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Ask a Vet
Author: TriSec
Date: 12/18/2012 11:08:37
Good Morning.
Today is our 4,090th day in Afghanistan.
We'll start this morning as we always do; with the latest casualty figures from our ongoing war, courtesy of Antiwar.com:
US Military Deaths - Afghanistan: 2,168
Other Military Deaths - Afghanistan: 1,072
We find this morning's cost of war passing through:
$ 1, 404, 143, 700, 000. 00
A bit of a mixed bag today. Since it is the season of giving, we'll start with a veteran's charity. They're in the news today, for all the wrong reasons.
Staying with the season, let's ponder the baby Jesus just a moment. The myth is that he was born on Christmas (with the truth a little more nebulous.) Many veterans returning to civilian life would like to do normal things. Get a job, buy a house, maybe even have children. But some veterans come back with profound damage to their 'regions', and might be needing advanced help for that sort of thing. Regrettably, Congress has seen fit to kill a bill that would have helped. I've actually been there; my private insurance covered it all without blinking, but it looks like Tricare won't be doing so.
Ah well. At least in this season of love, there is some hope, right? We've had "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" overturned, and there have even been a handful of weddings at the fantastic cathedral at West Point. It's too bad that the culture hasn't caught up to the law yet.
Hell of a Merry Christmas for our vets, don't you think?
Today is our 4,090th day in Afghanistan.
We'll start this morning as we always do; with the latest casualty figures from our ongoing war, courtesy of Antiwar.com:
US Military Deaths - Afghanistan: 2,168
Other Military Deaths - Afghanistan: 1,072
We find this morning's cost of war passing through:
A bit of a mixed bag today. Since it is the season of giving, we'll start with a veteran's charity. They're in the news today, for all the wrong reasons.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A veterans charity already under scrutiny for how it raised hundreds of thousands of dollars in Tennessee handed out only a fraction of the money in the form of gift cards and threatened to fire workers if they didn’t meet fundraising quotas, former employees say.
The Stuart, Fla.-based Veterans Support Organization has been criticized by other groups for how it uses donations raised outside retail stores and supermarkets. It had been fined by Tennessee for making false claims about the benefits it offered, and Connecticut lawmakers called for a federal investigation before the group’s Tennessee branch closed last month.
However, former employees interviewed by The Associated Press shed new details on how the charity operated. For instance, it claimed to help veterans and non-veterans by providing them jobs, but disciplined people who didn’t meet fundraising quotas. It also claimed to provide housing and help for poor or homeless veterans, though the former workers say that amounted to little more than a rented home in Tennessee where the workers were charged $400 a month for bunk beds and plastic dressers.
It’s not the first such charity to be scrutinized as thousands of veterans leave the military after serving in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. In Ohio, for instance, a man has been charged with running a $100 million scam through a bogus charity collecting donations for Navy veterans. Other charities around the country have been scrutinized for spending large portions of the donations they receive on operating expenses.
VSO reported raising nearly $8.5 million nationwide during the last fiscal year, but leaders emptied its office in Madison and laid off about 20 workers the day before Thanksgiving. Charity officials declined to answer questions about the workers’ claims, but provided a short statement.
The Tennessee chapter was raising tens of thousands of dollars a month at its peak, former chapter manager Kurt Jones told the AP, who was among those laid off. However, he said, its only donations were about $400 worth of Walmart gift cards given every other month to Veterans Affairs facilities in Tennessee and Kentucky.
Jones estimated the chapter raised almost $1.5 million in his two years as manager, but very little benefited veterans in those states.
Staying with the season, let's ponder the baby Jesus just a moment. The myth is that he was born on Christmas (with the truth a little more nebulous.) Many veterans returning to civilian life would like to do normal things. Get a job, buy a house, maybe even have children. But some veterans come back with profound damage to their 'regions', and might be needing advanced help for that sort of thing. Regrettably, Congress has seen fit to kill a bill that would have helped. I've actually been there; my private insurance covered it all without blinking, but it looks like Tricare won't be doing so.
A bipartisan bill providing fertility treatments or adoption benefits for those suffering from service-connected injuries to their reproductive organs passed the Senate on Wednesday but is likely dead because the House has no plans to take it up by year’s end.
The Senate-passed bill, S 3313, is aimed at veterans who suffered serious injuries to the urinary tract and reproductive organs, often as the result of improvised explosive devices, making the normal reproductive process difficult or impossible.
It would have provided reproductive assistance, such as vitro fertilization, to female veterans, the spouses of veterans or to surrogates. IVF can cost up to $15,000 per person for a full cycle of treatment and has a 30 percent chance of resulting in pregnancy. Additionally, the bill would have covered the cost of up to three adoptions for an eligible veteran, as long as the total cost did not exceed what the government would otherwise pay for one cycle of reproductive assistance.
Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee chairwoman and chief sponsor of the measure, said about 2,000 service members have suffered permanent disabilities or organ loss between 2003 and 2011, making them eligible for the proposed benefit.
The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office has a higher estimate, suggesting up to 3,500 people a year would be eligible to receive fertilization assistance if the bill becomes law.
Senate passage is as far as the bill is going to get; the House will not pass it before the legislation expires at the end of the year when the current session of Congress ends.
Ah well. At least in this season of love, there is some hope, right? We've had "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" overturned, and there have even been a handful of weddings at the fantastic cathedral at West Point. It's too bad that the culture hasn't caught up to the law yet.
The newlywed wife of a female lieutenant colonel stationed at Fort Bragg, the largest Army installation in the country, has been denied membership in a base club for officers’ spouses, igniting accusations from a national military spouses organization that the woman was blackballed only because she is a lesbian.
Ashley Broadway married her 15-year companion, Lt. Col. Heather Mack, in November — their first chance to hold a formal ceremony after the 2011 repeal of “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell,” the policy that kept gays from openly serving in the military. The couple has a 2-year-old son and Mack is 8-months-pregnant with their second child.
“I was really hurt by the denial. Living for years under ‘Don’t Ask Don’t Tell,’ I couldn’t be a part of the military family,” Broadway said, breaking into tears. “After ‘Don’t Ask Don’t Tell,’ I thought, wow, I can finally be part of something, finally give back to the military community in ways other than just writing a check. So it was a blow. A real blow. Here, I thought things were progressing. I was knocked back down.”
During a phone call Broadway received last week from a representative from the Association of Bragg Officers' Spouses, Broadway said she was told her application was rejected by the group’s president, Mary Ring, because Broadway does not have a military spouse identification card.
But that rule was added only after Broadway asked to join several weeks ago, according to Babette Maxwell, founder and executive director of both Military Spouse Magazine and the annual Military Spouse of the Year Awards. Maxwell and others advocating for Broadway said they have been monitoring and chronologically noting changes in the website for the Bragg spouses club.
Hell of a Merry Christmas for our vets, don't you think?
Comments:
Order comments Newest to Oldest Refresh Comments
Comment by 
wickedpam on 12/18/2012 14:07:17
wickedpam on 12/18/2012 14:07:17
Morning 
Comment by 
Raine on 12/18/2012 14:22:31
Good morning!
Raine on 12/18/2012 14:22:31
Good morning!
Comment by 
TriSec on 12/18/2012 14:24:43
Morning it is. "Good" is subjective.
TriSec on 12/18/2012 14:24:43
Morning it is. "Good" is subjective.
Comment by Raine on 12/18/2012 14:46:05
Raine on 12/18/2012 14:46:05
*sigh*
Comment by 
Mondobubba on 12/18/2012 14:51:15
Mondobubba on 12/18/2012 14:51:15
Hola mon peeps. I, Mondo was in an accident last night. Not my fault, the fault of the little old lady who hit me. Don't know what will happen with my car yet. What a friggin night.
Comment by Mondobubba on 12/18/2012 14:53:34
I give you Chimpanzee riding on Segway.
SSG wins the internets!
Mondobubba on 12/18/2012 14:53:34
I give you Chimpanzee riding on Segway.
SSG wins the internets!
Comment by Mondobubba on 12/18/2012 14:55:03
Mondobubba on 12/18/2012 14:55:03
I am alright, a little bruised from the airbags deploying.
Comment by wickedpam on 12/18/2012 14:57:01
?
wickedpam on 12/18/2012 14:57:01
Quote by Mondobubba:
I am alright, a little bruised from the airbags deploying.
?
Comment by wickedpam on 12/18/2012 14:57:42
OH NO!
what happened!?
wickedpam on 12/18/2012 14:57:42
Quote by Mondobubba:
Hola mon peeps. I, Mondo was in an accident last night. Not my fault, the fault of the little old lady who hit me. Don't know what will happen with my car yet. What a friggin night.
OH NO!
what happened!?
Comment by Mondobubba on 12/18/2012 15:00:15
A little 83-year old lady didn't yield the right of way at an intersection. Hilarity ensued.
Mondobubba on 12/18/2012 15:00:15
Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Mondobubba:
Hola mon peeps. I, Mondo was in an accident last night. Not my fault, the fault of the little old lady who hit me. Don't know what will happen with my car yet. What a friggin night.
OH NO!
what happened!?
A little 83-year old lady didn't yield the right of way at an intersection. Hilarity ensued.
Comment by TriSec on 12/18/2012 15:02:13
TriSec on 12/18/2012 15:02:13
Oog. When I crashed in April, I hit the Lexus pretty hard - my airbags didn't go off.
(And I could still drive off - the ass of the Lexus pretty much disintegrated and she needed a flatbed.)
Ouch, in any case.
(And I could still drive off - the ass of the Lexus pretty much disintegrated and she needed a flatbed.)
Ouch, in any case.
Comment by Mondobubba on 12/18/2012 15:04:49
I'm claim limbo at the moment as far as the rental goes. Hopefully I will know about that later today.
Mondobubba on 12/18/2012 15:04:49
Quote by TriSec:
Oog. When I crashed in April, I hit the Lexus pretty hard - my airbags didn't go off.
(And I could still drive off - the ass of the Lexus pretty much disintegrated and she needed a flatbed.)
Ouch, in any case.
I'm claim limbo at the moment as far as the rental goes. Hopefully I will know about that later today.
Comment by TriSec on 12/18/2012 15:07:33
TriSec on 12/18/2012 15:07:33
Comment by wickedpam on 12/18/2012 15:10:35
did you get t-boned?
Is the lady okay too?
wickedpam on 12/18/2012 15:10:35
Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Mondobubba:
Hola mon peeps. I, Mondo was in an accident last night. Not my fault, the fault of the little old lady who hit me. Don't know what will happen with my car yet. What a friggin night.
OH NO!
what happened!?
A little 83-year old lady didn't yield the right of way at an intersection. Hilarity ensued.
did you get t-boned?
Is the lady okay too?
Comment by Raine on 12/18/2012 15:24:44
Oh Mondo, I'm just glad you are alright.
Raine on 12/18/2012 15:24:44
Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by TriSec:
Oog. When I crashed in April, I hit the Lexus pretty hard - my airbags didn't go off.
(And I could still drive off - the ass of the Lexus pretty much disintegrated and she needed a flatbed.)
Ouch, in any case.
I'm claim limbo at the moment as far as the rental goes. Hopefully I will know about that later today.
Comment by Raine on 12/18/2012 15:30:06
Raine on 12/18/2012 15:30:06
Diane Feinstein has said she would introduce a bill-- but caller doesn't seem to realize it hasn't been written yet.
Comment by Raine on 12/18/2012 15:34:08
Raine on 12/18/2012 15:34:08
Quote by TriSec:
I've been moping about for the past 36 hours or so. I've written a bonus blog of sorts.
Comment by Raine on 12/18/2012 15:40:27
Tri, Scouting has not failed. You haven't failed.
Raine on 12/18/2012 15:40:27
Quote by Raine:Quote by TriSec:
I've been moping about for the past 36 hours or so. I've written a bonus blog of sorts.
Tri, Scouting has not failed. You haven't failed.
Comment by Mondobubba on 12/18/2012 15:42:40
Me. too. I was very worried about the little old lady more than anything. He daughter called me a little bit ago, she is fine.
Mondobubba on 12/18/2012 15:42:40
Quote by Raine:Oh Mondo, I'm just glad you are alright.Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by TriSec:
Oog. When I crashed in April, I hit the Lexus pretty hard - my airbags didn't go off.
(And I could still drive off - the ass of the Lexus pretty much disintegrated and she needed a flatbed.)
Ouch, in any case.
I'm claim limbo at the moment as far as the rental goes. Hopefully I will know about that later today.
Me. too. I was very worried about the little old lady more than anything. He daughter called me a little bit ago, she is fine.
Comment by Mondobubba on 12/18/2012 15:43:44
Mondobubba on 12/18/2012 15:43:44
Comment by wickedpam on 12/18/2012 15:45:45
I'm glad everyone is okay.
hope the car will survive
wickedpam on 12/18/2012 15:45:45
Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by Raine:Oh Mondo, I'm just glad you are alright.Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by TriSec:
Oog. When I crashed in April, I hit the Lexus pretty hard - my airbags didn't go off.
(And I could still drive off - the ass of the Lexus pretty much disintegrated and she needed a flatbed.)
Ouch, in any case.
I'm claim limbo at the moment as far as the rental goes. Hopefully I will know about that later today.
Me. too. I was very worried about the little old lady more than anything. He daughter called me a little bit ago, she is fine.
I'm glad everyone is okay.
hope the car will survive
Comment by Mondobubba on 12/18/2012 15:45:46
Agreeing with Raine on this one. You didn't fail.
Mondobubba on 12/18/2012 15:45:46
Quote by Raine:Quote by Raine:Quote by TriSec:
I've been moping about for the past 36 hours or so. I've written a bonus blog of sorts.
Tri, Scouting has not failed. You haven't failed.
Agreeing with Raine on this one. You didn't fail.
Comment by Raine on 12/18/2012 15:45:59
I will take a watch a little later.
Raine on 12/18/2012 15:45:59
Quote by Mondobubba:
Since the embed for the epic Chimpanzee Riding on Segway didn't work, here is a link for it.
You are welcome.
Comment by Mondobubba on 12/18/2012 15:46:56
Hard to say. Momma Mondo said she checked with her FA, she is willing to help me get a new car.
Have I mentioned how awesome Momma Mondo is?
Mondobubba on 12/18/2012 15:46:56
Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by Raine:Oh Mondo, I'm just glad you are alright.Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by TriSec:
Oog. When I crashed in April, I hit the Lexus pretty hard - my airbags didn't go off.
(And I could still drive off - the ass of the Lexus pretty much disintegrated and she needed a flatbed.)
Ouch, in any case.
I'm claim limbo at the moment as far as the rental goes. Hopefully I will know about that later today.
Me. too. I was very worried about the little old lady more than anything. He daughter called me a little bit ago, she is fine.
I'm glad everyone is okay.
hope the car will survive
Hard to say. Momma Mondo said she checked with her FA, she is willing to help me get a new car.
Have I mentioned how awesome Momma Mondo is?
Comment by wickedpam on 12/18/2012 15:47:06
There's no way you've failed - you totally win just by showing how much you care and give support and guidance to all those kids.
wickedpam on 12/18/2012 15:47:06
Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by Raine:Quote by Raine:Quote by TriSec:
I've been moping about for the past 36 hours or so. I've written a bonus blog of sorts.
Tri, Scouting has not failed. You haven't failed.
Agreeing with Raine on this one. You didn't fail.
There's no way you've failed - you totally win just by showing how much you care and give support and guidance to all those kids.
Comment by Mondobubba on 12/18/2012 15:47:30
it is the weirdest thing you will watch today.
Mondobubba on 12/18/2012 15:47:30
Quote by Raine:I will take a watch a little later.Quote by Mondobubba:
Since the embed for the epic Chimpanzee Riding on Segway didn't work, here is a link for it.
You are welcome.
it is the weirdest thing you will watch today.
Comment by wickedpam on 12/18/2012 15:47:54
you're mom is amazingly awesome!
wickedpam on 12/18/2012 15:47:54
Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by Raine:Oh Mondo, I'm just glad you are alright.Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by TriSec:
Oog. When I crashed in April, I hit the Lexus pretty hard - my airbags didn't go off.
(And I could still drive off - the ass of the Lexus pretty much disintegrated and she needed a flatbed.)
Ouch, in any case.
I'm claim limbo at the moment as far as the rental goes. Hopefully I will know about that later today.
Me. too. I was very worried about the little old lady more than anything. He daughter called me a little bit ago, she is fine.
I'm glad everyone is okay.
hope the car will survive
Hard to say. Momma Mondo said she checked with her FA, she is willing to help me get a new car.
you're mom is amazingly awesome!
Comment by TriSec on 12/18/2012 15:48:31
TriSec on 12/18/2012 15:48:31
I don't know. It's just that general feeling of helplessness in the whole situation, I guess.
Comment by Mondobubba on 12/18/2012 15:50:44
Watching Chimpanzee riding on Segway will cheer you right up.
Mondobubba on 12/18/2012 15:50:44
Quote by TriSec:
I've been moping about for the past 36 hours or so. I've written a bonus blog of sorts.
Watching Chimpanzee riding on Segway will cheer you right up.
Comment by Mondobubba on 12/18/2012 15:52:56
Mondobubba on 12/18/2012 15:52:56
In other news, if there are any HBO series you want to get on DVD, get yourself to Best Buy, the are all 1/2 off this week! Got all five seasons of The Wire for 80 bucks!
Comment by 
Will in Chicago on 12/18/2012 15:56:04
Will in Chicago on 12/18/2012 15:56:04
TriSec, your blog is very good but it shows why it is so hard to be a veteran or an active member of the military.
In an amusing part of my job search, I actually found two positions near Boston to apply to that start next month. If I get either one and have to move over winter break, I will be both amused and exhausted.
In an amusing part of my job search, I actually found two positions near Boston to apply to that start next month. If I get either one and have to move over winter break, I will be both amused and exhausted.
Comment by TriSec on 12/18/2012 16:10:25
TriSec on 12/18/2012 16:10:25
As a Scouting community, we come together especially in support of the Kowalski and Wheeler families. The Pack 170 leadership has asked that we set up a Memorial Fund to support the five families and donations can be made out to "Pack 170 Memorial Fund" c/o Connecticut Yankee Council, PO Box 32, Milford, CT 06461. We are working with Newtown Savings Bank to establish this fund.
In an effort to assist the families, we will collect cards and letters which can also be addressed to "Pack 170" c/o the Connecticut Yankee Council, PO Box 32, Milford, CT 06461.
In an effort to assist the families, we will collect cards and letters which can also be addressed to "Pack 170" c/o the Connecticut Yankee Council, PO Box 32, Milford, CT 06461.
Comment by TriSec on 12/18/2012 16:12:56
I'm amazed by him, too. MOH winner in the Senate? Fought with the 442nd? Pearl Harbor Survivor?
One of the good ones, for sure. Rest easy, Senator. And Thanks.
TriSec on 12/18/2012 16:12:56
Quote by Mondobubba:
Aloha, Senator.
One of my personal heroes. War hero.
I'm amazed by him, too. MOH winner in the Senate? Fought with the 442nd? Pearl Harbor Survivor?
One of the good ones, for sure. Rest easy, Senator. And Thanks.
Comment by wickedpam on 12/18/2012 16:15:42
maybe set up a FB page to get the info out there
wickedpam on 12/18/2012 16:15:42
Quote by TriSec:
As a Scouting community, we come together especially in support of the Kowalski and Wheeler families. The Pack 170 leadership has asked that we set up a Memorial Fund to support the five families and donations can be made out to "Pack 170 Memorial Fund" c/o Connecticut Yankee Council, PO Box 32, Milford, CT 06461. We are working with Newtown Savings Bank to establish this fund.
In an effort to assist the families, we will collect cards and letters which can also be addressed to "Pack 170" c/o the Connecticut Yankee Council, PO Box 32, Milford, CT 06461.
maybe set up a FB page to get the info out there
Comment by Will in Chicago on 12/18/2012 16:17:15
America and the Senate lost a good man yesterday. May Senator Daniel Inouye's name be for a blessing.
Will in Chicago on 12/18/2012 16:17:15
Quote by TriSec:Quote by Mondobubba:
Aloha, Senator.
One of my personal heroes. War hero.
I'm amazed by him, too. MOH winner in the Senate? Fought with the 442nd? Pearl Harbor Survivor?
One of the good ones, for sure. Rest easy, Senator. And Thanks.
America and the Senate lost a good man yesterday. May Senator Daniel Inouye's name be for a blessing.
Comment by Mondobubba on 12/18/2012 16:28:18
Mondobubba on 12/18/2012 16:28:18
Quote by TriSec:Quote by Mondobubba:
Aloha, Senator.
One of my personal heroes. War hero.
I'm amazed by him, too. MOH winner in the Senate? Fought with the 442nd? Pearl Harbor Survivor?
One of the good ones, for sure. Rest easy, Senator. And Thanks.
Citation:
Second Lieutenant Daniel K. Inouye distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action on 21 April 1945, in the vicinity of San Terenzo, Italy. While attacking a defended ridge guarding an important road junction, Second Lieutenant Inouye skillfully directed his platoon through a hail of automatic weapon and small arms fire, in a swift enveloping movement that resulted in the capture of an artillery and mortar post and brought his men to within 40 yards of the hostile force. Emplaced in bunkers and rock formations, the enemy halted the advance with crossfire from three machine guns. With complete disregard for his personal safety, Second Lieutenant Inouye crawled up the treacherous slope to within five yards of the nearest machine gun and hurled two grenades, destroying the emplacement. Before the enemy could retaliate, he stood up and neutralized a second machine gun nest. Although wounded by a sniper’s bullet, he continued to engage other hostile positions at close range until an exploding grenade shattered his right arm. Despite the intense pain, he refused evacuation and continued to direct his platoon until enemy resistance was broken and his men were again deployed in defensive positions. In the attack, 25 enemy soldiers were killed and eight others captured. By his gallant, aggressive tactics and by his indomitable leadership, Second Lieutenant Inouye enabled his platoon to advance through formidable resistance, and was instrumental in the capture of the ridge. Second Lieutenant Inouye’s extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit on him, his unit, and the United States Army.
Comment by 
BobR on 12/18/2012 16:38:50
That seems to leave out the part where he was holding a grenade in his hand at the time his arm was mostly blown off, and he pulled the grenade out of his own dead hand and lobbed it anyway.
BobR on 12/18/2012 16:38:50
Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by TriSec:Quote by Mondobubba:
Aloha, Senator.
One of my personal heroes. War hero.
I'm amazed by him, too. MOH winner in the Senate? Fought with the 442nd? Pearl Harbor Survivor?
One of the good ones, for sure. Rest easy, Senator. And Thanks.
Citation:
Second Lieutenant Daniel K. Inouye distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action on 21 April 1945, in the vicinity of San Terenzo, Italy. While attacking a defended ridge guarding an important road junction, Second Lieutenant Inouye skillfully directed his platoon through a hail of automatic weapon and small arms fire, in a swift enveloping movement that resulted in the capture of an artillery and mortar post and brought his men to within 40 yards of the hostile force. Emplaced in bunkers and rock formations, the enemy halted the advance with crossfire from three machine guns. With complete disregard for his personal safety, Second Lieutenant Inouye crawled up the treacherous slope to within five yards of the nearest machine gun and hurled two grenades, destroying the emplacement. Before the enemy could retaliate, he stood up and neutralized a second machine gun nest. Although wounded by a sniper’s bullet, he continued to engage other hostile positions at close range until an exploding grenade shattered his right arm. Despite the intense pain, he refused evacuation and continued to direct his platoon until enemy resistance was broken and his men were again deployed in defensive positions. In the attack, 25 enemy soldiers were killed and eight others captured. By his gallant, aggressive tactics and by his indomitable leadership, Second Lieutenant Inouye enabled his platoon to advance through formidable resistance, and was instrumental in the capture of the ridge. Second Lieutenant Inouye’s extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit on him, his unit, and the United States Army.
That seems to leave out the part where he was holding a grenade in his hand at the time his arm was mostly blown off, and he pulled the grenade out of his own dead hand and lobbed it anyway.
Comment by TriSec on 12/18/2012 16:42:09
TriSec on 12/18/2012 16:42:09
MOH citations are usually dry. The real story is rather more compelling, if you can read it.
Comment by Mondobubba on 12/18/2012 16:49:15
Which is pretty bad-ass, if you ask me. You know not a one of the 21 members of the 442 was actually awarded an MOH during the war? They were upgraded in the 1990's.
Mondobubba on 12/18/2012 16:49:15
Quote by BobR:Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by TriSec:Quote by Mondobubba:
Aloha, Senator.
One of my personal heroes. War hero.
I'm amazed by him, too. MOH winner in the Senate? Fought with the 442nd? Pearl Harbor Survivor?
One of the good ones, for sure. Rest easy, Senator. And Thanks.
Citation:
Second Lieutenant Daniel K. Inouye distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action on 21 April 1945, in the vicinity of San Terenzo, Italy. While attacking a defended ridge guarding an important road junction, Second Lieutenant Inouye skillfully directed his platoon through a hail of automatic weapon and small arms fire, in a swift enveloping movement that resulted in the capture of an artillery and mortar post and brought his men to within 40 yards of the hostile force. Emplaced in bunkers and rock formations, the enemy halted the advance with crossfire from three machine guns. With complete disregard for his personal safety, Second Lieutenant Inouye crawled up the treacherous slope to within five yards of the nearest machine gun and hurled two grenades, destroying the emplacement. Before the enemy could retaliate, he stood up and neutralized a second machine gun nest. Although wounded by a sniper’s bullet, he continued to engage other hostile positions at close range until an exploding grenade shattered his right arm. Despite the intense pain, he refused evacuation and continued to direct his platoon until enemy resistance was broken and his men were again deployed in defensive positions. In the attack, 25 enemy soldiers were killed and eight others captured. By his gallant, aggressive tactics and by his indomitable leadership, Second Lieutenant Inouye enabled his platoon to advance through formidable resistance, and was instrumental in the capture of the ridge. Second Lieutenant Inouye’s extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit on him, his unit, and the United States Army.
That seems to leave out the part where he was holding a grenade in his hand at the time his arm was mostly blown off, and he pulled the grenade out of his own dead hand and lobbed it anyway.
Which is pretty bad-ass, if you ask me. You know not a one of the 21 members of the 442 was actually awarded an MOH during the war? They were upgraded in the 1990's.
Comment by 
livingonli on 12/18/2012 17:03:03
livingonli on 12/18/2012 17:03:03
Good day, folks. Ah, the days of cloudy, crappy weather and a strong urge to sleep.
Comment by Raine on 12/18/2012 17:21:41
Raine on 12/18/2012 17:21:41
Last night I had a friend ask me: Do you think it was the bullets, the magazine or the gun that killed those people?
I responded:
What I think, aside from what I wrote here (I'm saying in not so subtle words that the NRA is no friend to honest and responsible gun owners, something I have long said.) is that those magazines have no need in the general population. A person, a human being with a gun that used this this type of munition killed these children.
I may be projecting here, (and please forgive me if I am reading to much into it) but the idea that guns don't kill people, people kill people doesn't sit straight with me. We've both been around long enough to hear that phrase. It never made sense to me. People kill all the time. It's a shitty part of living in society.
Mass murders and spree killers almost always use guns. We have drunk drivers. we will always have them, but we passed laws to prevent drunk driving deaths. I'm honestly not trying to create a false equivalency here. My point is that something has to happen. The status quo is not working. The NRA wants to keep the status quo. (I remember when the NRA was a rifle group. it advocated safe gun/hunting tips-- it used to talk to hunters and how to bag that 10 pointer.)
Guns are manufactured for one reason: To kill. I want regulations on guns that have no other purpose than to kill many people all at once.
Self protection? I'm fine with that.. Does one need this kind of ammunition to protect their home?
The killer used bullets to kill those children--I have a problem with the delivery system.
Was this a decent response? He didn't respond.
I responded:
What I think, aside from what I wrote here (I'm saying in not so subtle words that the NRA is no friend to honest and responsible gun owners, something I have long said.) is that those magazines have no need in the general population. A person, a human being with a gun that used this this type of munition killed these children.
I may be projecting here, (and please forgive me if I am reading to much into it) but the idea that guns don't kill people, people kill people doesn't sit straight with me. We've both been around long enough to hear that phrase. It never made sense to me. People kill all the time. It's a shitty part of living in society.
Mass murders and spree killers almost always use guns. We have drunk drivers. we will always have them, but we passed laws to prevent drunk driving deaths. I'm honestly not trying to create a false equivalency here. My point is that something has to happen. The status quo is not working. The NRA wants to keep the status quo. (I remember when the NRA was a rifle group. it advocated safe gun/hunting tips-- it used to talk to hunters and how to bag that 10 pointer.)
Guns are manufactured for one reason: To kill. I want regulations on guns that have no other purpose than to kill many people all at once.
Self protection? I'm fine with that.. Does one need this kind of ammunition to protect their home?
The killer used bullets to kill those children--I have a problem with the delivery system.
Was this a decent response? He didn't respond.
Comment by Raine on 12/18/2012 17:53:38
Raine on 12/18/2012 17:53:38
I have been tempted to put this up on my FB page:
ACORN, a group that was falsely accused of misdoings is no longer in existence. The NRA who lobbies against munitions regulations still exists.
We will never have the answer to what it was that made this 20 year old child to kill. -- but we have facts here. Connecticut tried -- and failed to ban the munitions that ultimately killed 27 people. 20 of the dead were between the ages of 6-7.
How many people are dead because of the actions of ACORN? None.
How many are dead from the NRA preventing reasonable gun regulation ? No one can can honestly say NONE.
I believe sometimes this nations has it's priorities upside down and inside out.
ACORN, a group that was falsely accused of misdoings is no longer in existence. The NRA who lobbies against munitions regulations still exists.
We will never have the answer to what it was that made this 20 year old child to kill. -- but we have facts here. Connecticut tried -- and failed to ban the munitions that ultimately killed 27 people. 20 of the dead were between the ages of 6-7.
How many people are dead because of the actions of ACORN? None.
How many are dead from the NRA preventing reasonable gun regulation ? No one can can honestly say NONE.
I believe sometimes this nations has it's priorities upside down and inside out.
Comment by TriSec on 12/18/2012 18:34:31
TriSec on 12/18/2012 18:34:31
I am slowly coming to the realization that all online forums and social media, with a lone exception, are populated with the scum of the earth and the dregs of society.
One of my friends rather famously "defaced" himself recently and completely dropped offline. He hasn't missed much, IMHO.
Anyway...
One of my friends rather famously "defaced" himself recently and completely dropped offline. He hasn't missed much, IMHO.
Anyway...
Comment by wickedpam on 12/18/2012 19:15:45
back from the Post Office!
Ugh! I almost ended up on the Beltway via the Mixing Bowl!!!!!!!! I'm traumatized!
wickedpam on 12/18/2012 19:15:45
back from the Post Office!Ugh! I almost ended up on the Beltway via the Mixing Bowl!!!!!!!! I'm traumatized!
Comment by Will in Chicago on 12/18/2012 19:20:45
Raine, I would go ahead and post it. The NRA really represents the gun industry, not its membership when a majority now support gun control laws.
Will in Chicago on 12/18/2012 19:20:45
Quote by Raine:
I have been tempted to put this up on my FB page:
ACORN, a group that was falsely accused of misdoings is no longer in existence. The NRA who lobbies against munitions regulations still exists.
We will never have the answer to what it was that made this 20 year old child to kill. -- but we have facts here. Connecticut tried -- and failed to ban the munitions that ultimately killed 27 people. 20 of the dead were between the ages of 6-7.
How many people are dead because of the actions of ACORN? None.
How many are dead from the NRA preventing reasonable gun regulation ? No one can can honestly say NONE.
I believe sometimes this nations has it's priorities upside down and inside out.
Raine, I would go ahead and post it. The NRA really represents the gun industry, not its membership when a majority now support gun control laws.
Comment by TriSec on 12/18/2012 19:33:47
Say now, I'll trade you a Braintree Split for your Mixmaster. (I was there in May - seemed much improved from the last time we went that way.)
TriSec on 12/18/2012 19:33:47
Quote by wickedpam:
Ugh! I almost ended up on the Beltway via the Mixing Bowl!!!!!!!! I'm traumatized!
Say now, I'll trade you a Braintree Split for your Mixmaster. (I was there in May - seemed much improved from the last time we went that way.)
Comment by wickedpam on 12/18/2012 19:40:08
I don't drive on the Beltway - it makes me beyond anixous. In fact, I go out of my way to avoid any highway except I95 south to NC - that I can deal with.
wickedpam on 12/18/2012 19:40:08
Quote by TriSec:Quote by wickedpam:
Ugh! I almost ended up on the Beltway via the Mixing Bowl!!!!!!!! I'm traumatized!
Say now, I'll trade you a Braintree Split for your Mixmaster. (I was there in May - seemed much improved from the last time we went that way.)
I don't drive on the Beltway - it makes me beyond anixous. In fact, I go out of my way to avoid any highway except I95 south to NC - that I can deal with.
Comment by Raine on 12/18/2012 19:53:59
Mixing Bowl?
Raine on 12/18/2012 19:53:59
Quote by wickedpam:
Ugh! I almost ended up on the Beltway via the Mixing Bowl!!!!!!!! I'm traumatized!