Argghhh!

There is only one Medal awarded for actions on this day. Vietnam, 1971. And he was a local boy to the Castle.*ADAMS, WILLIAM E. Rank and organization: Major, U.S. Army, A/227th Assault Helicopter Company, 52d Aviation Battalion, 1st Aviation Brigade. Place and Date: Kontum Province, Republic of Vietnam, 25 May 1971. Entered Service at: Kansas City, Mo. Born: 16 June 1939, Casper, Wyo. Citation: Maj. Adams distinguished himself on 25 May 1971 while serving as a helicopter pilot in Kontum Province...

Going into this weekend can cause a bit of cognitive dissonance for many of my people. For my tribe, it is a day of remembrance for the fallen and departed, like the Auld Soldier. For most people, it's baseball, barbecue, brats, beer, and the beginning of summer. A not insignificant number of my military friends and family can get sad and yes, angry, at the celebratory aspect of things. I do not.

U.S. Marines with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron (HMM) 364, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW) from Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, assist in the efforts of containing the Cocos Fire in San Marcos, Calif., May 15, 2014. 3rd MAW partnered with the Calif. Department of Forestry and Fire Protection to conduct aerial firefighting against several wildfires ablaze in San Diego County. (U.S. Marine Corps photograph by Corporal Tyler C. Gregory, 3rd MAW COMCAM)

...to go with the German one from last week. GEW98 and Berthier M1907/15 in the loops.

Sign me up. And start with Secretary Shinseki. Because he's thoroughly a part of the problem, and isn't going to be a part of the solution. The whole farce with the "resignation" of Peltzer just shows it's going to be smoke and mirrors until the furor dies down. The key is to not let it die down. But I doubt the media is going to be much help on that. Until a Republican gets into the White House. Then the demands for a house-cleaning will be legion. Until it becomes apparent...

First, Secretary Shinseki beclowned himself in hearings today. Go home, General. Thanks for your interest in veterans and national defense. Then there's this juicy quote from William Schoenhard, deputy undersecretary for health administrative operations, in an NBC article: "Wrote Schoenhard, “Please be cautioned that since 2008, additional new or modified gaming strategies may have emerged, so do not consider this list a full description of all current possibilities of inappropriate...