November 2009 - BlackFive - The Network of Care

Thanksgiving 2009: This Time At Home!

I've spent the last two Thanksgivings in Iraq, but not this year. It will be interesting to see how a real Thanksgiving dinner compares to the Army's! It's good to be home this year, but I hope you'll keep the deployed in your thoughts...

Published Wed, Nov 25 2009 10:18 PM by BLACKFIVE

No one more deserving...

Army Sgt. Maj. Robert Prosser, 5th Stryker Brigade Combat Team sergeant major, shakes actor Gary Sinise's hand after presenting him with the American flag and a special unit coin on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 26, 2009. Sinise visited wounded soldiers...

Published Fri, Nov 27 2009 1:40 AM by BLACKFIVE

Filed under: Caring For The Defenders, Picture of the Week

Manhunting

This dovetails so nicely with Jimbo's post on the Italian kidnapping/rendition case: The Joint Special Operations University's publication on "manhunting." This is not just targeted killing or detention, but encompasses a range of behaviors...

Published Wed, Nov 04 2009 8:48 AM by BLACKFIVE

A novel from one of our own

Juliette Ochieng is an AF vet who blogs as Baldilocks. Turns out she can handle the long form as well and has announced the release of a book. My newest project is a novel entitled Tale of the Tigers. It is an interracial love story set at a southwestern...

Published Thu, Nov 05 2009 12:52 AM by BLACKFIVE

Fort Hood Shooting - Aftermath

First, Soldiers' Angels is gathering cards for the families of the fallen and the wounded. SOLDIERS' ANGELS STANDING BY FOR FT. HOOD-- Collecting cards and NEW stuffed animals for the families and children of the fallen/wounded heroes. Please...

Published Thu, Nov 05 2009 11:19 PM by BLACKFIVE

Perfect day for kids playin' football

It's gorgeous here in VA, 60s with a bright blue sky, leaves blowing and the dog days of Summer behind us. I was out on my daily constitutional and stopped to watch some kids playing football. It is so much less violent that college or pro and it...

Published Sat, Nov 07 2009 4:00 AM by BLACKFIVE

In Preparation for the US Marine Corps Birthday Tomorrow

I'd ask that go to this post, read it, but more importantly, READ THE COMMENTS. Then, come back and read after the Jump. A Sergeant's last mission for his commander: I'm Sgt Maj Bill Skiles and I was Doug's 1st Sgt in Echo Co. in 2004...

Published Mon, Nov 09 2009 12:04 AM by BLACKFIVE

Filed under: Fallen But Never Forgotten

When Will Obama Act Like The Commander In Chief?

I am not impressed. You may say I was set up not to be impressed simply because of my ideological preferences and the fact that Barack Obama is the antithesis of those preferences. But this has nothing to do with politics. No I don't agree with most...

Published Sun, Nov 08 2009 11:15 PM by BLACKFIVE

Filed under: Bust Their Chops

CNN interviews PVT Joe Foster - Another Hero Emerges

Another reason to be proud of our troops. Another Hero emerges from this incident. Listen to his comments about the experience, being Irish, and heading to Afghanistan.

Published Mon, Nov 09 2009 4:36 AM by BLACKFIVE

Filed under: Military, Current Affairs, Caring For The Defenders

Which one?

Which one was the Department of Homeland Security concerned about?

Published Mon, Nov 09 2009 9:03 PM by BLACKFIVE

ReMIND.org & Stand Up For Heroes

Last Wednesday, I had the honor to attend the third annual Stand Up For Heroes gala in New York. A fundraiser for the Bob Woodruff Foundation/ReMIND.org, it brings together a variety of people to raise money for our wounded. Not only that, but the first...

Published Tue, Nov 10 2009 12:08 AM by BLACKFIVE

Filed under: Caring For The Defenders, Soldiers' Angels, Valour-IT, remind.org, Lampanelli, Louis CK, colbert, ReMIND, hargitay, Stand Up For Heroes

Honoring the Sacrifices: Police Officers in Washington State

A reader writes to point out that the Washington police officers killed at a coffee shop were all married men with children, and that it is right we remember the police who serve as well as those in the military. I asked for, and have now received, information...

Published Mon, Nov 30 2009 7:18 AM by BLACKFIVE

President to unveil strategy tonight

Well the long-awaited day is here and tonight we will here President Obama's revisit to his new strategy for Afghanistan. Reports have the number for a troop reinforcement at 34,000 which is short of what Gen. McChrystal called his medium risk option...

Published Mon, Nov 30 2009 11:28 PM by BLACKFIVE

A New Campaign for the Warrior Legacy Foundation

In honor of this very special Veterans Day, the Warrior Legacy Foundation is letting you all in on a little secret- they are letting out a sneak preview of a new fundraising and awareness campaign- all led by WLF Board Member and Country Singer Derek...

Published Tue, Nov 10 2009 2:47 PM by BLACKFIVE

Filed under: Current Affairs, Caring For The Defenders, Pop Culture

On The 11th Day at the 11th Hour....

Today, little Deebow asked me "Daddy, what are those for?" I told him that these were to honor the sacrifice of the men that Daddy was in the war with. Then he asked, "What's a war?" I didn't know what to say.... I don't...

Published Wed, Nov 11 2009 1:57 AM by BLACKFIVE