Thanks go out to all of my friends in cyber-land for your patience with me over the course of the years. Your faith and inspiration is the only reason I’m still here. A special hat tip goes out to the Gray Dog and John Kerry for influencing me during the 2004 election cycle. Kerry was the last straw for this Vietnam Vet and was the ultimate wakeup call. The Gray Dog made me realize we could still make a difference, and that the war was still at hand, just in a different realm.

Our latest additions to the web:

Rurik has assembled a good team that you need to check out. Thumbs up to all of you!

I try to ignore the gravity of our current situation for the most part, but physics always wins out in the long run folks. It’s like everything else: you either learn to live with it, or die trying. After all, life is a challenge by nature. If it isn’t, well, you’re probably just not doing something right.

IOR would also like to welcome James Rawles to the blog roll.

Here’s the picture I used for the above graphics. It’s the bugs bottom taken from the backside of the web. See the eyes, that’s the illusion. Reality wins again folks…….
Here’s the view from topside.

And that should explain that.

My good friend Gray Dog and Ron Winter both attended the Gathering of Eagles in DC March 14-15 2008. I received my signed copy of Rons book today. Thanks Gray Dog, it’s an excellent read, very hard to put down. Ron does an excellent job of explaining what it takes to be a Marine and how you get there. Thanks go out to both of you!

Update 04/21/08: Well as it turns out, I couldn’t put it down and finished it last night. Vietnam was a whole lot different than it was portrayed by the MSM, as is still the case today. Those of us who fought along side of our Montagnard and Vietnamese friends gave it our all and know the true story. We’ve seen the man behind the curtain…….

From Gray Dog:

Eagle Pride Rolls Through Berkeley

Nice Job MC!

From Flopping Aces:

Eagles Up! In Berkeley Today

And the beat goes on…..

H/T also goes out to Move America Forward!

and

William (1stCav) Page who sent me the following link:
Protest Shooter Pictures from Berkeley

Fighting the Insurgency at Home
Action Alert

Who: Gathering of Eagles, Eagles Up!, Rolling Thunder, and more!
What: Eagles Muster to denounce Winter Soldier II
Where: Washington, DC and Silver Springs, MD
When: Friday and Saturday, March 14 and 15.

Gray Dog has a photo gallery posted at Eagles Up. And yes, I’m proud to say I recognize some of these people. Thanks also go out to BC at StopLiberals.com for your support.

This Ain’t Hell has some good coverage of the events. Thanks Jonn!

The following Video is from the Young America’s Foundation and Hot Air.

United Conservatives of Virginia has a Winter Soldier II roundup. Check it out, it’s a good blog.
Winter Soldier Roundup from UCV

Socialism and Obama seem to go hand-in-hand. National Security or surrender? Click on the button and then you decide. Push it. You know you want to……….

IN 52 SECS WHY BARACK OBAMA CANNOT WIN A GENERAL ELECTION

H/T to Gray Dog and the rest of the Eagles.

Children of the corn

Since 2001, ethanol production has quadrupled from 1.6 billion gallons in 2000 to an estimated 6.4 billion gallons in 2007, with the vast majority coming from corn. In 2005, the United States became the world’s leading ethanol producer, and last year, the U.S. accounted for nearly half of worldwide ethanol production.

H/T to you also CSM Pendry.

We’re starting to get some video and pictures from “The Gathering of Eagles” in DC Saturday.

Here’s some video for ya. Link HERE

Michelle Malkin has more HERE

Then read this: Antiwar Protest Fizzles

UPDATE 09/18/07:

Yankee Mom has put together a nice post that includes a multitude of links to pictures and videos from The Gathering of Eagles event. Thanks Yankee Mom!

Other Stuff….

Oil Industry ‘Sleepwalking Into Crisis’

Israelis ‘blew apart Syrian nuclear cache’

We Americans are a mix of birds,
Some soarers, others grounders;
And from their strong, enduring words,
More Eagles were among our Founders.
But different birds this domain share,
Some soaring, some just clucking;
While Eagles soar, patrol the air;
Penned Chickens wait for plucking.

Eagles have sharp, raptor eyes,
Not so in birds fear stricken;
An Eagle fights to own his skies,
Not so the hen-housed Chicken.
Feckless fowl, they placidly peck,
Flocking to their foolish fate,
Flashing blade on feathered neck,
Must they always learn too late?

That’s why we use the very word
To taunt those who won’t fight;
A Chicken is some fear-filled bird,
Whose fear provokes his plight.
Frightened fowl will surrender all,
Hoping for a peaceful ending,
Unmindful that their heads may fall,
Blind to bright blades descending.

But Eagles being bolder birds,
Seek our enemies in their lair,
Screaming Eagles, forgoing words,
Strike with deadly talons there.
Proud raptors who together fight
Know something Chickens never will,
Love of country and birthright,
A rara avis grounder skill.

The anti-war capons of Answer
And hysterical hens of Code Pink,
Let bird flu turn into fowl cancer,
And their pen is beginning to stink.
As they flock to the Mall in September
To disgrace and dishonor their nation
It would behoove them to remember
Watchful Eagles are on station.

Russ Vaughn
101st Airborne (Screaming Eagles)
Vietnam 65-66

This is the mind set of the anti-war crowd in a nutshell. They are no different than those that turn grave stones over in our cemeteries. They are child like in nature, and have no respect for anyone or anything. They are a bunch of chicken shit losers that don’t have the balls to fight a real war.

The perpetrators used a liquid with an oil base to inflict some very significant damage to the entire length of the wall. I know I’m not alone in my outrage at the audacity of these clowns that can only see America and its hero’s as something to be trashed.

The YouTube video from Free Republic is HERE

Eagles Up has the pictures posted HERE also.

I thought they watched our monuments in DC a lot closer than this folks. Don’t they use cameras to monitor all of that important stuff?
Anyhow, the Code pink and ANSWER crowd make a big splash every time they show up in DC. It’s nothing but a clown show of course, but the main stream press eats it up, and won’t even touch something like this. Nooooo….. It’s all about how well the Hsu thing was handled by the Clinton Camp. I’m really starting to hate clowns. They sure as hell shouldn’t be running the rodeo.

This upcoming event to counter the ANSWER crowd and the leftist whiners/losers in Washington, DC on 09/15/07 is getting some good coverage. I for one can appreciate the fact that we’re attracting the attention of some of the major players in American politics this time around. G. Gordon Liddy is on our side anyhow, so you can bet it’s a good thing we’re doing for our country here folks. Thanks for giving us a shout-out on todays show G-Man.
For those of you that can make the trip; thanks from the bottom of my heart, it makes this Veteran-American (Vietnam Veteran) proud to be associated with all of you. You’re the best of the best.

Colonel’s Corner - August 29, 2007

The days surrounding September 15 appear to be taking on a vital time for America…many officials testifying to Congress for and against various issues related to national security, the Commander-in-Chief is reported as preparing some policy announcement, anti-America elements preparing to spread false, misleading, and distorted messages…and further, American troops will be watching, listening, praying about all this, and yes, probably dying during this week, in hopes America will not let them down…not abandon moms, dads, sons, and daughters in harms way……….

I have a message for our gallant warriors and their families…Eagles will have your back and the back of your Commander, General Petraeus, in Washington, DC on September 15…..we will not abandon or betray over 200 years of warrior sacrifices to a minority willing to surrender it all.

The dog days of August have drawn to a close. This is the calm before the gathering political storm. On Sept. 15, the far-left group ANSWER (”Act Now to Stop War and End Racism”) will descend on the nation’s capital to demand what they’ve been demanding for the last six years in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks: immediate withdrawal from Iraq and Afghanistan; immediate closure of the Guantanamo Bay detention facility and immediate release of every last suspected al Qaeda operative in American custody; immediate impeachment of President Bush and Vice President Cheney; and immediate capitulation to our enemies at home and abroad.

Link Here

Never Forget!

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And this with a hat tip to BlackFive:

“For those who have fought for it, freedom has a taste the protected will never know”

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This Ain’t Hell is covering the Gathering of Eagles/Rolling Thunder rally in DC this weekend and has posted some good pictures of the event and some links. Nice job…

This is the part you didn’t see on your TV sets or anywhere else in the Lame Stream Media.

This is my reality. The MSM provide illusions that only distract me when I’m not ignoring them in the first place. Nice job Eagles!

You can get it here also:

I’ve got to say that this is one grass roots movement that truly gives me hope for my countries future, but to quote Gray Dog, it’s probably “Only the Beginning”.

Bill Faith at Old War Dogs has done an excellent job covering this event, so make that your first stop for up to date info. This is the link: Eagles Up!

Video Links:

Pictures: Baron Bodissey posted these at Gates of Vienna.

Jeff has more HERE.

BMC at StopLiberals posted these. LINK 

Redhunter posted some good ones HERE.

This ain’t Hell posted these.

The Hot Air team was on the scene also.

Thanks go out to all of you that made the trip to DC and proudly displayed America’s true colors. I salute you………

Could this sort of thing become a trend?

Little Green Footballs posted this Feb. 23, 2007.

Age of Hooper: Gathering of Eagles and International ANSWER

Fly high you Eagles, soar,
On you we all depend.
To serve, to stand, support our war,
Our fallen to defend.
Stand firm, stand brave before our Wall;
Deal those a sorry fate,
Who answer Fonda’s hateful call:
Our nation they must hate.

Fly high you Eagles, soar,
Your keen eyes see below,
The leftist fools oppose this war,
To them no low’s too low.
They seek our Wall to desecrate,
To enhance their losing cause;
They seek to doom our nation’s fate;
They see nothing but our flaws.

Fly high you Eagles, soar,
Above those who seek defeat,
Who seek submission, nothing more,
To a terror they can’t meet.
They falter when the course is long;
They’re weak-willed, failed and bitter;
Got it all entirely wrong,
So typical of a quitter.

Fly high you Eagles, soar,
Stand proud before our Wall;
You are the nation’s heart, the core,
The essence of us all.
Know that we stand there with you,
In spirit and in soul,
America’s not lost, not through,
We’ve a long, long way to go.

Fly high you Eagles, soar, from your lofty, special station,
Know this is true forever more; you’ve the blessing of your nation.

Russ Vaughn
Vietnam Veteran

Facing the Wall

When we band together on March 17, 2007, we will turn our back on those that have turned their backs on America.  We will face the Wall.  I have a new project that I hope will also “face” the Wall.  Please read what has been posted at the original GOE forum, and hopefully will be posted in many locations this weekend:

Fellow GOE Participants:

Many of you have seen the Flash Video I literally threw together on a Saturday afternoon almost two weeks ago.  If you have not, please click on http://thegraydog.org/?p=102.  Your response has been both kind and overwhelming.  I now have had an idea for a tribute video that would represent the ‘WHY” we are meeting this March 17, 2007.  For me this could be the largest project I have taken on to date.

What I am asking you for is help.  This is perhaps the last time I will have such an opportunity to be able to communicate directly with such a large group of vets that would be required to pull off this project.  So, here is the idea

I am asking that anyone who would like to participate to please send to me the following:

• a digital picture of a service member whose name is on the Wall
• the service member’s name, rank and other info you may care to share.
• the names of the survivor’s or the relationship of those that are honoring the service member (this could be a fellow service member as well)
• Really important if you can, a digital picture of the wall that show’s your service members name – or -  a digital picture of your wall tracing of the service member’s name.
• If you are a fellow service member that does not have a picture of the person you wish to honor, I will include a separate section for just names.

I cannot accept physical paper pictures.  If you do not have a digital version, you can have your photos scanned at any business or office supply store such as Kinkos, Office Max, Office Depot or Staples.  Either .jpg or .gif formats preferred. Please, nothing larger than 800 X 600 pixels. 

What I am trying to produce is a tasteful tribute that puts faces on the wall and will serve as a reminder of why we are going to be there on the 17^th to defend and protect it.

The actual length and scope of the project will largely depend upon your interest and response.  If possible I will strive to have a product available prior to that weekend.

What will the product be?

• First, I will have a version that will be viewable on the internet. 
• Second, I will have a version that is downloadable free to those that participated.
• Third, if there is enough demand, I will create high quality DVD versions that will be available to those that participated at the actual cost of production and shipping. Blank DVD, Jewel Case, Card Insert, etc, plus what ever shipping is involved.  I would also ask that a donation be made to an appropriate Veterans charity.  Anyone else wishing to obtain the DVD will need to make a donation to a Vets charity to be determined.
• Fourth, depending on demand, there may be a need for multiple Volumes.  This project could continue beyond this initial GOE event.
• Please include your real name, address and if you feel comfortable a phone number.

MOST OF ALL I PROMISE TO PRODUCE A TASTEFUL AND APPROPRIATE TRIBUTE!

The initial video run time is scheduled to be 10 minutes.  It will contain content on a first come, first serve basis.  If you are interested and wish to participate please send digital pictures and other requested info to:

                        alpha@thegraydog.org

Forum Administrators:  Please broadcast email/pm to your forum members so that they can see this quickly and respond.  Thank you.

When: 9:30 a.m.
Thursday, February 22, 2007

Where: The National Press Club
First Amendment Lounge
529 14th St., NW, 13th Floor
Washington, D.C. 20045

Who: Larry Bailey, Co-Chairman, Gathering of Eagles
Ted Shpak, National Legislative Director, Rolling Thunder
Jeff Roy, National Junior Vice Commander, Military Order of the Purple Heart

Spokesmen for three veterans organizations which are urging their members to rally in Washington, D.C. on March 17, 2007, to protect the Vietnam Veterans Memorial (The Wall) from antiwar protesters will be holding a press conference at 9:30 a.m., Thursday, February 22, 2007, at the National Press Club to announce their plans to protect The Wall and rally for America’s servicemen and women serving in Iraq.

Word has been spreading like wildfire across the country in the veterans’ community about the plans of an anti-American group to hold an antiwar rally on Saturday, March 17, 2007 at, according to their announcement, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial (Constitution Gardens.)

The Gathering of Eagles was formed by Vietnam veterans to protect the Vietnam Veterans Memorial from being desecrated as the Capitol was at an antiwar march last month. While there is no way to accurately gauge attendance, it is expected that thousands of veterans, their families and other patriotic Americans will gather that day to protect The Wall and other war memorials. In addition to Rolling Thunder and the Military Order of the Purple Heart, participants in the Gathering of Eagles rally include Move America Forward, which is organizing a cross-country caravan that will bring Gold and Blue Star parents and veterans to the Gathering of Eagles, and FreeRepublic.com.

The Gray Dog gives us some insight into the “Gathering of Eagles” mindset that a lot of old Vet’s seem to have these days with his post  HERE: http://thegraydog.org/?p=103_

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Can a debt ever be repaid to those not here to collect?  Can any act or deed we may do, be enough to mark that debt “Paid in Full?”  The simple answer is no.  The simple truth is that we must never quit trying.  “A Gathering of Eagles” has become a clarion call that rings in my ears and pounds in my chest.  For many, March 17, 2007 will be just one more time they have answered this call, for others this has become the last-best chance to stand with their brothers and sisters and place a down payment on that debt.  That is why I ask the question, “If not now, when?” I began to write this post last Monday.  I have re-written it several times in the past few days. That happens sometimes.  I get hung up on a title I like, and then I can’t write something appropriate to match. The working title has always been “If not now, when?”  It was this morning while browsing through the forum for “A Gathering of Eagles” that I saw this response to a troll by the name of “Patrick Henry.”   Patrick had been goading forum members for several days with the statement “But, I still don’t understand your mission,” or referring to the Vietnam Memorial as a “black wall in a hole.”  There were several well reasoned responses worthy of mention, but the following one stuck with me.  It was written by a vet who professed to me “…writing has never been one of my strong skills…”  My response is, “Your English teacher may have given you a ‘C’ for this response, but your Civics, History and Ethics teachers would have given this an A+.  I did.”

The following is reprinted with full permission from the author, John Cut.  At his request I have modified minor typos.

Read the rest of this entry »

The anti-war crowd is planning to start a march at the Vietnam Memorial Wall on March 17 and desecrate something I hold as sacred. It’s the same old crowd, doing the same old shit. This time around however they’ll be met by a group of distinguished Veterans’ and proud Veteran-American’s that still believe in the sanctity of certain things and willing to do something about it.

Thanks go out to all of my good friends who are making the trip to counter that same bunch of fools we had to deal with in the 60-70’s. I won’t be there, but I’ll stand taller knowing I’m being well represented. It’s time we release the hounds now. Sickem Dogs!

If you are interested in participating or monitoring this event check out the forum here: http://www.gatheringofeagles.org/forum/

Read this article by “The Gray Dog” and you’ll understand why we do it: http://thegraydog.org/?p=103