Wow. We're showing up all over the blogosphere lately. Here are some blogs who have mentioned us, link to us, or are just in general places you should visit:

Echo9er - US Army Sergeant Major (ret.) blogs about items of military and general interest.

JackArmy - Blogged by a qualified static-line jumpmaster and Army Recruiter, you'll find personal anecdotes, dry humor, and news-related items here.

Gunghosauce - All right, not a blog, really, but Marine Cpl. Seamus Garrahy (ret.) has what he vows is "the best steak sauce on the planet," and also maintains the "All Hands" mailing list. Other info of interest to Marines and civies alike can be found here.

American Soldier - Posted about this blog earlier, when it hit the big 150k visitors. To describe it, I'll use his words: "If you keep coming back you will find this site to be out of the norm yet informative. Some days I may post about the simple mundane world that is back at home waiting for me or the hectic high speed life as a Soldier. Either way, welcome and I hope you enjoy your stay."

Captain's Quarters - Conservative, political, news-related blog.

Airborne Combat Engineer - Again, from the blogger's own words - "ultra-right-wing hyper-patriot" & part of the "right wing attack machine" (and veteran). All sorts of info here; a great list of links from both sides of the political venue and all sorts of other areas.

Received from Cpl. Seamus at http://www.gunghosauce.com, via his email forwarding service, All Hands:

Iraqis Thank America

This is a Haider Ajina two-fer. He also sent us these poll results that appeared today in the Iraqi newspaper Almidhar. The results are based on a survey of 778 Baghdad residents:

Do you support the pull out of foreign troops?
At once = 12.56%
According to a future timetable= 81.80%
Do not know = 5.64%

Has the security situation improved since the start of the new government?

Yes = 55%
No = 35%
No change = 10%


Those results are pretty much self-explanatory. Haider adds these comments:

Most of us read, heard and saw the media's report of the April 9th demonstrations in Baghdad. Most of the U.S. media portrayed it as a massive anti American demonstration in the streets of Iraq. I noticed, however, from Iraqi Arabic newspapers that most the demonstrations were against terrorism & calling for Saddam’s trial & hanging (all these signs were in Arabic). I called my father in Baghdad to confirm this and he confirmed it. My father then confirmed that Al-Sadr had asked his followers to demonstrate for the withdrawal of foreign troops, he also said that this group was very small and almost insignificant compared to the rest who were calling for Saddam’s trial & hanging and those against terrorism. My father said the Iraqi media reported the number like this “about 200000 demonstrators of which 8000-10000 were Al-Sadr & Sunni supporters” (strange bed fellows). He also said that when he listened to the Iraqi elected officials (on live T.V.) in the assembly, that every one (including those Sunnis initially opposed to the elections), every man and woman assembly member, reiterated the importance of foreign and specifically U.S. troops staying in Iraq till Iraq is ready to take over its own security. Most of them expressed their thanks for the troops being there and freeing Iraqis from Saddam. This I did not read, hear or see in any U.S. mainstream media outlet. These are the people Iraq elected, asking us to stay and thanking us. The poll shows only 12% want us to leave at once. This makes a complete mockery of the mainstream media coverage of the demonstrations.

ABOARD THE GONZALEZ — A U.S. Navy sailor, assigned air department duties aboard the guided missile destroyer USS Gonzalez, moves to a safe location after chocking the wheels of an MH-60S Seahawk helicopter aboard the ship while underway in the Atlantic Ocean, April 4, 2005. Gonzalez is assigned to the USS Kearsarge Expeditionary Strike Group. The group is on a regularly scheduled deployment in support of the war on terror. U.S. Navy photo by Airman Christopher J. Newsome

Attn. Milbloggers,

As some of you are aware, The One Soldier's Story Project is accepting non-fiction literary submissions from soldiers and veterans with post-9/11 service. All information about the Project is on http://www.onesoldiersstory.com/, with updates made to its associated Milblog, http://onesoldiersblog.blogspot.com. Those authors whose submissions are eventually accepted will be paid up to $1K upon publication.

This email is NOT a fundraising appeal. The OSS Project does not need money, does not want money, will not take money. All we want are non-fiction personal accounts written by current servicemembers and post-9/11 veterans. That's it. That's all.

As Milbloggers, you have both the capacity to write for publication, and an outlet to encourage others to do the same. As you all know, most of our fellow veterans do not have the interest, patience or resources to keep up with writing their own daily Milblog, but many still seek a creative outlet.

First, this email is an open call for any Milblogger interested in submitting something to The Project to send it in. Though The OSS Project is directed at Army soldiers and veterans, submissions from servicemembers of any branch will be considered. While an Air Force, Navy or Marine vet's submission might face an uphill climb to acceptance, there is certainly no downside. Check out the site, http://www.onesoldiersstory.com/ and see if it's something you would find worthwhile.

However, many Milbloggers have their own blog as their first and foremost creative outlet. They already spend enough time, and get enough reward, from the writing they already do there. They would have no interest in submitting an account elsewhere for someone else to judge. That's totally understandable.

So, second, this email is a request for any form of publicity you feel comfortable giving The OSS Project. While paid advertising is great, word of mouth is maybe more important. We all know that if one of our peers thinks something is a good idea, it might be something we would then take the time to investigate. There is no hiding the fact that Milbloggers are gaining credibility and readers every day, and a gentle push from a credible source is all some would-be writers will need. So, for those Milbloggers not interested in submitting themselves, they can still use their site to help a fellow vet get their start.

Again, this is not a request for money. At no point in the story selection process will we take money from anybody for anything. Free publicity to generate submissions, however? That, we will accept with gratitude

Please refer to http://www.onesoldiersstory.com/ for all information about The Project, and also feel free to contact us with any specific questions you need answered, prior to mentioning The Project on your site (or even in general conversation). We hope to hear from some of you down the road!

All best,
The OSS Project

JuneauEmpire.com: Associated Press
Spain opens major trial of 9/11 suspects
Japan PM apologizes for WWII aggression
Bush likely to get confirmation on Bolton
6 U.S. bodyguards killed in chopper crash
Military jury convicts sergeant of murder


The US News: Iraq News
Six American Bodyguards Die as Copter Shot Down in Iraq; Video Purports to Show Killing
Yahoo! Provides Family With E-Mail Account of Marine Killed in Iraq
Australian PM confident Australian troops in Iraq 'well-equipped' >
Sergeant convicted of killing comrades
Senate OKs $81 billion for Iraq war effort
Fresh bloodshed rocks Iraq as rebels set sights on Allawi
Iraqi rebel group claims responsibility for security guard shootings >
Soccer Pitch Tells Bloody Tale of Iraq Crisis
U.S. and EU plan talks on efforts in Iraq
Saudi democratic experiment ends on a flat note
Insurgents Claim Chopper Execution
Army hits back in verbal war over new troop carrier in Iraq


Yahoo! News: War with Iraq
US commanders confident despite upsurge in Iraq violence: Pentagon


Fox News
Lebanon Chiefs Step Aside
Moussaoui to Plead Guilty
Case Against Moussaoui
Spain Terror Trials Begin
China: Don't Take N. Korea to Security Council
Official: Israel Will Delay Gaza Strip Withdrawal
Japanese PM Expresses Remorse for WWII
Negroponte Sworn In as DNI
Chopper Murder Claim
Iraq Bill Passes Senate
Iraq Considers Intel Operatives
Akbar Convicted of Murder


Department of Defense
Attack Uptick Doesn't Undermine Progress — Story
Pace Speaks on Leadership, Terror War — Story
3rd Corps Chief Salutes Troops' Iraq Duty — Story

ON THE GROUND
U.S. to Begin Georgian Training Program — Story
Australians Teach Logistics to Iraqi Army — Story
Australian Commands Maritime Operations
Australia Deploys More Troops to Iraq
Thousands Show Up to Join Iraqi Police Force — Story
Army Cavalry Regiment Returns to Iraq — Story

IN IRAQ
Leaders Focus on Transition, Training
Runners Compete in Iraq/Boston Marathon - Photos
Shot in Back, Troop Owes Life to Ballistic Plate

IN AFGHANISTAN
Reservists Keep Communications Connected
Soldiers Use Many Tools in Clearing Mines

IN UZBEKISTAN
Troops Donate Goods to Uzbek Baby Orphanage
Humanitarian Efforts Benefit Uzbeks, Troops

FACE OF DEFENSE
Brothers Replace One Another on Deployment — Story

Organization Founder Stays Active — Story
American Legion Plans Salute — Story
Californians Honor Fallen, Families
Marine Joins Magazine’s Guest List

TOP NEWS
SPECIAL REPORTS
Medal of Honor
Two Years in Iraq
'Gitmo' Detainee Camp

IN IRAQ
Leaders Work to Improve Sadr City
U.S. Troops Thwart IED Attack
Iraq Daily Update
Iraq Reconstruction
Maps
Weekly Progress Report (pdf)

IN AFGHANISTAN
Coalition, Insurgents Clash
Officer Assigned Liaison Duties
Afghans, Coalition Hold Conference
Afghanistan Daily Update
Maps
Afghan Reconstruction Group Recruiting

WAR ON TERRORISM
Linguist Program Produces Results
Language Latest Weapon in Arsenal
Waging and Winning the War on Terror
Terrorism Timeline
Terrorism Knowledge Base

MILITARY NEWS
Program Eases Homecoming Stress
'Deep Strike' Trains for Deployment
Wounded Vets Generate Legislation
Guard Leaders Discuss Budget
Center to Provide 'Safety Net'
National Guard, Reserve Update