There are a lot of things going on right now, which if I were more alert, I might be able to rant about.

But right now, I just haven't got the energy. I do need to post a rant, of sorts, but not of my usual variety.

My regular readers will likely remember that a few weeks ago, I lost my beloved best bud, my cat, Loki.

There have also been some family issues. Everybody's OK; just a few stressful events.

And as if that wasn't enough, I've had some health issues, too. Looks like nothing catastrophic, but I do have a health condition that is decidedly aggravated by stress. Stress? Me? Nah.... Doc's just gonna LOVE this latest episode.

At this point, I'm beginning to wonder if I broke a mirror or something and didn't know it.

I have a small zoo. No kids, though we're trying, my husband and my little zoo are my family. Next to Loki, there is Sam. Sammy is a big, mushy, slobbery, friendly, goofy Bullmastiff. Since day 1, he's been a Momma's boy. Sammy is my baby. Big knucklehead still tries to sit in my lap. At nearly 150 pounds, that's not a fun thing.

Poor Sam has chronic allergies. I mean, he's allergic to just about everything. Wheat, beef, grass....you name it. We're always treating something or other. But through it all, Sammy just plugs along, happy just to be near me.

My husband called me at my hotel Wednesday night to tell me that Sam's slightly enlarged lymph nodes, which we noticed right before I left (common in dogs with chronic allergies), had blown up. Huge. I was going to get him to the vet as soon as I got home anyway. But it wouldn't wait, and so my husband took him. I knew what the answer would be, but I hoped I was wrong.

I wasn't.

Poor Sam has Lymphoma. He likely has - at best - a couple of weeks. Chemo and other treatment is not an option for him given his history.

So I am still not quite over Loki, and now I will have to say good-bye to Sammy, too. I'm not even sure that I will make it home in time to be able to say good-bye. My husband may need to do this alone.

It just sucks. Really, really, really sucks. And it isn't fair.

And so I apologize, but I really just don't have the energy today to deal with moonbats trying to ban movies, terrorist losers speaking at Ivory tower universities, and Bin Ladin's latest cinematic piece of lunacy. There are lots of great bloggers who are talking about all of these, so make sure to make the rounds of the blogosphere. The Truth Laid Bear and Pajamas Media are great places to find out who's talking.

I'll be busy trying not to snap like a dried twig. Damn, damn, damn.

WEAPONS TRAINING – Iraqi army soldiers engage targets at a firing range in Mosul, Iraq, Sept. 1, 2006. The Iraqi soldiers are training under the guidance of U.S. Army soldiers from the 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment during a week-long advanced training course. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Christa Martin

By Master Sgt. Chris Miller, USAF
Special to American Forces Press Service

KABUL, Afghanistan, Sept. 7, 2006 – For the last five years, here in the heart of Afghanistan’s largest city, lies the nerve center for the command and control of Operation Enduring Freedom, the mission to defeat al Qaeda and associated terrorist movements.

Combined Forces Command-Afghanistan is a coalition of 26 nations headquartered inside a brick-walled compound named after a graduate of The Citadel: U.S. Army Capt. Daniel W. Eggers.

Eggers, a former Green Beret, lost his life in Afghanistan on May 24, 2004, when his vehicle struck an improvised explosive device near Kandahar.

He was leading his Special Forces A team in Zabul province to help secure a critical part of the country and provide support to the Afghan government in a highly contested area. The camp was named in his honor during a ceremony March 20, 2005.

The compound is next door to Afghanistan’s presidential palace and down the street from the U.S. Embassy, the Italian Embassy and NATO’s International Security Assistance Force headquarters.

Citadel grads on Camp Eggers are keeping his legacy alive and believe that is particularly important now as Combined Forces Command Afghanistan will be transitioning over to ISAF later this year.

Retired Army Lt. Col. Clemson Turregano, deputy director of the strategic initiatives group for CFC-A and a 1983 Citadel graduate, said it’s humbling to serve on a post named after a Citadel graduate.

“Naming the camp after Daniel Eggers simply says so much about him, the Army and The Citadel,” Turregano said. “His service and sacrifice represented every Army soldier who has given his all for the nation.”

Another Citadel grad here, Air Force Capt. Wesley Maxwell, knew of Eggers from the moment Maxwell set foot on The Citadel campus as a freshman. Maxwell, a logistics support officer here, reported to The Citadel in the fall of 1997 and was assigned to the same company that Eggers had presided over the previous four years.

“As my classmates and I endured our ‘knob’ year, we were constantly reminded of the recently graduated seniors, specifically Dan Eggers,” Maxwell said. “Although I never met Dan, I felt like I knew him by the end of my first year. He was loved by his classmates and was a legend to cadets like myself who followed in his footsteps.”

Eggers was from Cape Coral, Fla., and commissioned in May 1997 after graduating from The Citadel, where he majored in history. He completed Special Forces training in 2002 and was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group Following his first deployment to Afghanistan in March 2003, Eggers was assigned to Company A as a detachment commander.

“The fact he was a SF soldier reflects a desire for excellence that is instilled at The Citadel,” Turregano said. “And the fact that today Camp Eggers is the base for U.S. headquarters in Afghanistan is a reflection of our nation’s need and desire to remember the sacrifice of not just Dan, but all these tremendous individuals who gave their lives for their country.”

(Air Force Master Sgt. Chris Miller is assigned to Combined Forces Command Afghanistan.)


Related Sites:
Combined Forces Command Afghanistan

GODORIA RANGE — A U.S. Marine practices firing a .50-caliber machine gun at Godoria range in Djibouti, Africa, Aug. 27, 2006, as part of Operation Unity Dart. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Reynaldo Ramon

News of Note
Operation Iraqi Freedom
Iraqi Government Takes Command of Armed Forces
Video: A New Era
Iraq Qaeda chief threatens new attacks - Video
Baghdad Bomb Explosions Kills 14

Operation Enduring Freedom
Taliban Extremists Continue to Target Afghan Civilians with IEDs

Homeland Security / War on Terror
Bin Laden on Tape With Hijackers
Video: New Terror Tape
Bush: America Is Safer, Winning War on Terror
Video: Bush Speech, Part 1 Part 2
Trial plan challenged - Video
Europe urged to come clean on CIA jails
Sept.11 TV Drama Angers Clinton Officials
Albright: Film is 'defamatory'
Democrats urge ABC to withdraw 9/11 movie
Vision for rebuilding WTC site unveiled - Slideshow

Other Military News
Kyrgyzstan Official: Air Force Woman Not Kidnapped
Senate approves $469 billion for Pentagon
Agent Orange Study Ends After 24 Years

Mid-East Ceasefire
Israel ends Lebanon air embargo Video
Iraq Qaeda chief threatens new attacks - Video
Lebanese greet blockade end with mixed feelings - Video

Immigration / Border Control
No ignoring US immigration reform: Mexico's Calderon - Video

Worldwide Wackos
Iran could discuss nuclear suspension: Khatami - Video
Iran moves step closer to U.N. sanctions

U.N. News
UN falls short on oil-for-food reform: investigator - Video

Media in the Media
Jill Carroll among new Harvard fellows

Mother Nature
Heavy rains pound Tucson, Ariz.

Oddities
Hey, I think your lower intestine is ringing...
Motorist jailed for blowing up speed camera

Other News of Note
Blair: I'll Resign Within a Year- Video: Under Pressure

Fox News
NASA: Space Shuttle Atlantis Launch Set for Friday
Arrest in Sex Assault Related To Baseline Killer Case
Drug Abuse Up Among Baby Boomers, Down for Teens
Bud.TV Won't Block Underage Viewers, Will Rely on Trust
Records: Boys Assaulted Girl As Older Girl Coached Them
Gov't Proposes $12M Settlement With Lay's Estate
Roddick Eases Into Semifinals
Complete U.S. Open Coverage

Reuters: Top News
Ivory Coast in political limbo after toxic scandal - Video
Colombia fails to curb threats, attacks: Amnesty - Video
NASA to try shuttle launch Friday
Earthlike planets may be common: study
Amazon.com launches digital download service
Miami, LA top list of US cell phone chatterers
Wuhan at crossroads of China consumer dream
Morales' plans to rebuild Bolivia hit snags
Woman in vegetative state plays tennis in her head
Drug use falls, except among older adults
Arrested Paris Hilton says just wanted a burger
Stocks stumble on housing, inflation warnings - Video
National Semiconductor shares fall
Shuffle Master shares fall
New Oriental Education up 54 pct in market debut
Hi-Tech Pharmacal shares drop after first-quarter loss
Pound lower on Blair uncertainity
Cracking the housing malaise
Countrywide risk, by Erik Dellith
Inflation could stay high for years: Fed's Yellen
National Semi profit rises, shares down on outlook
Gateway names 30-year tech veteran as CEO
Wal-Mart US CEO pleased with back-to-school
Amazon.com launches digital download service
Microsoft hints at delay of Vista in Europe
Cooling down
Housing slowdown will hurt factories in 2007: study
30-year mortgage rates rise slightly

AP World News
Wis. girl victimized by sexual assaults
Surgery death exposes hidden network
Amazon.com launches TV, movie service
Davydenko beats Haas to reach semifinals
Maurice Clarett indicted on new charges
Vegetative patients may have awareness
Dow ends down 75 on economic worries
Letterman inks CBS deal for 4 more years
Health advisers reject mercury report
Former BP executive declines to testify
Paris' DUI pinch a boost to party image
Facebook feature draws privacy concerns
Beer memorabilia collectors trade wares
Drug use up for boomers, down for teens
Number of jobless claims drops by 9,000
Man arrested in Phoenix predator case
Stars used to rate foods for nutrition
Court says Ohio too hard on some parties
Judge halts Bible giveaway at Mo. school
3 white La. students removed over nooses

Military.com
Amputee Iraq Vet Runs for Office

CENTCOM: News Releases
U.S. SOLDIERS KILL INSURGENT AND WOUND ANOTHER

MARINE HELICOPTER MAKES WEATHER-BASED HARD LANDING

Department of Defense
NEWS UPDATES
Bush Issues Progress on Terror War - Story
For Top News Visit DefenseLink

ON THE GROUND
U.S. Personnel Open Restored Water Well - Story
Tameem Railway Station Receives Upgrades - Story

IN IRAQ
Iraqis Disregard Threats to Repair Damaged Roads
New Iraqi Recruits Show Courage and Honor
Residents Find Relief, Security as Ops Expand
Iraqi Troops Learn to Detect Explosives
Iraqis Assume Responsibility for Prison
Iraqi Army Battalions Take Security Lead
New Brigade Takes Control of Air Operations
Young Iraqi Girl Needs Life Saving Surgery

IN AFGHANISTAN
Coalition Forces Deliver Cement to Afghan Village
Reconstruction Team Donates Prayer Rugs

IN DJIBOUTI
20 Servicemembers Become U.S. Citizens in Africa

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
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 Identify Army Casualties - 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
1380 - The Russians defeat the Tartars at Kulikovo - the beginning of the end for the Tartars.
1522 - Spanish navigator Juan de Elcano returns to Spain, completing the first circumnavigation of the globe and paving the way for the Magellan expedition.
1565 - The first permanent settlement in the U.S. forms at St. Augustine, FL.
1664 - The Dutch surrender New Amsterdam (NY) to 300 English soldiers.
1858 - Lincoln makes his speech about when you can fool people (some of the time / all of the time)
1863 - 47 Texas volunteers repel a Federal invasion force at Sabine Pass, TX.
1883 - The Northern Pacific Rail Road's last spike is driven at Independence Creek, MT.
1892 - The "The Pledge of Allegiance" first appears(Youth's Companion).
1900 - A hurricane and tidal wave destroy Galveston, TX, killing approximately 6,000. Pending the final word on Katrina, it is the most deadly in U.S. history.
1920 - The U.S. Air Mail service begins.
1921 - Margaret Gorman of Washington, D.C., becomes the first to be crowned Miss America.
1939 - FDR declares a "limited national emergency" due to the war in Europe.
1941 - The entire Jewish community of Meretsch, Lithuania is exterminated.
1943 - Italy surrenders to the Allies.
1944 - The first V-2 rocket lands in Britain.
1945 - The U.S. invades Japanese-held Korea.
1951 - Japan signs a peace treaty with 48 countries.
1954 - The S.E. Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO) is formed - to stop the spread of Communism in Southeast Asia.
1965 - Hurricane Betsy kills 75 in Louisiana and Florida.
1967 - Surveyor-5 is launched; it will make a soft landing on the Moon September 10th.
1967 - Uganda abolishes its traditional tribal kingdoms, becoming a republic.
1973 - Hank Aaron sets a record a record for the most homeruns in 1 league (709).
1974 - President Gerald Ford pardons former President Richard Nixon of all Federal crimes.
1983 - NASA launches RCA-6.
1990 - The Ellis Island Historical Site opens on Eliis Island, NYC.

Birthdays
1889 - Robert A. Taft (Sen-OH, Taft-Hartley Act)
1900 - Claude D. Pepper (Rep-FL)
1922 - Lyndon LaRouche, American Presidental candidate (1980)
1924 - Wendell Ford (Sen-KY)
1938 - Sam Nunn (Sen-GA)
1971 - Cristy Thom, Playboy playmate (Feb, 1991)

Passings
1935 - Huey P. Long (Sen-LA), assassinated at the Baton Rouge Capitol building
1981 - Roy Wilkins, longtime executive director of NAACP

Reported Missing in Action
1965
Goodwin, Charles B. Haskell, USN (TX) RF8A crashed (pilot)

Rudolph, Robert D., USN (CA); RF8A shot down (pilot), KIA, remains returned December, 1988

1968
Pridemore, Dallas R., US Army (OH); kidnapped by Viet Cong while visiting Vietnamese civilian

1972
Gerstel, Donald A., USN (IL); A7B disappeared (pilot) after being hit by lightning