The Four Horsemen of the Arockalypse is the only (that I'm aware of) sanctioned heavy metal Army band. These are four great guys, serving their country in Iraq with the 3rd Infantry Division...and rockin' out!
You may not fully appreciate this style of music, but I'm sure you can appreciate they put together a top-quality song that was written, recorded, videotaped, and produced by Soldiers now serving in Iraq. That alone is impressive.
They travel to military bases all over Iraq raising the morale and providing entertainment wherever they go. Oh, and did I tell you?.....They ROCK! Check out the link below...
Rock of the Marne!!
http://www.youtube.com/TFMarnePAO#p/a/u/1/oCNpIH7r_Sw
27 August 2010
23 August 2010
There's a new Lt. Col. in the Army!!
Since you all couldn't be here to celebrate with me, I thought I'd post it for you to see. My wife was able to watch via video teleconference, so if you see me talking off camera, I'm talking to her on a video screen. It was a nice day. I feel blessed.
http://vimeo.com/14423553
Click the link to see the video.
"If you're looking around the room and can't identify the dud...maybe you're the dud!"
--A really smart guy
25 December 2009
16 December 2009
Camp Ashraf
I took off this week to help out on a situation brewing at Camp Ashraf. Ashraf is occupied by the Me K, a dissident Iranian group that left Iran in the 1980s to help Saddam against the mullahs in the Iran-Iraq War. They are a crazy lot.
The have marriage, but abstain from contact with their spouses, choosing instead to live in barracks type conditions separate from each other. They are led by women, which is odd in this culture. They are very disciplined, conducting group exercise every morning and evening.
They are, however very intelligent, with many doctors and engineers among them. You might say they were cultish--some have described them that way. If you want some more detail, then Google them, but the bottom line is, the current Iraqi government wants to move these people to a new location and they don't want to move. They have spent over 20 years in the camp and have spent $22million to make it nice...and it is. Much nicer than many other Iraqi towns I've seen.
The issue is also that there is a US FOB co-located with Ashraf. The US used to give these people protected status, but it is a sovereignty issue now, and the Iraqis need to work it out.
The Me K don't want to go quietly, so there is the possibility for violence (as happened in July 2009).
Point is, I went to help the unit deal with what we see as a potentially hot event, with plenty of media attention. I would assist to develop talking points, set up interviews, address questions, and report on the event with our own broadcast journalists.
The Iraqi's plan was to do a "soft move" and bring in buses to the camp, and invite the Me K to get on board. "Hey, these look like nice buses...I think I'll climb aboard and let these guys drop me off 100s of miles from my home and put me in a tent to live." How does that plan sound to you?
Actually it's an honest attempt to do this peacefully. It's not our problem to fix--they have to be able to work out these difficulties within the framework of humanitarian treatment of these people and the rules outlined in their constitution. I expect to go out there again.
04 December 2009
I wish I had better news...
I just received word that my lovely Grandma Allen passed away yesterday. I am grateful that I had her in my life for so long. She filled my childhood with many wonderful memories of warmth and love. I will cherish those memories and pass on those experiences to my own children, so they too can appreciate everything she meant to our family.
I remember as a young boy visiting her at the jewelry store where she worked in downtown Lincoln, Illinois. She seemed to take real joy in her work...the kind of joy that she showed in all areas of her life. Sure, everyone has a bad day and not everything is wonderful all the time, but I never knew her to be angry, cross or bitter about anything. She was always cheery and fun-loving, sharing her love for people and life.
PawPaw and Grandma are together again. That makes me happy to think about. She so loved my grandfather. It was obvious in so many ways, but became painfully apparent after PawPaw passed away in 1989. I was a senior in college and I remember how from that time forward Grandma would always talk to, and about PawPaw. She talked about the good times we all shared together, and while the rawness of the loss eventually healed, she never lost that affection for my grandfather.
Her other true love was her family. She would frequently remark that she couldn't believe how large and successful her family had become, with great-grandchildren, grandchildren, and children all bringing her pride. It is true we all sprang from this humble couple from central Illinois, but to me they were the root of a family of character and love. Their demonstration of hard work, tolerance, and love speak to me even today.
So now, as I reflect on her life and the influence she has on me, I send my condolences to the rest of my family. I know you will soon gather to share memories and celebrate her life. I'm sorry I won't be there with you, to share in the celebration. Please know that it's only distance that separates me, but the bond of Grandma's memory draws me close.
Grandma, I love you. Rest peacefully, brimming in the rich reward in our Lord, Christ Jesus.
I remember as a young boy visiting her at the jewelry store where she worked in downtown Lincoln, Illinois. She seemed to take real joy in her work...the kind of joy that she showed in all areas of her life. Sure, everyone has a bad day and not everything is wonderful all the time, but I never knew her to be angry, cross or bitter about anything. She was always cheery and fun-loving, sharing her love for people and life.
PawPaw and Grandma are together again. That makes me happy to think about. She so loved my grandfather. It was obvious in so many ways, but became painfully apparent after PawPaw passed away in 1989. I was a senior in college and I remember how from that time forward Grandma would always talk to, and about PawPaw. She talked about the good times we all shared together, and while the rawness of the loss eventually healed, she never lost that affection for my grandfather.
Her other true love was her family. She would frequently remark that she couldn't believe how large and successful her family had become, with great-grandchildren, grandchildren, and children all bringing her pride. It is true we all sprang from this humble couple from central Illinois, but to me they were the root of a family of character and love. Their demonstration of hard work, tolerance, and love speak to me even today.
So now, as I reflect on her life and the influence she has on me, I send my condolences to the rest of my family. I know you will soon gather to share memories and celebrate her life. I'm sorry I won't be there with you, to share in the celebration. Please know that it's only distance that separates me, but the bond of Grandma's memory draws me close.
Grandma, I love you. Rest peacefully, brimming in the rich reward in our Lord, Christ Jesus.
29 November 2009
Patch Ceremony
In the Army we are all about stuff on our uniforms. Stuff that means something. Stuff that has a history and is wrought with tradition.The Shoulder Sleeve Insignia (SSI) is part of this stuff. Oh, and we like acronyms too. The SSI is worn on both the left and possibly the right shoulder of the ACU (Advanced Combat Uniform, duh!) The uniform regulation says you have to wear the SSI of the unit you are currently a part of on the left sleeve. The right sleeve is reserved for the patch of the unit you have deployed with in combat.
Before 9/11 rarely did you see people with the right sleeve SSI, or "combat patch". The Gulf War in 1991 was the last time it was doled out, so by 2001, not too many people had it.
9/11 changed all that, and now everyone has it. So much so, if you see someone in uniform without a unit patch on their right shoulder you catch yourself wondering, "Where's that knucklehead been hiding out all this time that he hasn't deployed yet?"
I am authorized to wear the patch of the 101st Airborne Division, "Screaming Eagles", for my last deployment in 2005-2006. I am proud of my time with that unit and I generally think the 101st patch is one of the coolest looking patches in the Army.
Now that I'm here with the 3rd Infantry Division, I am now authorized to wear the Marne Division Patch on my right sleeve. Technically I can only wear one at a time on my right sleeve, so I have to choose. The commander is famous for saying, "Love the one you're with." So, I am proudly wearing the patch of the mightly 3rd ID.
We had a patch ceremony not too long ago to kind of reinforce that tradition of the right sleeve SSI. Maj. Gen. Cucolo did an awesome job as usual delivering a speech that lasered in on what it means to be a part of this division, to serve, to serve voluntarily in a time of war, and to be here and now with the Marne Division.
He honored me by "patching" my right shoulder with the familiar blue and white diagonal striped patch. I can honestly say I am proud to wear it, and proud to be a part of this storied division. Me and Audie Murphy. (If you don't know who that is, look it up, you'll be a better person for it.)
26 November 2009
Thanksgiving Day
The Thanksgiving meals were over abundant. The contracted food service people here do a great job in making it special. They're from India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and other Asian nations and they are very skilled in carving melons, baking intricate breads, molding butter into shapes, and ice carving. I even saw an alligator made out of pineapples, with pointy crab legs as his jagged teeth. He was about 7 foot long! I hope to post some photos.
I got to serve the meal at lunch time for a couple hours. Several of the officers and senior NCOs volunteered to work the chow line, dipping, and ladleing, and scooping onto the Soldiers' plates.
At 1100 this morning we had a combined worship service. Let me back up...
Yesterday morning I fell out of bed and was stumbling along the rock trail to the shower chu when I noticed a billowing tower of thick, black smoke in the near distance. As I cleared the Hesco barriers I could see that the smoke was originating from the building that housed my TV studio...plus the theater, an MWR center, gym, coffee shop, several small offices, and the chapel.
Come to find out, the building was indeed on fire, completely gutting the building. We were wondering, among other matters, where would we do the Thanksgiving service. Plus, what was the condition of all of the musical instruments and sound equipment that were in the chapel.
As things would have it, country music star Aaron Tippen was here Wednesday night to perform for the troops on a USO tour. The MWR folks decided to leave up the stage in the main gym, and to provide us with instruments and such that they had in storage, so we could have our service. And they have set aside a room for us, with instruments, to have our services every Sunday. What a blessing!
So, we executed our worship service which was a combination of the contemporary service I regularly attend and the gospel service. I didn't play for the service, but I wish I had...I just couldn't commit to the extra practices. The contemporary "Spirit of the Rock " band played two songs in our style, the gospel "Spirit of the Rock" played three in their style, but when the two groups came together on stage, it was simply wonderful. Not only was the music so much better, but it was a grouping of Christians the way Christ intended...people from all sorts of backgrounds coming together in praise. It was truly an amazing thing to see. The songs were interspersed by prayers of thanks lifted up by the Chaplains. It was a very nice event.
So, in between all of that, I did my regular work: press releases, powerpoint slides, working groups, meetings, etc. Sort of an unusual Thanksgiving. But I was so thankful to have it.
I got to serve the meal at lunch time for a couple hours. Several of the officers and senior NCOs volunteered to work the chow line, dipping, and ladleing, and scooping onto the Soldiers' plates.
At 1100 this morning we had a combined worship service. Let me back up...
Yesterday morning I fell out of bed and was stumbling along the rock trail to the shower chu when I noticed a billowing tower of thick, black smoke in the near distance. As I cleared the Hesco barriers I could see that the smoke was originating from the building that housed my TV studio...plus the theater, an MWR center, gym, coffee shop, several small offices, and the chapel.
Come to find out, the building was indeed on fire, completely gutting the building. We were wondering, among other matters, where would we do the Thanksgiving service. Plus, what was the condition of all of the musical instruments and sound equipment that were in the chapel.
As things would have it, country music star Aaron Tippen was here Wednesday night to perform for the troops on a USO tour. The MWR folks decided to leave up the stage in the main gym, and to provide us with instruments and such that they had in storage, so we could have our service. And they have set aside a room for us, with instruments, to have our services every Sunday. What a blessing!
So, we executed our worship service which was a combination of the contemporary service I regularly attend and the gospel service. I didn't play for the service, but I wish I had...I just couldn't commit to the extra practices. The contemporary "Spirit of the Rock " band played two songs in our style, the gospel "Spirit of the Rock" played three in their style, but when the two groups came together on stage, it was simply wonderful. Not only was the music so much better, but it was a grouping of Christians the way Christ intended...people from all sorts of backgrounds coming together in praise. It was truly an amazing thing to see. The songs were interspersed by prayers of thanks lifted up by the Chaplains. It was a very nice event.
So, in between all of that, I did my regular work: press releases, powerpoint slides, working groups, meetings, etc. Sort of an unusual Thanksgiving. But I was so thankful to have it.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)