDY KENNEDY HASS SEIZURE!

In Hospital Awaiting Test Results


The question that hangs in the air now: "Will it make any difference?"

~ FT

Anonymous said...

God love you and bless you Matt.
Even though I most likely will never meet you, please know you are appreciated.

You are a patriot and there is nothing finer.

Thank you for keeping me free.


WVdottr

Anonymous said...

Way to go Matt! A few words of advice.

1. Get in shape. Push ups, pull ups, sit ups and running will do the trick until you get to basic.

2. Learn how to fold your clothes and take care of your boot camp personal items like belt buckles, boots, socks, etc. IT MATTERS because they're going to throw all of this at you during the first week when you're dog-ass tired. If you already have a firm grasp on these things your life will be much easier. You may be able to find this info online? I'm in FL, so I can't help you.

3. If you're not used to firing a weapon, go to the range ASAP! Get used to it and rifles won't rattle you in boot camp.

4. VERY important, make sure to get some sleep for the two nights before Parris Island. You'll be a bit sleep deprived after that. :-)

5. When they get up in your mug, DON'T take it personal! It's a game, and the sooner you realize that, the better off you'll be. They won't let you know that until they see you a year later, but boot camp's a game meant to make or break you, that's all.

6. Be efficient and INVISIBLE during boot camp, then KICK ASS in your AIT (Advanced Individual Training) school because it will matter then. More than you know.

Thank you Matt for taking your turn on "the wall." Semper Fi young man!

Morgan

Freedomnow said...

Thank you Matt Mulligan.

The Marines are our pride and joy.

Your patriotism is commendable.

Z said...

I'm so touched by your messages here to Matt. Thanks, everyone. I've got a great bunch of patriotic Americans coming by here, I'm humbled.
God bless Matt, this country, and ALL of you.

xxx Z

Anonymous said...

Miss Z,
This is exactly why you and others need to take heart.
As long as there are Matt Mulligans out there and people such as ourselves, there will be an America.


The winning and combat in the arena of ideas goes on continually.

There is never a time when one can say, ok, this is how it is, no more bad coming, I can relax and sit on my butt.

Oh no, freedom and liberty must be watched at all times and jealously guarded, not to be taken for granted.

This is why we have so much trouble now.

In my mere opinion people thought after WWII was won, no more need to fight.
Folks have been taking the freedom and its fruits won then, for granted.

So now days, many think only a president or military people take care of things like freedom and being responsible for the country.

Well, it is wrong, we ALL have to watch and guard and sing the praises of this wonderful country.

WVdottr

EDGE said...

God bless all of our servicemen and servicewomen!

Anonymous said...

Go Matt!
My cousin is a Marine and the pride runs deep.
Steady on!!

Anonymous said...

To Matt,
Thank you for your service. God bless and keep you.

Pris

Faith said...

That's your porch, or balcony, isn't it Z? How nice!

CJ said...

That's your balcony, isn't it, Z? How nice!

CJ said...

Oops, got two different email accounts posting here. Sorry.

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous said...

My heartiest congratulations, Matt. After 29 years of active duty service as a Marine, I would still trade places with you in a heartbeat.

Best wishes, and Semper Fi

Anonymous said...

That was a great post, WVdottr! I think you have it sized up just right.

It is much too bad the practitioners of "Critical Theory" have been so successful at causing large numbers of Americans to doubt our system, doubt our Founders, doubt our heritage, doubt our military and worst of all to doubt their own proper identity.

I'll say God bless and thanks to young Matt along with all the others like him who are willing to sacrifice themselves to protect this nation.

I just hope there is something left TO protect, because no one is doing a THING about the LEFTIST TERMITES who have been and continue to munch away at the foundation of American Freedom, Principles and Identity.

The left got us to ban the use of effective pesticides, so guess what? We are INFESTED with PESTS.

You may interpret that remark on any level you choose. All are perfectly applicable.

God bless the armed services and all who choose to enter them, but we need always to remember that pour WORST enemies are right HERE at home.

Ignorance, Self-Righteousness and Shortsightedness tethered led around by Sophistry and Guile are a deadly combination.

Anonymous said...

REECESSIONAL


God of our fathers, known of old--
Lord of our far-flung battle line
Beneath whose awful hand we hold
Dominion over palm and pine--
Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet,
Lest we forget - lest we forget!


The tumult and the shouting dies;
The captains and the kings depart:
Still stands Thine ancient sacrifice,
An humble and a contrite heart.
Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet,
Lest we forget - lest we forget!


Far-called, our navies melt away;
On dune and headland sinks the fire:
Lo, all our pomp of yesterday
Is one with Nineveh and Tyre!
Judge of the Nations, spare us yet,
Lest we forget - lest we forget!


If, drunk with sight of power, we loose
Wild tongues that have not Thee in awe--
Such boasting as the Gentiles use
Or lesser breeds without the law--
Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet,
Lest we forget - lest we forget!


For heathen heart that puts her trust
In reeking tube and iron shard--
All valiant dust that builds on dust,
And guarding, calls not Thee to guard--
For frantic boast and foolish word,
Thy mercy on Thy people, Lord!

~ Rudyard Kipling

There's tremendous irony and heartbreak in this piece written before Britain's great Empire collapsed. There is also an important lesson for us Americans today. Are we destined to go the way of "Nineveh and Tyre," or may we yet rescue ourselves from the consequences of our folly?

~ FreeThinke

elmers brother said...

I'd trade too....

Thanks for choosing to serve Matt.

Z said...

could there be a better group of Americans in any corner of the blogosphere? I'm proud of ours, aren't you all!?

I dreamt that the lefties who flocked to that Obama Mamma article I had sent to me and posted, which got picked up at a popular site and brought me site views WELL over my normal dribble (in the thousands a day!! but it's stopping now!), ...anyway, I dreamt last night that we got tons of anti armed forces comments, I'm so glad it was just a dream (or nightmare)
Thanks for your great enthusiasm and encouragement....I can't wait for Matt to see these! Z

Z said...

yes, CJ..the front balcony off the living room. Taken a few years ago.

elmers brother said...

good questions Sam

Anonymous said...

PERTINENT NEWS from the UK:

Terribly sad they've had to pass a LAW against it, but I'm glad decent folk in Mother England are fighting the current trend of Britain to "thaw, melt and resolve itself into a dews." - FT


Abuse of Uniformed Troops to Become a Crime

By Thomas Harding, Defence Correspondent

Last updated: 2:39 AM BST 20/05/2008


Abusing troops in uniform will be treated as a criminal offence on a par with a racist attack under a package of Government-backed measures to improve relations between the public and the Armed Forces.


Following a series of incidents in which servicemen and women in uniform have been barred from stores or abused on the streets, a report ordered by the Prime Minister has recommended legislation to outlaw discrimination.


The Nation Recognition of our Armed Forces report, written by Quentin Davies, MP, highlighted one incident in which an officer in full dress uniform was refused entrance to Harrods after attending a Remembrance Sunday parade.


The store, owned by Mohamed Fayed, has insisted on barring troops in combat fatigues which the report said was “quite unacceptable”.


Discrimination against members of the military should “not be tolerated”, the report said, especially against those who “risk their lives for their country”.


Mr Davies recommended that assaults or threats of violence against anyone in uniform should be considered an aggravated offence, in a similar way that racism is an aggravating factor in such crimes.


Bob Ainsworth, the Armed Forces Minister, said the Government was now engaged in discussions about how such a law could be introduced.


“We’ve all heard of the instances of military people being discriminated against,” he said.


“I do not believe that they are widespread, but I do believe they are totally and utterly unacceptable.”


He added that they were no different to other forms of discrimination and needed to be outlawed.


Other incidents of discrimination highlighted by the report included troops at Birmingham and Edinburgh Airports being told to change into civilian clothes or avoid public areas, injured veterans being abused by members of the public at a swimming pool, and intimidation and abuse levelled at RAF personnel in parts of Peterborough.


The latter incident was highlighted after personnel there were told not to wear their uniform in public to avoid further incidents.


While the “current pressure” on the overstretched forces meant that reviving the Royal Tournament was unlikely, it suggested creating a “modern equivalent”, the paper suggested.


It was also proposed to relax rules that prohibit senior commanders from talking to the national press or MPs without the permission of the Ministry of Defence.


With just 260 cadet forces out of 6,400 secondary schools, the report recommended that more comprehensives set up their own units to learn about military values.


Mr Ainsworth also confirmed that the Government was considering marking a new national day of celebration of the Armed Forces by making it a public holiday.


Asked about the report’s call for an Armed Forces and Veterans’ Day, he said: “We need to look at the details of how and when we do this.”


Mr Davies, who defected from the Tories to Labour last year, also recommended that troops should be encouraged to wear military dress on all appropriate occasions in public.


The report also suggested more onus on local councils to ensure local units returning from the frontline are given home-coming parades.


The Ministry of Defence said it would respond in detail to the recommendations later in the year but was already working on ways to create an Armed Forces and Veterans’ Day , encourage uniform-wearing, expand cadet forces and encourage more parades.


Story from Telegraph News:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/frontline/1988691/Abuse-of-uniformed-troops-to-become-a-crime.html

Submitted by FreeThinke

Z said...

FT, fascinating that Dodi Fayed's Egyptian Muslim father would bar a soldier from Harrod's, isn't it? HOW disgusting. I hadn't heard that. A Muslim barring a soldier trying to protect innocent Muslims from Saddam Hussein?...a Muslim trying to keep a soldier out of his store as England begins to unhinge because of Islamist terrorists? I'm surprised he'd show his hand so obviously.
The word 'scum' comes to mind, but I'm too much a lady to use it here.

SAM......excellent questions. Please write a little more on this subject and send it to me if you feel like it. More people should hear what YOU think of how Americans don't understand Bush or our soldiers and how important it is we're there.

Incognito said...

God Bless them all!!

Anonymous said...

The very fact that property is sold to FOREIGNERS both here and abroad has always bothered me. I firmly believe that NATIVE SONS and DAUGHTERS should maintain tight control over their LAND, even if it means taking less money for it when the time comes to sell.

I am an unabashed NATIVIST. England stopped being England when they opened the floodgates to the dark-skinned foreign hordes who had absolutely NOTHING to do with historic development of the unique phenomenon known as ENGLAND.

FT

Anonymous said...

The very fact that property is sold to FOREIGNERS both here and abroad has always bothered me. I firmly believe that NATIVE SONS and DAUGHTERS should maintain tight control over their LAND, even if it means taking less money for it when the time comes to sell.

I am an unabashed NATIVIST. England stopped being England when they opened the floodgates to the dark-skinned foreign hordes who had absolutely NOTHING to do with historic development of the unique phenomenon known as ENGLAND.

FT

Anonymous said...

And for what it's worth my first impression of that Balcony Scene, was that it looked like a street in one of the better sections of Old Boston on a bright October day.

(That's a compliment, by the way ;-)

FT

Z said...

THAT is a compliment, FT. Thanks! We thought it was a really pretty shot. The sun hits our front patio at a certain time in the late afternoon and it's so gorgeous!