These are the Times that Try Men's Souls...

August 1988 - Marine Corps Recruit Depot (aka Boot Camp) San Diego CA

In a dimly lit corner of Tun Tavern, on November 10, 1775, Uncle Sam recruited it first misguide child...and thus was born your beloved United States Marine Corps. A day later this great country will celebrate and remember the veterans of the Armed Services who fight the tireless fight of keeping the Wolf of the Door Step for over 233 years. Men far greater than I, who fought for freedom and liberty. Men like my Great Uncle Roy Andrews, who served in WWI and at age 45 reenlisted to fight in the South Pacific in WWII. (He lied about his age when he jump onto a Naval Ship.) By the way, both his sons went off to war as well, leaving Aunt Gladis to rely on the Lord Almighty for her entire family's protection.

The enemy has changed and evolved, from the British, to each other in the War between the states, to Nazis and Japanese, Communist Soviet Union, to the militant Jihadist.

Oh how the past week we were reminded that Jihad is ever present as an actual Army Major, sworn to protect U.S. Citizens from enemies both foreign and domestic, opened fire in Fort Hood killing 13 of America's finest.

Add political correctness to that enemy lists.

Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan openly became an Islamic extremist, attempting to contact Al Qaeda, and posted on websites voicing his praise to suicide bombers comparing them to Marines falling on grenades protecting their own. The Army admitted that the Scum was under investigation for months and communicated 10 to 20 times with a radical imam overseas who in the past came under scrutiny for possible links to terror groups. They say the communications began last year and continued into this year between Hasan and the imam, Anwar al-Awlaki, and that U.S. officials had been aware of them since last year. Anwar al-Awlaki hearled Hasas as a hero for such actions.

Why was he not gone?! WHY? Was it because the Army Brass was more afraid of ruffling feathers and political correctness by singling out an Army officer of the Muslim faith. Was the lack of reaction because the fear of "profiling"...because of political correctness. Have we reached such depths that we are more concerned with our careers rather that doing the right thing. What do you say to the families of the 13 deceased? My heart is heavy.

On Wednesday, we will remember those fallen soldiers. The emotions are still too raw not to.



This past weekend, about 20 minutes from my house, was a Civil War reenactment. I took my Cub Scout Den of 8 year old boys to witness history. The boys loved it, hearing the cannons going off, seeing the soldiers muster in formation, seeing the Cavalry gallop across the battlefield. For an hour the battle raged on as the troops continued to fight. The gun smoke hung around the ground, emanating an eerie feeling of death and anguish. Yes, the Civil War was a dark period of U.S. History...much like last week. As they closed the battle with the bugler playing TAPS, my mind turned to those soldiers that wore the blue and the gray uniforms. Whose service they gave as well. It is hard to imagine brother against brother and yet this country still remains.

I love this country....THANK YOU US Serviceman...for these are the times that try men's souls.