July 2010 - BlackFive - The Network of Care

First living Medal of Honor recipient since Vietnam

I have a piece that just went up announcing that SSG Sal Giunta of Battle Co. 2nd BN (ABN) 503rd INF will likely be the first living recipient of the Medal of Honor since Vietnam. I say likely since the official announcement has not been made, but we...

Published Thu, Jul 01 2010 7:40 AM by BLACKFIVE

Allen West campaign blog

Allen West has a blog on his campaign website and one of authors is his campaign manager Josh Grodin. Josh is a friend who used to work for Vets for Freedom. He is doing a great job in Allen's battle to win a seat in Congress. Check out the site and...

Published Fri, Jul 02 2010 2:51 AM by BLACKFIVE

Bill Kristol calls on Michael Steele to resign

Good gravy, this is a stunningly dense statement for the chair of the Republican National Committee to have made. Here is Bill Kristol taking him to task and calling for his resignation. Your tenure has of course been marked by gaffes and embarrassments...

Published Fri, Jul 02 2010 2:35 AM by BLACKFIVE

Blackfive Poll: 91% prefer less restrictive ROE

A recent Blackfive poll found that 91 percent of those surveyed found the military's rules of engagement (ROE) in Afghanistan "too restrictive." Eight percent were satisfied with the current ROE, while fewer than one percent felt the ROE...

Published Sun, Jul 04 2010 7:33 PM by BLACKFIVE

Filed under: Military

The Dry Land

Sean Linnane (nom de plume of a 1st Group comrade) was contacted by the folks who made the film The Dry Land. Here are some of his thoughts on this. The Outreach Team for THE DRY LAND - a film written and directed by Ryan Piers Williams - has contacted...

Published Tue, Jul 06 2010 1:12 AM by BLACKFIVE

ITC- Is Turkey still an ally?

Turkey is a member of NATO and has long been held out as an example of democracy and secular society in the Middle East. That has been changing since Prime Minister Erdogan came to power in 2003. He and his Justice and Development party have led the country...

Published Mon, Jul 12 2010 6:30 AM by BLACKFIVE

Something Different For A Saturday

Browsing through the internweb, I found this photo and laughed though unsurprised. Between two trips to the sandbox and some other adventures, my biggest surprise is that there is not another vehicle already on top. So, for those of you who have been...

Published Sat, Jul 10 2010 12:12 AM by BLACKFIVE

Filed under: Humor

Godspeed, Sergeant Matthew Leininger

I attended Sergeant Matthew Leininger's funeral on Friday. Matthew had been adopted by Soldiers Angels and the Matthew's family had requested that, in lieu of flowers, to donate to SA in Matthew's name. The Illinois Patriot Guard Riders were...

Published Mon, Jul 05 2010 3:32 AM by BLACKFIVE

Filed under: Military, Fallen But Never Forgotten

Some guys you just can't blow up

I love Marines and think everyone should have a squad or two. Here is one reason why. Lance Cpl. Edgar Jones, a combat engineer with the squad, found a pressure plate inside the compound and hollered to Garst, asking what he should do with it. Garst turned...

Published Mon, Jul 26 2010 7:16 AM by BLACKFIVE

Dead Tangos in Waziristan

Looks like the world's deadliest mobile communications device UJp has been at it again. The US carried out just its second Predator strike in Pakistan this month, killing 16 Taliban fighters in an attack on a Taliban compound in South Waziristan....

Published Sat, Jul 24 2010 5:05 AM by BLACKFIVE

SSG Patrick Zeigler - Someone You Should Know

From WFAA TV (Dallas/Ft Worth): Want to meet a real life superhero? A man whose strength and power defies what many believed was humanly possible? A man who defines the phrase "American soldier"? Meet Staff Sgt. Patrick Zeigler. For the past...

Published Mon, Jul 19 2010 11:50 PM by BLACKFIVE

Filed under: Someone You Should Know

More Mullah Omar

Brad Thor reports over at Big Peace that Afghan and Pakistani media have begun picking up the story he broke and we confirmed, that Mullah Omar is in Pakistani custody.

Published Tue, Jul 06 2010 4:48 AM by BLACKFIVE

The SEAL Creed

Hooyah! In times of war or uncertainty there is a special breed of warrior ready to answer our Nation’s call. A common man with uncommon desire to succeed. Forged by adversity, he stands alongside America’s finest special operations forces to serve his...

Published Sat, Jul 17 2010 11:57 AM by BLACKFIVE

Filed under: Military

USMC: Combat Artists

The NYT has a piece today on the Marine Corps' combat artists. Now, if you know Marines, you probably think you know what this piece is going to be about. You're probably wrong. “Somebody who just knocks our socks off is Gerhard Richter,” said...

Published Fri, Jul 16 2010 3:42 AM by BLACKFIVE

Filed under: Military, Military Humor

Medal of Honor history: Modrzejewski and Pope

44 years ago, Capt. Robert J. Modrzejewski and his men of Company K, Third Battalion, Fourth Marines, THIRD Marine Division were inserted by helicopter into an enemy-infested jungle near the De-Militarized Zone. Their mission was to set up a blocking...

Published Fri, Jul 16 2010 4:56 AM by BLACKFIVE