A recent editorial cartoon about Haditha by Steven Benson...number 5 in the "See Previous Benson cartoons" slideshow on this page (as of this posting)...

...is reprehensible.

I'm not putting it on this site. Probably don't need to anyway. You'll know it when you see it.

But make sure you go and see it. And then, make sure to let the folks at the Arizona Republic know how you feel about it.

Yes, we have freedom of expression. But that also comes with the responsibility of being accountable for how it is excercised - and sometimes that means hearing that you've crossed a line.

According to the Arizona Republic, they've already gotten more than 160 letters. Keep them coming.

Oh, and if you want to go straight to the source, you can email Benson.

Simply disgusting.

As you no doubt found out, we were down yesterday - issues with our server that were beyond my limited technical know-how to fix. But we're up and running again, so welcome back!

A BIG Thank You to Jen, who got us motoring along again!!!

And now that we're back to normal - Don't miss Natalia's second post, below!

Commandant of the Marine Corps, General Michael W. Hagee arrives at Hurricane Point, Ramadi May 30, to present 10 Marines of 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment with Purple Hearts an also to discussed current events happening around the Corps. 3/8 is currently deployed with I MEF (FWD) in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in the Al Anbar province of Iraq (MNF-W) to develop the Iraqi Security Forces, facilitate the development of official rule of law through demographic government reforms, and continue the development of a market based economy centered on Iraqi reconstructionPhoto submitted 06/11/2006 Taken by Cpl. Joseph DiGirolamo

Maxwell arrived to South Carolina to star the paperwork process, he called me two to three times a day, he sounded so sad every time, he was angry and afraid. I had to play it off and pretend to be ok, had to be the strong one even though I would break down crying after each phone call.

I used to tell myself, "things happen for a reason" but I used to question the reason. I had to smile in front of the kids, I felt helpless and I used to look forward to going to work every morning like never before. I was working for hospice, and having all those wonderful patients and their families was one of the things that kept me going but everytime I lost one it was a step back, all those little ladies in the dying process thought me so many lessons about life and made me a better person.

After two weeks, Maxwell had to go to Missouri for some more for a quick refreshment about his job, had been 3 years of his active duty discharge.

Two more weeks went by and he arrived in New Jersey for combat training, which finished 5 days before being deployed so I was lucky to have him for those days, since he had a last minute leave, I couldn't request them off work, plus finding a same day flight was hard and so expensive to the point he told me "forget about it, I don't want you to spend our savings." I couldn't miss the chance we had been given of being together one more time, so I got him the plane tickets.

We spent 3 evenings together, 2 days were gone traveling and the mornings working.
Before I knew it, I was back at the airport, once again we hugged and kissed until his name was called and of course, another sad and lonely drive home.

Next day was the big day: Maxwell was on his way to Iraq...........................

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Need to catch up?
Deployment, Part I

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Additional NOTES from Pam:
* Certain details will be edited to protect security concerns or family privacy. My edits appear in brackets [ ].

* Maxwell's status as the blog's "adopted" Hero, and Natalia's posts about her experiences, should NOT be construed as their endorsement of any opinion I post on this blog, or representative of any policy or position of the U.S. Army, the Department of Defense, or any other government entity. This is merely a way to allow readers to learn more about what military families experience, and to offer an opportunity to support a deployed Hero and his family.

* To learn what you can do to help, click on Maxwell's picture over on the left, or go here.
To adopt "your own" Hero, visit Soldiers' Angels.

Local Salty Nation exercise Senior Airmen Kristi Morrell and Erika Rascon provide security during exercise Local Salty Nation at Aviano Air Base, Italy, on Wednesday, June 7, 2006. The Airmen are with the 31st Security Forces Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Randy Mallard)

Patti put out the word last week that Project VALOUR-IT is backed up 11 laptops. That's 11 wounded heroes who need our help - right now.

Project VALOUR-IT provides laptops with voice-activated software to wounded Heroes who cannot use a conventional laptop. Nearly 500 have been provided so far. But right now, Heroes are waiting for this much-needed technology. Heroes like these:

An Army SGT injured last month by a VBIED, with shrapnel damage to his legs and right hand;

An Army SGT injured in February, with multiple gunshot wounds through his right leg, ribs/lungs, forearm and shoulder;

An Army CPT injured last year who has received three Purple Hearts in three years, and is being medically retired - he needs the computer for college study;

A recently-injured Army SGT (cavalry scout) who experienced several IED explosions. Here's what he had to say: "I want to obtain a laptop so I can take online courses, and start college when I separate from the army. Thank you."

And of course, Project VALOUR-IT was inspired - and co-created - by a milblogger and Hero who became the project's first laptop recipient after being injured in Iraq - Chuck Ziegenfuss. VALOUR-IT is done in memory of Chuck's father, SFC William V. Ziegenfuss.

The impact of VALOUR-IT is so much more than just a computer. It's communication with loved ones. It's independence. Want to know how much it means?

A quadriplegic soldier's story

Two Marines (update on one of them here)

A triple amputee's morale

Patient education

VALOUR-IT can now reach wounded heroes recovering at home or in VA hospitals, as well as in places like Balboa Naval Hospital, Brooke Army Medical Center, Madigan Regional Medical Center, National Naval Medical Center (Bethesda Naval Hospital),
Naval Hospital - Camp Pendleton, Robert E. Bush Naval Hospital (29 Palms), and Walter Reed Army Medical Center

The laptops and software are being provided at a discount - but it takes $660 to buy just one. That's where you come in. To meet the immediate need, VALOUR-IT needs to raise $7,000 - minimum. Every little bit helps, and donating is easy - just click the button below.




And companies, churches, Boy Scout troops and other groups can now directly help a wounded Hero in need of this vital technology! Groups (or individuals) are now able to directly sponsor a wounded soldier "by completely funding the cost of a laptop and continuing to provide him or her with personal support and encouragement throughout recovery."

If you've been looking for a way to help our Heroes, please consider this one. Help Project VALOUR-IT provide our Heroes with this much-needed equipment.

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For more information, visit the Project VALOUR-IT blog, or Soldiers' Angels.

CADENCE — Sgt. Anthony A. Hodge, field radio operator, Command Element, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), calls cadence during the Command Element's six-mile hike in Camp Buehring, Kuwait, June 10, 2006. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Ruben D. Calderon

News of Note
Bye-Bye Zarqawi
Military says bomb killed al-Zarqawi
Al Qaeda in Iraq Names New Leader
Bush says Iraq's new al Qaeda chief in US sights - Video

Operation Iraqi Freedom
Bush to Discuss Iraqi Progress With Al-Maliki
Bush: Future of Iraq depends on Iraqis
Dual Car Bombs Kill 15 in Iraq
Six bombs kill at least 14 in Iraq's Kirkuk - Video
Judge hurries Saddam's defense proceedings

Operation Enduring Freedom
Britain in Afghanistan for the long haul: Browne
US army truck kills one Afghan in road accident Video

Homeland Security / War on Terror
Qaeda names man due to have been Sept 11 attacker - Video
Israeli Military Blames Hamas Bombs for Gaza Beach Blast
Israeli missile kills nine Palestinians in Gaza - Video
Fatah Gunmen Go on Anti-Hamas Rampage

Immigration / Border Control
Troops Reducing Illegal Border Crossings

NSA / CIA
Fox News is now reporting that Karl Rove wil not be charged in the CIA Leak case

Homegrown Moonbats
Gore to train 1,000 to spread word about climate - Video

Politics / Government
Democrats slam Republicans over Iraq resolution
Liberals see opportunity in Bush's slide

In the Courts
'In God We Trust' Suit Nixed

Hurricane Season
Evacuation of 20,000 ordered
Track Tropical Storm Alberto
Feds Stockpile Supplies as Alberto Approaches
Video: Is FEMA Prepared for Alberto?
Video: Cedar Key, Fla., Braces for Storm
Photo Essay: Alberto Approaches Florida

Oddities
Bulky man barely injured as car rolls over him
Highway joyride lands Australian boys in trouble

Other News of Note
Fear of leftist has Mexican middle class on edge

Fox News
Roethlisberger Breaks Jaw, Nose in Bike Crash (Helmet and protective gear - Good. Road Rash and broken jaw - Bad)
Oldest Japanese Man Dies
Video: Suspect Named in Reno Courthouse Shooting
Stocks to Watch: Best Buy
Google Updates Map Tools
Czechs Beat U.S. in World Cup
FULL WORLD CUP COVERAGE

Reuters: Top News
FBI reports biggest violent crime jump in 15 years
US governors adopt energy plans for the West
Study questions if drugs raise suicide risk
Yahoo, world's most popular e-mail, hit by worm
TI chip-making process to double output per wafer
Small towns are bright spots for US newspapers
Coffee may cut alcohol liver damage
Study questions if drugs raise suicide risk
Cats to compete in reality TV show in New York
Gay singer Aviance leaves NY hospital after beating
Fed officials stay focused on inflation battle
Personal bankruptcy cases rise despite reforms
Jabil Circuit cuts third-quarter profit forecast
Jewelers Signet and Zale end merger talks
Bayer may up Schering bid as Merck KGaA buys more
UK set to keep phone directory price controls
LG.Philips LCD sinks after slashing Q2 forecasts
Wall Street seen easier, eyeing inflation data - Video
Carreker shares rise
Nasdaq to buy PrimeZone - Video
NPS shares fall
Global markets plummet
Nikkei posts biggest one-day loss in two years
Key quotes from the Reuters Investment Summit

AP World News
Study: Polar bears may turn to cannibalism
It's a boy for actor Jack Black and wife
Steelers QB's condition serious but stable
Leno to host Carlin, Coulter on Wednesday
Justices OK challenges to lethal injection
Bernanke says banking plan aids stability
Hurricanes win, on cusp of Stanley Cup
Brown no longer consumed by hate for O.J.
'Super Size Me' filmmaker sizes up jail
Leno, Rice top celebrity dinner survey

Military.com
Data Loss to be Reported on Pay Statements
Female Soldier Refuses to Deploy (Moonbat poster child #2)
Army Mulls Cutting a Division, FCS

CENTCOM: News Releases
COALITION VEHICLE INVOLVED IN ACCIDENT

GOVERNMENT OF IRAQ, MNF-I RELEASE MORE THAN 220 DETAINEES

KOREAN CLINIC TO CELEBRATE 200,000 PATIENT MILESTONE

COALITION FORCES KILL SEVEN TERRORISTS, WOUND THREE, DETAIN TWO

WARDAK SUPPORTS ANA, ANP IN TARIN KOWT

FRENCH ASSETS SUPPORT OPERATING ENDURING FREEDOM

AFGHAN CITIZENS TURN IN IEDS, WEAPONS CACHES

CJTF-76 AND 10TH MOUNTAIN TO CELEBRATE U.S. ARMY BIRTHDAY

HERAT RTC TRAINS STUDENTS TO SERVE, SECURE AFGHANISTAN

GENERAL EIKENBERRY SPEAKS TO AFGHAN CADETS

TERRORIST CAPTURED IN KIRKUK

Department of Defense
Bush Summit Focuses on Iraq Strategy - Story
Autopsies Show Injuries Killed Zarqawi - Story - Autopsy Brief - Video - Zarqawi's Death
Defense Officials Identify Detainee Suicides - Story

ON THE GROUND
U.S. General Speaks to Afghan Cadets - Story
French Military Starts Second Phase of Ops - Story
Operation ‘Cool Carpet’ Bridges Relationships - Story
Montana Reservists Man Ammo Supply Point - Story
Iraqi Army Runs Successful Firing Range - Story

IN IRAQ
Soldiers Respond When Leader Struck Down
Coalition Passes the Baton to Iraqi Forces
Iraqi Soldiers Stockpile Medical Logistics Skills

IN AFGHANISTAN
Zabul Province Children Return to Classroom
Afghans Receive Medical, Humanitarian Care

FACE OF DEFENSE
Artillery Sergeant Takes Aim at Education - Story

AMERICA SUPPORTS YOU
Wounded Troops Cruise Potomac - Story
Volunteers Adorn Cereal Box

TOP NEWS
IRAQ
Coalition Works to Disrupt Terror
Bush: Zarqawi’s Death a Triumph
Zarqawi Died After Air Strike
Forces Destroy Terrorists’ Truck
Victory Depends on Government
Forces Kill Top Terrorist
Police Reopen Station in Mosul
Work to Restore Marshes Continues
Renewal In Iraq
Iraq: Security, Stability
Fact Sheet: Progress and Work Ahead
Report: Strategy for Victory in Iraq
Iraq Daily Update
This Week in Iraq (PDF)
Multinational Force Iraq
State Dept. Weekly Iraq Report (PDF)
'Boots on the Ground' Audio Archive
Iraq Reconstruction
Maps

AFGHANISTAN
Citizens Report Weapons, Bombs
Taliban Burns Afghan School
Afghan Police Foil Attack
Afghans Graduate From U.S. School
NATO Pledges Support to Mission
Tripartite Commission Meets
Afghanistan Update
Maps

WAR ON TERRORISM
Detainees Die of Apparent Suicide
Two Soldiers Killed, One Wounded
Memorial Construction to Start
VBSS Teams Train on USS Simpson
USS Cole, Bulkeley Deploy
Missiles Will Aid in Terror War
Fact Sheet: Budget Request
Fact Sheet: War on Terror
Fact Sheet: Terror Plots Disrupted
Waging and Winning the War on Terror
Terrorism Timeline
Terrorism Knowledge Base

CASUALTIES
Officials Identify Casualties - Story

Weather
Iraq
Al Azamiyah Al Basrah Al Hillah Al Karkh Al Kazimiyah Al KutAn Nasiriyah Baghdad Baqubah Mosul Najaf Nineveh Tall Kayf

Afghanistan
Bost/Laskar Ghurian Herat Kabul Qandahar

Gitmo

Today in History
1774 - Rhode Island becomes the first colony to prohibit the importation of slaves.
1777 - Marquis de Lafayette lands in the U.S.
1866 - The 14th Amendment passes the House (due process).
1888 - The Department of Labor is created.
1927 - NYC welcomes Charles Lindbergh with a ticker-tape parade.
1940 - Paris evacuates ahead of the German advance.
1942 - The first V-2 rocket launched (Germany) reaches 1.3 kilometers.
1944 - Nazi Germany begins V-1 (Fieseler Fi-103) buzz-bomb attacks.
1966 - The Supreme Court rules that a suspect must be informed of his / her rights (Miranda decision).
1967 - Thurgood Marshall is nominated as the first black Supreme Court justice.
1980 - Representative John Jenrette Jr. (SC) is indicted in the "Abscam" investigation.
1981 - A teenager fires six blanks at Queen Elizabeth II.
1982 - Fahd becomes king of Saudi Arabia following the death of King Khalid.
1983 - Pioneer 10 becomes the first man-made object to leave the Solar System.

Birthdays
40 - Gnaeus Julius Agricola Roman general; conquered Wales, No. England
823 - Charles II (the Bald) king of France (843-77), emperor (875-77)
1786 - Winfield Scott American army general/presidential candidate
1911 - Luis W Alvarez physicist (Nobel-1968)
1945 - Ronald J Grabe NYC, Col USAF/astronaut (STS 51-J, STS 30, STS 42)

Passings
323 -BC- Alexander the Great dies of fever at Babylon
1886 - King Ludwig II of Bavaria drowns
1977 - Tom C Clark former Supreme Court Justice, dies in NY at 77

Reported Missing in Action
1966
Burkart, Charles W., USAF (NY); B57 disappeared in bad weather

Gierak, George G., Jr., USN (NY); RA3B shot down, KIA, body not recovered

Glantville, John T., Jr., USN (NJ); RA3B shot down, KIA, body not recovered

Kerr, Everett O., USAF (MA); B57 disappeared in bad weather

Lurie, Alan P., USAF (OH); F4C shot down, released by DRV February, 1973 - alive as of 1998

Lambton, Bennie R., USN (IN); RA3B shot down, KIA, body not recovered

Pyle, Darrel E., USAF (CA); F4C shot down, released by DRV February, 1973 - killed in plane crash in AK, 1974

1968
Carter, James D., US Army (MI); UH1D collided with USAF O2, remains returned 1993, ID'd September, 1995

1969
Story, James C., US Army (IL); convoy ambushed, KIA, body not recovered

Ward, Neal, USAF (TX); A1H crashed

1972
Fulton, Richard J., USAF (AZ); F4E shot down, released by DRV March, 1973

Hanson, Gregg O., USAF (IL); F4E shot down, released by DRV March, 1973 - alive as of 1998