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Thursday, July 13, 2006

Where Were Your Last Two Postcards From?

These are mine:


from George...




from Don



Pretty neat, eh?

The Merry Moonbat Revisited

It never ceases to mystify me what posts I get Moonbat comments on. Most of nasty comments I get are in the most innocuous posts… Pictures of heroes are a frequent choice. Last night, I got this:

Wow look what I just read somewhere!

"The U.S. has lost the war in Iraq. If the measure of success is that Iraq is no longer a threat to the U.S, which I believe was the original reason for the war in the first place, then the war in Iraq is lost. If you could imagine a young Iraqi from Fallujah, who has lost his parents, coming to the U.S. in 5 years and blowing himself up in a terrorist attack, then Iraq is more of a threat now then it ever was before the war. The only way to win the war now, is to significantly increase troop levels and to spend a lot more in dollars and lives to pacify the country. There is no political will by either Republicans or Democrats to do this. The war is lost and is a miserable failure. Get out and move on.

The tragedy is that the world will be dealing with the ramifications of this loss for years, and certainly long after this administration is dead and buried. Great legacy Bush! Score one for Osama, as it couldn't have played out any better for him."

Game over.


I guess it all works out, though, ‘cause between that and the “rolling” Moonbat fast, I’ve once again been inspired:

The Merry Moonbat, Episode II
I met again my Moonbat friend while headed to the store
He spotted me and made a face as I approached the door.
“Ho, Moonie-bat,” I called to him, “how are you this fine day?”
“I’m fasting,” he told me with pride, “I skipped my lunch today.”

“Ah,” I nodded, smiled, and said, “That Troops Home Fast’, I guess.”
The Moonie-bat then raised his chin, nodded, and said, “Yes.”
“Well good for you,” said I, in jest, “I really must admire
Those who’ll bravely ‘sacrifice’ to harm those under fire.”

“Bravo, Moonbat – you’re doing well – you’re letting all folks know
How silly all your protests are, and just how far you’ll go.
You’re showing them exactly how committed to your cause
You Moonbats are – you’ll even take a gastronomic pause!”

The Moonbat frowned – he didn’t like my ‘compliment,’ it seemed,
And then with renewed vigor, he veritably beamed,
“You know your game is over, you warmongering buffoon,
I read it, somewhere - you must know your warring ways are doomed.

“Iraq’s a pure disaster, and you know it, brutish friend,
Halliburton’s headed out, and civil war’s at hand
Nothing’s been accomplished, and now there’s Israel,
You realize it’s all Bushie’s fault – and you can’t help but fail.

“Iraq’s a bigger threat to us than any time before,
All because of Bushie and his ill-justified war
Now Iraqis have a cause to come and hit us here
All because you warmongers spread violence and fear.

“So if your cause was getting rid of an impending threat
You’ve clearly failed, because it’s growing even stronger yet.
The only way to win it now is more troops and more cash.
Maybe Bush could have himself some rich warmonger bash.”

“Don’t you think Bin Laden’s celebrating at our loss?
Don’t you think he’s glad we’ve paid a monumental cost?
To help a country that we know was doing great before
Saddam was nice compared to what they’ve gotten with this war.”

“You know,” I said, “you Moonbats really need a newer tune.
For centuries, you’ve sung the same anthem to gloom and doom
Two hundred thirty years ago, we shouldn’t leave the King
Sixty years ago it was a ‘European thing.’

Forty years ago it was a quagmire, you folks claimed
And now you all are playing the same tired, coward’s game
You all say, at each new point, you just don’t like THIS war
But you’ve all said it just that way a hundred times before.

You all claim to care about the weakest of the world
But don’t you think they benefit when freedom is unfurled?
Don’t you think that when a country stands for liberty
It has an obligation, a responsibility

To stand strong and defend it, whome’er the foe may be
By standing up for freedom there, it’s saved for you and me
Don’t you think that it is good to take out terrorists?
Dictators and lunatics and crazy egotists?

And how do we negotiate with those that mean us harm?
How do we lie down with those who kill, and maim, and bomb?
How do we just stand and watch a maniac build stocks
Of weapons that would devastate scores of our city blocks?

If we say we’re representing freedom, life, and hope
How can we abandon those who clearly cannot hope
To rise above the cruelty, strife, and famine they endure
From some demented nutcase, when there’s only one real cure.

The enemy has no restraint when seeing its cause through
And yet at home, we’re faced with weak-kneed Moonie-bats like you
Who gladly embrace cut and run, and say that we should go
But you lamented leaving in that Gulf War I, you know.

Bush I listened, to that Moonbat-touted, ‘get out’ talk
All that “Leave Iraq” -- he did – we had our Heroes walk
We left that one, and back we are, to finish up the task
And then you all quick-changed your tune “Why did we leave?” you asked

Of course, now, you’re all yelling that we just should up and quit
That’s always what you Moonbats say, your nerves aren’t worth my spit
“It’s ‘Bush lied, they died’ if we fight; it’s ‘Should have’ if we don’t
It’s interference if we’ll act; it’s blindness if we won’t.

We’re winning this war, Moonie-bat – there’s no doubt in my mind.
The enemy that worries me’s a slightly different kind
I know that we’ll win out over Bin Laden and his kin
The one that really worries me’s the enemy within.

Progressives (re-tooled Socialists) and far-left Democrats
Are doing damage far worse than Bin Laden’s slimy rats
Altruism doesn’t work – it only hurts the strong
And any land that made it policy would fall ere long

Hiding ostrich heads in sand will only have one end
It only means that you won’t see attacks that they will send.
Cut-and-run has never led to peace or dignity
I don’t know why one would choose a road so cowardly.

In the end, you Moonie-bats are weak-kneed hypocrites
You whine, and gripe, and criticize, and have your temper fits
You hide behind that flag you burn, and say your cause is true
Well, truth is, we'd be better off – sans Moonie-bats like you."

My Moonbat friend was speechless, then he sadly shook his head.
“You still won’t learn. You still don’t get it – pity,” he then said.
And so again, we parted ways, more opposites than kin,
For winners never quit, you see – and quitters never win.



Pam, 2006

Why We Call Them Heroes - SGT Zepeda

Many of you first met SGT Gil Zepeda through this post about his efforts to provide much-needed shoes to children in Iraq.

The SGT is home now, but has by no means taken a break from being a Hero. He is now working to raise funds through Avon's Walk for Breast Cancer:

WHY?!?!...Because I Can!!!
Today is July 05, 2006 and I've taken on a challenge to raise $$ for the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. On the 16th and 17th of September, I will participate in a 40 mile walk over the course of 2 days but I need your help and that of many many more. I am to raise a min. of $1,800.00. However, the personal goal I've set is for $50,000.00. How can this be achieved. I ask that you read my personal message and goal plan. Together, just like Soles 4 Souls, you can help me help others by achieving this goal.


There are two ways to donate:
1st: You can donate online when logging on to my personal webpage.

2nd: I can forward to you a donation slip along with an envelope that you simply fill out and mail in. With the help of many, Soles 4 Souls was a huge success. Help me to do the same with a contribution ($5.oo, the cost of a Starbucks coffee, the cost of a Fast Food Lunch) towards my goal. I Thank You and appreciate all you have done and continue to do in supporting me and believing in my Visions, Goals and Dreams

Click here to visit my personal page.

If the text above does not appear as a clickable link, you can visit the web address:

http://info.avonfoundation.org/site/TR?px=2682469&pg=personal&fr_id=1220&s_tafId=160252

******************************************

I put my donation in this morning. It's quick and easy - you can even give yours in memory or honor of someone you love. Please help Gil raise the $50,000 he's set as a goal - donate, forward information, link or trackback - whatever you are able to do.

Thank you.

Breaking News...

U.S. Crew Survives Copter Crash in Iraq

BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) -- A U.S. Army Apache attack helicopter crashed Thursday during a combat patrol southwest of Baghdad, but both pilots survived, the U.S. military said.
The statement did not say what caused the crash nor give a precise location.

However, an Iraqi army official in the area said the helicopter was shot down in the village of Grakoul, located near the town of Youssifiyah about eight miles southwest of Baghdad. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he is not authorized to speak to media...


Read the Rest

Marine's 40th Year of Service Honored in Iraq

Chief Warrant Officer 4 Wayne H. Silva cuts into the cake prepared for his 40th anniversary with the Marine Corps at the Morale, Welfare and Recreation building at Al Asad, Iraq, July 8. Silva is a Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear defense officer with Task Force Military Police, 1st Battalion, 14th Marine Regiment, who stepped on the yellow footprints June 28, 1966. He has been a part of almost every major campaign that the Marine Corps has had in the past four decades, and attributes the cake cutting ceremony as showing the importance of an event in history. He is a 57-year-old native of Martinez, Calif




July 12, 2006

By Lance Cpl. James B. Hoke, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing

AL ASAD, Iraq (July 12, 2006) -- From navigating the jungles of Vietnam to surviving the deserts of Iraq, one warrior has been a part of almost every major campaign that the Marine Corps has had in the past four decades.

Marines with Task Force Military Police, 1st Battalion, 14th Marine Regiment, honored Chief Warrant Officer 4 Wayne H. Silva for his 40th anniversary in the Marine Corps while in Al Asad July 8.

"June 28, 1966, was the day that I stepped onto the yellow footprints," stated Silva, Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear defense officer, Task Force Military Police. "I've been serving for 30 years, but I really had a 10 year break in July of '69 thru July of '79."

During the past month, Silva's fellow Marines had secretly been planning the ceremony under his nose. From getting the Wings of Freedom Dining Facility to bake an enormous cake, to reserving a room for a few hours at the Morale, Welfare and Recreation building, they managed to set up the entire ceremony without letting him discover their plans, which was fairly easy to do given that Silva worked night shifts.

"When I stepped in that door, it was a total surprise," said Silva, a 57-year-old native of Martinez, Calif. "I was being very serious about this, as I thought I was about to get yelled at. I really did think someone was getting ready to chew my butt. Why else would they get you up in the middle of your sleeping hours?"

However, the actual person to originally begin setting up the ceremony was more than 7,000 miles away, according to Master Sgt. Brian J. Kemp, battalion operations chief, 1st Bn., 14th Marines.

"His wife was talking to my wife and brought it up to the (executive officer) and the sergeant major," said Kemp, a 40-year-old Glen Ellen, Calif., native. "They then brought it up with the MWR, who were all over it. I would say that within a day everyone was involved, and it blew up to what it is now."

The ceremony, being somewhat informal, began when the chief warrant officer stepped into the room to hear a loud, "Semper Fi!" screamed by the group of Marines waiting in surprise.

After walking around the room and shaking everyone's hands, Silva began the cake cutting portion of the ceremony.

"It really did bring back memories," said Silva, a graduate of Saint Mary's College. "Cake cutting is the importance of an event in our history. This cake, in particular, had a large eagle, globe and anchor on it, which gave it some real importance."

Once everyone had had their fair share of cake, several Marines stopped to talk to the old-time war veteran.

"I actually expected him to be retired by now, as he was in Vietnam," said Kemp, a Sonoma High School graduate. "When I first met him in 1984 as a (private first class), he was already a newly commissioned warrant officer. He was one of the first Marines outside of boot camp that I met. I'm now at 22 years in the Corps, and it's great to finish it off with him. We've kept bumping into each other over the years.

"Even though I was born in 1966, I don't feel so old as long as he is around," Kemp added. "He's definitely one of the most unique Marines I've known. He's dedicated to the Marines, and he has a passion for the Corps."

He is far and beyond one of the best Marines the battalion has, according to Cpl. Taletha L. Evans, CBRN noncommissioned officer-in-charge, Task Force Military Police.

"He is one of the best Marine officers I've ever worked for," said Evans, a 21-year-old native of Mountain Grove, Mo. "He has more knowledge than anyone here. He knows how to get things done, and he's very diplomatic in the way he does things. He's a great role model, as I can only hope that one day I have that much knowledge and rapport."

When asked about his service to the Marine Corps, Silva only had a few words to describe it.

"It has been a long ride," Silva concluded. "It has been fraught with difficulties. However, it's a ride that I'd do again. As you know the Marine Corps is different, and it is very demanding. That's why we wear the eagle, globe and anchor. That's why we chose this path."



Chief Warrant Officer 4 Wayne H. Silva (right) goes to give Lt. Col. Jim Wilmott a hug during his 40th anniversary with the Marine Corps ceremony at Al Asad, Iraq, July 8. Silva is the Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear defense officer with Task Force Military Police, 1st Battalion, 14th Marine Regiment, who stepped on the yellow footprints June 28, 1966. He is a 57-year-old native of Martinez, Calif. Photo by: Lance Cpl. James B. Hoke



Chief Warrant Officer 4 Wayne H. Silva gives a speech to fellow Marines when presented with a Hard Rock café baseball cap during his 40th anniversary with the Marine Corps ceremony at Al Asad, Iraq, July 8. Silva is a Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear defense officer with Task Force Military Police, 1st Battalion, 14th Marine Regiment, who stepped on the yellow footprints June 28, 1966. He is a 57-year-old native of Martinez, Calif. Photo by: Lance Cpl. James B. Hoke



A piece of cake is cut and dished out during Chief Warrant Officer 4 Wayne H. Silva's 40th anniversary with the Marine Corps at Al Asad, Iraq, July 8. Silva is a Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear defense officer with Task Force Military Police, 1st Battalion, 14th Marine Regiment, who stepped on the yellow footprints June 28, 1966. He has been a part of almost every major campaign that the Marine Corps has had in the past four decades, and attributes the cake cutting ceremony as showing the importance of an event in history. He is a 57-year-old native of Martinez, Calif. Photo by: Lance Cpl.

Simelulue Island, Republic of Indonesia (July 12, 2006) - The Governor of Simeulue Island, Buphati Dr. Darmili, gets his blood pressure taken by Navy Lt. Tara Collins during a tour aboard the U.S. Military Sealift Command (MSC) hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19), while the ship provides humanitarian and civic assistance to the people of Simeulue Island. The ship is in the third month of a scheduled five-month deployment to host nations in the Pacific Islands, South and Southeast Asia. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Mike Leporati

Soldier Makes Vow to Help Find Child's Killer


Staff Sgt. Donald White, patrol leader for Battery B, 3rd Battalion, 29th Field Artillery, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, talks with an Iraqi father whose daughter was killed by an insurgent mortar attack the previous day.
Pfc. Paul J. Harris Printer-friendly version



Soldier makes vow to Iraqi family

By Pfc. Paul J. Harris
BALAD, Iraq (Army News Service, July 12, 2006) When an Iraqi child was killed July 2 by an insurgent mortar attack in her family’s courtyard in Abu Hishma, Staff Sgt. Donald White made a promise to help find the killer.

White and his team were near the area when they heard the mortar impact and radioed the command post to see if it was counter-fire coming from nearby Logistical Support Area Anaconda.

“Upon arriving at the scene there was absolute chaos – Iraqis running to and from the explosion site. The driver of a white car was desperately trying to get out of the alleyway next to the house,” said White, patrol leader for Battery B, 3rd Battalion, 29th Field Artillery, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division.

Upon seeing the Soldiers a woman exited the car holding a small girl of 8 to 10 years old covered in blood. The girl had been cutting tomatoes when a mortar round hit a nearby water drum, which projected shrapnel into her chest.

Spc. John Sullivan, a medic attached to White’s unit, approached the family to offer care to the limp child.

“I went to check for a pulse, which I couldn’t feel,” Sullivan said. “As I was checking, I noticed holes in her chest where the shrapnel impacted. I knew she was dead.”

The family rushed to the Air Force hospital at LSA Anaconda, where medical staff confirmed the girl died as a result of her wounds.

White and his team stayed behind to investigate the site. They eventually found the mortar’s tailfin, which by its shape and size the Soldiers knew was an enemy round.



“Ours are silver and a lot longer,” White said. “Theirs (insurgent) are a blackish or greenish color and a lot shorter – that’s the way we can tell.”

White also noticed the primer on the tailfin had been dented, proving the round had been fired as opposed to placed or buried in the courtyard. White suspected the insurgents were aiming at the LSA and misfired, hitting the courtyard instead.

White and his patrol returned to the home the following day to offer the condolences, and make sure the family knew coalition forces hadn’t fired the round. If rumors spread that the Americans killed the girl, tensions in the area would increase, White said.

“I wanted to return to say ‘I am sorry, I hope to catch this guy who fired the mortar’,” White said. “Words mean so much to these people.”

“After talking with the girl’s father, I think he understood that we wanted to help. He even offered for us to sit down and have dinner with him,” White said.

(Editor’s note: Pfc. Paul J. Harris writes for the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Public Affairs Office.)



by Pfc. Paul J. Harris
July 12, 2006
An Iraqi girl stands in the same spot where an insurgent mortar attack killed an Iraqi girl around the same age one day before.
SMALL TALK — An Iraqi army soldier from 4th Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 5th Division talks with Iraqi children while Iraqi and U.S. Army soldiers conduct an operation in the village of Byaa, Iraq, July 10, 2006. The operation was conducted to seek out high-value individuals and weapon caches. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Jeremy L. Wood

In Today's News - Thursday, July 13, 2006

Quote of the Day
"The United States themselves are essentially the greatest poem."
--Walt Whitman

News of Note
Operation Iraqi Freedom
U.S. Army Says Saddam Back on Hunger Strike (wonder how many hours this one will last. Maybe he should try a "rolling" strike, like the Moonbats...requires a whole lot less effort)
Brits, Australians Transfer Provincial Security to Iraqis
Solution to Iraq Violence Will be Political
"Last chance" for peace in Iraq, PM says

Operation Enduring Freedom
Official: Afghan Army Needs to Get Five Times Larger
Coalition, Afghan Forces Kill 19

Homeland Security / War on Terror
Mideast Mayhem
Aircraft target Beirut Airport
Israel Enforces Sea and Air Blockade on Lebanon
Most-Wanted Hamas Leader Wounded
Tensions in Lebanon Test U.S. Diplomacy
US says Israel has right to defend itself
India Train Blasts Toll Hits 200
Video: Manhunt for Suspects
Police detain Mumbai suspects - Video

Troops on Trial
Instant Message Cited in Midshipman's Trial

Other Military News
New Vets Get Hiring Preference
Military Shoots Down Missile in Test
Joint High-Speed Vessel Taking Shape

Immigration / Border Control
Congressional Hearings Threaten Immigration Bill

NSA / CIA
Novak: No White House Effort to Discredit Wilson
Novak-Rove exchange lasted 20 seconds

Worldwide Wackos
China, Russia Offer Rival N. Korea Resolution
N. Korea has More Missiles
North Korea walks out of talks - Video (Is this a surprise to anyone?)
Iran defiant after case goes back to UN - Video
Japan seeks vote on N.Korea resolution

Politics / Government
Congress to Start Stem Cell Bill Debate
Bush calls Germany key ally - Video
Texas gov. candidate sues over nickname

Mother Nature
More Evacuated as Wildfire Rages in California

Oddities
Free Gas Leads to Arrests
It was a long and twisting sentence...
Few US workers who could telecommute do so: study
Jackson sued by ex-wife Rowe over payment
Sex offender credited on children's CD
Mom has quadruplets 3 years after triplets

Other News of Note
Video: Novak Interview, Pt. 1
Review of Big Dig Ordered After Deadly Collapse (Don't know why everyone's acting like this is a new problem - the Big Dig's been riddled with problems from the start!)
Probe into Big Dig death focuses on bolts

Fox News
Bush To Meet With Merkel Before G-8 Summit
Gas Consumption Strong Despite High Prices
Shuttle Astronauts Test Putty, Lose Spatula

Reuters: Top News
Russia reaches deal with US to join WTO: FinMin
Kennedy relative takes murder appeal to high court
Paralyzed man moves computer cursor through thought
Killer salinity rings Australia's desert heart
Microsoft says Vista launch unaffected by EU fine
EU slaps Microsoft with fine
Surviving New York Dolls return, hope for profit
Kate Hudson finds success fun, but hard earned
FDA approves first once-daily AIDS pill
Online sexual enhancement products risky: FDA
Photographer not to be charged over Jolie incident
"Simple Life" renewed, despite Hilton-Richie feud
PepsiCo Q2 profit rises
Aviva to pay $2.9 bln for AmerUs
Honda says N. American sales better than expected
Study shows risks and benefits from Lilly drug
Tribune posts lower second-quarter profit
EMI shares tumble after EU Sony/BMG court ruling
Stock futures fall, oil price hits record high
Nikkei slumps 1 pct on techs
Wall St seen down as Mideast unnerves, oil spikes
Israeli shekel, stocks tumble on Lebanon fighting
Rollover returns
Investing in retirement
Disappointing results? by Erik Dellith

AP World News
Oil prices hit new high of $75.89 a barrel
News Corp. launches online safety campaign
East finally wins WNBA All-Star game
Kevorkian says he wouldn't choose suicide
Roethlisberger told he was close to dying (Probably would have walked away with proper protective gear)
Spacecraft successfully inflates in orbit
LeBron, Wade, Carmelo ink new NBA deals
Zidane: Insults provoked head-butt attack
Driver: Patrick can succeed in NASCAR
Daughtry: 4th place on 'Idol' not so bad
'South Park' Scientology episode to re-air
Will Bonds be indicted for perjury?

Military.com
Army to Rebid Halliburton Contract
Bush's Cuba Agenda Draws Praise, Concern
Exiting Leader Calls on US to Secure Democracy

CENTCOM: News Releases
IRAQI FORCE RAID NETS TERRORIST CELL LEADER

MND-B SOLDIERS FIND LARGE WEAPONS CACHE NEAR MAHMUDIYAH

IRAQI ARMY, MND-B SOLDIERS SPOIL KIDNAP ATTEMPT, NAB CULPRITS

SECRETARY OF DEFENSE VISITS TROOPS IN IRAQ

MND-B IA, 'REGULARS' DESTROY THREE TERRORIST CAHES

Department of Defense
ON THE GROUND
Air Force Security Forces Complete Tour - Story
Combat Lifesaver Training Saves Lives in Iraq - Story
Jazz Club Offers Solace for Combat Marines - Story

IN IRAQ
Project Coordination Cell Opens in Multaka
Soldiers Make Streets Safer in Samarra
Workers Remove Litter from Iraqi Streets
Iraqi Army Takes Charge of Diyala Province
Iraqi Army to Control Logistics for Compound

IN AFGHANISTAN
Troops Coordinate Delivery of Supplies
Reconstruction Team Molds Afghan Police
Aircrews Drop Treats to Soldiers on Fourth

BACKGROUND
IRAQ
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
Weekly Reconstruction Report (PDF)
Iraq Reconstruction
Maps

AFGHANISTAN
Afghanistan Update
Maps

WAR ON TERRORISM
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 Announce Army Casualty - Story

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

Afghanistan
Bost/Laskar Ghurian Herat Kabul Qandahar

Gitmo

Today in History
1787 - Congress establishes the Northwest Territory, excluding slavery therein.
1854 - U.S. forces shell and burn San Juan del Norte, Nicaragua.
1865 - Horace Greeley advises readers to "Go west young man."; P.T. Barnum's museum burns down.
1868 - Oscar J. Dunn, a former slave, becomes Lt. Governor of Louisiana.
1878 - The Treaty of Berlin amends the terms of the Treaty of San Stefano.
1898 - Guglielmo Marconi patents the radio.
1908 - The fourth modern Olympic games open in London.
1934 - Babe Ruth hits his 700th home run, against Detroit.
1960 - The Democratic National Convention nominates Senator John F. Kennedy for president.
1969 - The U.S.S.R. launches the Luna-15 (unmanned) to the Moon.
1976 - In the U.S.S.R., the courtmartial of Valeri Sablin opens (central figure in the incident that inspired "The Hunt for Red October.")

Birthdays
1396
- Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy
1928 - Bob Crane, actor (Hogan's Heroes)
1934 - Alexei S. Yeliseyev, cosmonaut (Soyuz 5, 8, 10)
1935 - Jack Kemp (Rep--NY)/US Secretary of Housing
1942 - Harrison Ford, actor (Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Frantic)
1950 - George D. "Pinky" Nelson, PhD/astronaut (STS 41C, STS 61-C, STS-26)

Passings
1762
- James Bradley, 3rd Astronomer Royal
1793 - Jean Paul Marat, French revolutionary, murdered
1955 - Ruth Ellis, hanged for murder (last woman executed in Britain)
1973 - Lon Chaney Jr., actor (Hawkeye, Pistols 'n' Petticoats)

Reported Missing in Action
1963
Sam, Trinh A., Vietnam Commando; released March, 1983 - alive and well as of 1998

1965
Gallant, Henry J., US Army SF (FL); wounded/cut off from ARVN unit during ground combat, presumed dead as of 1973

Taylor, Fred, US Army SF (VA); cut off from ARVN unit during ground combat, presumed dead as of 1973

1968
Hurst, John Clark, USMC (TX); F4B shot down, KIA, body not recovered

nocashfortrash.org