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March 31, 2005



Update!

Yesterday, the Salem-Keizer school district caved just a bit. They agreed to allow the posting of this picture in Mr. Costa's freshman social studies classroom:

Note that there is still a weapon in Cpl Riecke's hand. The principal originally insisted that the weapon in the first picture be digitally removed. Thanks to the power of public opinion - hundreds of e-mails and letters from all over the nation - this silly application of zero tolerance was halted.

Mail is still coming in. Here's the latest, including this missive from a retired US Marine:

I am extremely disconcerted when I hear about “educators” such as Cynthia Richardson, who cannot tell the difference between gang bangers and US Marines in the field who are risking their lives for freedom. It makes me worry about their “critical thinking” skills. It causes me to question every other decision they make.

This sets the definition of political correctness as “Stifling anything you personally don’t like in the name of diversity.”

What happened to common sense? I am fairly sure no school district bans that. Am I wrong?

Unbelievable.

A sister’s pride in her brother. A weapon in the defense of democracy, held by US Marines. Common Sense. Pride in country.

Sacrifice. Courage.

No greater love hath he, than to lay down his life for his brother.

Please tell me this situation has been rectified

J Brock
Major
USMCR Ret

When Michelle Malkin picked up the story, our traffic increased . . . and so did the mail:

After seeing the article at http://michellemalkin.com/archives/001931.htm I feel compelled to write and say that the photo absolutely SHOULD be displayed at the school. For that matter, it should not only be displayed; it should be PROUDLY and PROMINENTLY displayed. In any case, the entire USA knows about the photo and the school handling of it now, so what harm is there in displaying it? Louis Wilen Olney, Maryland

Click below to read the rest of today's mail.

This from another retired hero:

Dear Ms. Richardson & Baker:

As a Marine Vietnam Veteran, I know we have fought for our freedom and
for the freedoms of many nations in this world. These men and women
who lay down their lives for our freedoms need to be recognized.
Certainly if they are one of our own school alma maters. What High
School would not be proud to count themselves worthy of being one of
the mentoring groups which developed this great American? Apparently
yours.

I am astounded the Salem educational system is bereft of sound
guidelines to know how to Honor a Great American, in this day and age.
This is not the '60's and '70's, unless you're still thinking that's
the way to treat our troops. To only be able to honor Bill Riecke by
digitally removing the American weapon which he uses to protect us,
himself, his fellow warriors and to serve our free Nation is
ridiculous.

With your logic, one would then think we could not show Firefighters
holding axes, or Police with their SWAT gear or K-9 units, etc., etc.

We need to be honoring our Marines and troops who serve us. Why not
provide a "Heroes Wall" at your school and enlist all the relatives to
place their photos to give thanks for their service????

Now, that would be an American thing....

Sincerely,
william halvorsen

BTW, here's a great poll:

http://www.katu.com/news/news_poll_soldier_in_school.asp

Gotta love a veteran who quotes Santayana:

Please tell me this is NOT true … a picture of a GUN (yes I have seen the photo in question) is not a graphic display of violence or even an un-graphic depiction of something evil any more than a picture of a cheerleader is a display of softcore porn …. or anything else evil even though we know that some individuals MIGHT get that impression or thought in their heads. As a veteran of 10 years I am outraged. Pictures of weapons in the hands of brave young man and women fighting and dying in some cases appear through out our history books, and rightfully so … to dishonor the actions of these young men by removing the weapon from the picture in the name of ZERO TOLERANCE is absurdity in the extreme.

Progress, far from consisting in change, depends on retentiveness. When change is absolute there remains no being to improve and no direction is set for possible improvement: and when experience is not retained, as among savages, infancy is perpetual. Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it. In the first stage of life the mind is frivolous and easily distracted, it misses progress by failing in consecutiveness and persistence. This is the condition of children and barbarians, in which instinct has learned nothing from experience. - George Santayana, The Life of Reason, Volume 1, 1905 US (Spanish-born) philosopher (1863 - 1952)

L. S. Hicks

Another voice from academia:

I have been and remain a part-time teacher. My mother was a long time teacher. My wife has taught. So has my sister and two sisters-in-law. I remain very active in the academic community at various levels and capacities. I am one of 5 children, all with extensive backgrounds in education. I am the father of two children, one in public high school and the other a recent high school graduate.

I am sure you have received a flood of e-mail on this. I’ll be short. You’re completely wrong on this issue and your position is so inherently flawed that it is abundantly clear that your good intentions and otherwise clear thinking have been horribly corrupted by living in the bubble of academia. No amount of logic, illustration or rational argument is really going to help you see this at this point.

Take some time off and refresh yourself before you do any more damage. Go do something else for awhile and then come back to academia when you can do more good than harm.

K. Howard
Oldwick, NJ

A bit of sarcastic wit from Texas:

Dear Enlightened Administrators.

I'd say just GO for it. Ban the Marine photo and suspend the kid for trying to display a half-nude male figure. Gin up the local politicians to get some cover! You know the folks. Children: Yes, half-nude Marines with disgusting, immoral, tools-of-the-Chimperor fully automatic death spurting machines: NO! Stand up and be counted! Who the heck do these folks think they are fooling with? You're a PUBLIC SCHOOL ADMINISTRATOR, for Gaias sake!

Not only do that Scot's shield and sword have to go, but the Scot as well. Who is he supposed to be fighting, anyway? If your students fight or carry weapons, don't they get dumped back on their parents laps until they have been to peer anger counseling? And what's with the HE? Isn't that a little suppressive of your female and future transgendered students? And what is a SCOT doing in Oregon? Can't you get a shaman or an indigenous person as some sort as a mascot? Or forget this homosapien centric kind of thinking. Isn't there a snail or a mushroom that can be adopted as an inspiration to learning? The ecosystem is loaded with cedars, breaking waves, gravel, organic substrates, tectonic plates, asexual fungi, and the best you can do is an underwear-free European male swinging a rapier? Someone thought this was GOOD? You could out-patriot these folks by adopting the TSA or a metal detector as the school mascot. How about hybrid cars or the 1040 EZ? Think, people, THINK. At LEAST let's go with a shorebird!

Let's show a little liberal backbone up there!

Robert Langham
Tyler, Texas

And here's a future career suggestion:

When Cpl. Riecke finishes his active duty with the Marines he should consider a film career. Definitely movie star material.

Your principal is a bufoon & I'm so glad you have used your site to highlight the absurdity in her position. Thank you to you, your son, and all the brave servicemen and their families.

Sincerely,
Mary D.

Another Marine Veteran answers Principal Richardson's question:

During an interview with KATU News, the school's principal, Cynthia Richardson, asked, "What message am I sending to my students if I post that picture?"

The message this picture sends is that brave young American men are willing to take up arms, go into harm's way, and be ready to do violence to defend the principles that make this country the greatest country in the history of the world, spread freedom through this miserable world, and stand on the wall in the dark of the cold night so that we--even people like Cynthia Richardson--can sleep safe in our beds.

This is nothing new. As a Marine veteran, though, I couldn't let it go without putting in my two-cents worth. (I probably even would've chipped in if your son had gone into the Army!)

Please give my best regards and a hearty Oooo-RAH! to Cpl. Riecke.

Semper Fi,

Bob Engler
USMC (1970-1978)
Newark, Delaware

A Marine father's outrage:

Dear Ms. Richardson, I have been following the story of the young Marines you refused to honor by rejecting a request to place their photo in your school. Today I finally saw the picture. As the father of a young Marine who served in Iraq all I can say is that seeing that picture shook me deeply and I would like to share this perspective with you. There is not a Marine family member who has not seen their loved one in a similar pose taken during down time in the combat zone with close buddies they lived with and depended upon for their very lives. There is also not a Marine family member who does not feel as I do about their own picture - feelings of deep pride mixed with memories of long days and longer nights fearing for the safety of their own loved one, dreading that knock on the door that might come at any moment. I would not hesitate to say that for most of us this picture is among our most personal and cherished possessions. It is for this reason that I feel the need to voice my own opinion on your refusal to allow this Marine's family to share their own experiences that are embodied in that picture. I find it difficult to put the words together in a way that truly conveys my sentiments other than to say your machine-like allegiance to some arbitrary, unthinking and unfeeling bureaucratic policy is of truly immense proportions. I find your willingness to hide behind these arbitrary regulations despicable and incredibly inhuman. That you are in a position to influence young children on a day to day basis is a crime.

Dan Dumarot

It's not just the Marines who have a problem with this:

Having become aware of the controversy over the posting of your son's photo at his old school, I wanted to contact you to offer my support. I'm certain that you are justifiably proud of both your children - as you should be. As the father of two bold paratroopers, I know I would be equally appalled should their service be denigrated as your son's has been. Rest assured that your family is in my prayers.

William R. Bridgeman
LTC, USAR, Retired

1st Bde (Abn), 1st Cav Div, RVN, 1965-6
HQ, XVIII Airborne Corps, Gulf, 1990-91

It's been said that the safest place in the world is right behind a United States Marine:

I would definatley put my life in these young mens hands before I would trust my life with any bureaucrat, especially if that bureaucrap had a black robe on.

Here's a question on equitable treatment:

Principal Richardson,

Are there any text books or books in the school library that contains a picture of members of the military or law enforcement carrying a firearm? If so why haven't these pictures been removed from the school in accordance with your policy? What about a picture of Bonnie and Clyde? Is it acceptable to show a picture of a criminal holding a firearm but not someone in the military?

Joseph O'Neill
Groton, CT

By refusing to post the original picture, Salem Keizer administration guaranteed that it would be seen by a far wider audience:

Perhaps your son's photograph will not be displayed at McKay High School, but it is now displayed on Michelle Malkin's website, imported as the background for my computer screen, printed on my printer and will now hang in my office. I can't be the only one who had the impulse to do that. Isn't it interesting how the high school administration's attempt to censor an image has caused the image to spread far and wide? Thank your son for me. We appreciate his service. I hope someday he walks back into his old high school recognized as the hero he is. Wayne Kraft

And another letter of support:

Good Afternoon, I'm sure you are getting hundreds of emails, at least I hope we can depend on others to stand up for the men and women who are standing up for us by sending you emails concerning your school not posting a picture of a Marine that is holding his rifle. Is this not History? Are these wars and death not discussed in your history classes? Are these men and women not over there defending our freedom, freedom of speech? I'm sure if you sat down and looked through the history books you may find some pictures of Military men and women holding rifles. What is the harm of posting this Marines photo? Isn't it true that your school mascot is holding a sword? What kind of message does that send to your students? It just doesn't make any sense to me. I think your school should be honored and proud to have a graduate such as this young man turn into a fine Marine. This is the real life. War happens in real life. Thank you, Dawn C. Gillespie, Illinois

Tools of the trade differ from trade to trade . . . but this letter points out that a Marine needs a weapon as much as a doctor needs a scalpel:

Why should the school administrators object to a photograph of American workers and taxpayers posing with the tools of their trade just because their trade involves a certain level of danger or violence? Is it any different than showing a mechanic with a wrench, a doctor with a scalpel, an IT specialist with a computer, or a judge with a gavel? Isn't it possible that the mechanic builds tanks, the doctor performs abortions, the IT specialist programs nuclear missile trajectories, or a judge sentences the defenseless to death (RIP Terri Schiavo)? The school administrators should be proud that one of their graduates is risking his life to defend his alma mater and everyone connected with it. Would the school administrators prefer photos of graduates waving white flags to Osama bin Laden, or saluting the U.N. flag. Let all Americans show dignity and pride in their country and chosen profession.


Here's the only (slightly) dissenting opinion I've received so far:

Hi!

First, let me say that I applaud your daughter's pride in her brother's mission on our behalf. And I salute your decision to back her, and, of course, your son.

Second, let me say that I see no reason that a picture of a man with a gun cannot be displayed for whatever reason, in a school.

However, I think that this particular picture just borders on the sensational; and might even cause problems for younger, or less mature students than your 15 - year daughter.

Perhaps a picture of them, in Iraq, but in a more relaxed (unarmed)
pose, like one of the pictures here would have been more appropriate.

If it were necesary for a picture of her brother to include arms, a different picture could still have been used

Thanks,

Frank DiSalle
Viet Nam veteran '69 - '70
New Rochelle NY


Posted by Deb at 03:30 PM | Comments (4) | TrackBack



March 30, 2005



More mail

The amount of mail sent by those with opinions on the Salem-Keizer debacle is incredible. Here are some of the letters we've received today. The first is from a VietNam veteran who is determined to give returning OIF veterans a different homecoming than that experienced by the troops who fought the earlier war.

As a veteran I can only ask "what are you thinking". Shame on You! Do you dare to try to take away the pride of a family of this Marine by demonizing him AND his brothers in arms?

Is this an attempt at left wing censorship?

Are the pictures of our armed forces so disgusting to you that you feel the need to try to make them into evildoers?

Maybe you would be happier with pictures of the "peaceful" Muslims beheading people here in this country?

That is why we (US) are fighting the terrorists in Iraq, as opposes to Albuquerque.

This decision reflects either "Anti- American" or "Anti War"sentiment, is this your own agenda you are forcing on the students.

OR, ... does freedom of speech only apply to the "appropriate" sentiment?

What message are you REALLY trying to send your students?

As long as I am alive I will do whatever I can to prevent what was done to us in Viet Nam by the liberal "enlightened", so called educators and press.
Stop making the US the bad guys.

As far as your zero tolerance policy. You had better get that sword painted over on you school symbol. That, or, you could use a little common sense or maybe even some good old fashioned pride in what those boys in the picture stand for,.. You're right to sit safe in Salem and be idiots

Patrick Schaar US Navy (Seabees) Veteran

Mr. Schaar, thank you for serving . . . and for your dedication to the current troops.

There's more, just click the link.


Here's a letter from retired USAF LtCol Cal Taylor:

Dear Ms Richardson and Ms Baker, As I'm sure you are aware, the issue of posting a photo of a young Marine in a McKay HS classroom has become well known. As a veteran of 26 years of US Air Force service, including combat flying in Vietnam, I must respectfully disagree with the decision that was taken. Even with the knowledge of what hapened recently in Red Lake, MN, in mind, I can't agree with the decision that only a sanitized photo (e.g. without a gun) of a combat veteran is permissible in the school. That young man and his companions and all who serve over there are continuing a proud tradition of service to the United States of America. It is because of their service, and that of my generation in Vietnam and my parents generation and beyond that the United States remains a free and open society. Th denigrate Marine Riecke's servie by aribrushing away that which is fundamental to his profession is not acceptable. As I understand it, because of a newspaper reporter's question, you are now even considering modifying the depiction of the school mascot, to remove the sword he carries. If the district policy is carried to its logical fulfilment, you have a huge task ahead of you. Every textbook, magazine, library book and sheet of printed material must be reviewed so that any picture that features a weapon of any sort can be removed. That includes any picture of Revolutionary War or Civil War troops, George Washington if he is carrying a sword and all airplanes, tanks, and warships from every war that has been fought by the US. Miss Shea Riecke is justifiably proud of her brother, and, I'm sure, very concerned for his continued well-being, as is her family. To allow only a formal photo of him in uniform is to deny the reality of his profession. Do you similarly prohibit display of photos of police officers or sheriff's deputies who are wearing their service weapons? HOw about pictures of people engaged in the sport of fencing? The possibilities extend much farther than this short message can include.

Most disappointedly,

Cal Taylor
LtCol, USAF (Ret)

Dear Mr. Costa, Saw on 11 o'clock news tonight the flash on your attempt to allow Shea to have a picture of her brother posted in your classroom. And the result of your asking for permission to have it placed in the classroom, the denial, the airbrushing (or other alteration) to take the rifle out of the picture. Not your fault, sir, just another case of political correctness gone amok. Please pass this on to your administration, in case I have not guessed correctly at Ms. Richardson's address: Ms. Richardson, please feel free to share this with the school board - how awful it must be to take one of your students' honorable hero's and dismiss them out of hand. Lets see, a young man, graduate of your high school, who thinks enough of his future and his country to volunteer for service in the U.S. Military... sends a picture of himself in military garb and outfitted appropriately for the conditions in Iraq to his sister... who brings it to school to have it proudly displayed... only to have it rejected by the school administration... unless of course reality can be altered and the rifle in the picture can be photo-shop'd out...(?!). Tell me, does the school have any pictures of Emanuel Gottlieb Leutze's fine oil-on-canvas 'George Washington Crossing the Delaware' hanging anywhere in the school? OR perhaps in the library? OR maybe just in a book within the library? Let's hope that book is never opened within your overly PC school; would not want to see the results of your airbrushing out the rifles in that scene. And even poor Mr. Washington with sheathed sword in hand... tsk, tsk. Way to go, you fine supporters of our men and women in service. I'm sure Bill is certainly proud to be a graduate of Douglas McKay High School. Shame on you. I'm sure you all didn't intend for this to become a matter of public record, but it has. Seems only fitting a rethinking of your decision and a public apology would be in order. Now please go do the right thing.

Sincerely,
Stick

Here's another local voice:

Principal Richardson,

I wish to add my voice to the others that should be contacting you.

Efforts to keep our schools children, faculty, and staff safe are very appreciated. What has happened recently in some schools is absolutely tragic.

Please choose policies that really help with promoting safety. Neither the picture of the brave brother posted by his proud sister, nor the picture of the schools mascot is likely to incite any violence.

Perhaps focusing on EDUCATION rather than political correctness and political agenda would help our students at least stay even with students from third world countries.

Ed O'Neil
Salem, Oregon

These letters and the others printed here are models of civil discourse. Well said.

And, a poll on the KATU website that asks the question, "Should a Salem-Keizer student be allowed to display a photo of her Marine brother holding a firearm on a classroom bulletin board?" is currently at 6,713 votes with 90% in favor. If anyone who is against the display would like to provide a thoughtful opinion via the e-mail link at right, I'll run it.

Posted by Deb at 10:58 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack



March 29, 2005



Sending a message

KATU interviewed McKay high school principal Cynthia Richardson last night regarding her decision to prohibit display of a photograph of an active duty Marine, Cpl Bill Riecke, holding a weapon as part of an exhibit showcasing past McKay graduates. During the interview, she asked, "What message am I sending to my students if I post that picture?"

Marine Dad Skip Paris has a response:

How sad it is that our society has forgotten the hard work and dangerous living that our young men must endure to preserve freedom.

During World War Two photos like this bolstered the moral of the folks at home and helped us to remember that even though our boys were fighting in some strange place, they were still our boys.

And isn't that really the bottom line for us Marine Corp Parents? There in that hovel are our boys. Look at them in this photo, living thousands of miles away in conditions that the ACLU would find unacceptable in an American prison, yet they smile and joke. These are tough young men taking and passing the ultimate test.

I wrote to the school board and I understand their reasoning. I don't agree with it, but I understand it. To me it's simple: our children should understand the American warrior ethic. They should see our brave young men and women holding the tools of the trade. Only in this way will they come to understand the sacrifices that some make to protect the many.

So please, take this school board to task, remind them of their duty to educate. Point out the history of Americans at war and the fact that our society owes it existence to people like our Boys.

A former Oregon resident also offers a clue:

Dear Ms. Richardson and Ms. Baker: May I respectfully suggest that the United States Marine Corps is a military organization whose function is to carry weapons on behalf of all of us and to use those weapons skillfully so that our country can remain free. When you show a likeness of a United States Marine graduate of your school without his weapon in a battle zone like Iraq, you are showing him effectively out of uniform. You might as well show a battleship without its guns or Paul Revere without his horse. Your decision to modify a picture of Bill Riecke to remove his weapon is wrongheaded. It betrays an irrational fear of firearms properly used. You do not need to be afraid of firearms, nor of photographs of Marines handling them. On the contrary, you should be proud that your graduates find the military an honorable and patriotic way to serve their country. I am a former resident of Oregon and my son still lives there. Don't fall prey to politically correct policies. Let Mr. Costa put an unadulterated picture of Bill Riecke up in his classroom. You will not be sorry that you did. Sincerely, James D. Ellen Washington State

Here's a perspective from a VietNam veteran (and thank you for your service - it is appreciated):

Ms. Baker & Ms. Richardson:

I served to my country proudly during the Vietnam Era. When I came home I
was greeted with distrust and questions. What you've decided to censor in a
photograph of a Marine while on duty is another insult to all servicemen
past and present. Did the photograph show anything remotely described as
morbid? Body counts were common during my time yet the media managed to
display morbid photographs with the evening news. Instant worldwide media
today could do such things and common sense forbids a repeat of their past
stupid actions. Pride as a Nation could be undermined with your brand of
censorship. Reconsider your actions and replace the photograph as presented
proudly by the 15 year old sister of a Marine. ( Shea Riecke )

USMC - 1970-74
(name withheld)

I'll give you my name if that is important to you - When you respond with
justification to uncontrolled censorship and disrespect to our Military
Servicemen.

Posted by Deb at 11:27 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack



March 28, 2005



Media Update

Oregon residents can tune in to the 11:00 p.m. news broadcasts for KOIN and KATU tonight to watch Connie and her daughter Shea discuss the Salem-Keizer school district's decision not to allow a picture of Cpl Bill Riecke, an active duty Marine holding his weapon, to be posted unless the weapon was removed from the picture via photo editing software. Here is the photo in question:

Posted by Deb at 06:39 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack





Zero-tolerance Update

Connie will be a call-in guest on Lars Larson's nationally syndicated radio show today at 1:00 PST, discussing the Salem-Keizer school district decision to ban the picture of her son, Cpl. Bill Riecke from a social studies classroom at McKay high school because the active duty Marine who was serving in Iraq was holding a gun. Find your local station here.

We also sent a link to the Opinion Journal and were pleased to see that they picked it up, albeit with the wrong link back (to the Statesman Journal article instead of Marine Corps Moms).

Posted by Deb at 12:58 PM





Operation Iraqi Freedom II: Oregon Marines

Proud Marine cousin Amy Fascholtz-Ames sent this update from Major Anthony Randall who serves with HMLA 367. She reports that cousin Tony graduated from Bonanza High School (Bonanza, OR) and OIT (Klamath Falls). Grandparents Louis and Maren Randall own and operate the Circle 5 Ranch in Langell Valley. Several other family members still reside in the Bonanza and Klamath areas. The family is very proud of their Marine!

Right to Left: Major Tony Randall, Bonanza; LCpl Ryan Smith, Canby, Sandpoint ID; LCpl Aaron Reed, Corvallis; 1stLt J. D. Callicoatt, Grants Pass; Cpl Jose Elias, McMinnville, Beaverton, Eugene; Cpl Anita Strahl, Portland, Medford; Cpl Ryan Pecknold, Durham Cpl Karl Kriegh, Eugene; Sgt Mike Moore, Capt Robert Cox, Bend; Capt Cris Faught, Grants Pass
Not pictured: SSgt Thomas Greggory, Portland; Sgt Anthony Gay, Gresham; Cpl Michael McCain, Bend; Cpl Matthew Sowder, Gresham; LCpl Joshua Gray, Medford; 1stLt Todd Shuck, Grants Pass, Eugene
As the Aircraft Maintenance Officer for Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 367, it has been my intention to write on this subject for almost six months now. As our time in Iraq draws to a close I guess it’s time to put the idea on paper. In our squadron of approximately 345 Marines and Sailors, 260 of which work directly for me, there are 17 proud serving Oregonians. It’s not my intent with this to be self-serving in any way. I will always have my own personal memories of the time that we spent in Iraq and that is all I will ever want. This is written is to bring to your attention, the quality of young men and women that the state of Oregon has produced and what some of them have accomplished.

Our deployment to Iraq started back in August when we departed from our home base, at Camp Pendleton, California. For the past seven months we have been living and conducting flight operations out of Al Taqaddum Airfield in central Iraq. Al Taqaddum is located in the lower, western corner of the Sunni Triangle between Ar Ramadi and Al Fallujah.

During our time here, both the “Battle of Fallujah” and the Iraqi national elections were conducted. To say the least, our time here has not been without excitement. For the majority of us that time has been hours and hours of pure boredom broken up by moments of sheer terror. Some of us are lucky enough to be pilots or aircrew on the AH-1Ws and UH-1Ns that the squadron flies. We have seen the Euphrates River Valley and the green fields that run along it. We have flown to places like An Najaf and Baghdad. We were the lucky ones.

The majority will spend the whole of their seven plus months within the confines of Al Taqaddum Airfield. This entails a six-minute walk each way from the living area to the hangar where they turn wrenches, bend metal, chase trons, repair weapons or load ordnance on helicopters. Most have seen the map on the wall showing the Euphrates River one mile to the north and Habbaniyah Lake one mile to the south and west, but as neither of these are visible, they have no concept of what lies beyond the main camp.

For most of the Marines in this squadron, Iraq is a pile of sand and dirt with a runway down the middle and some hangars and tents. It’s sort of like being at camp for seven months. There is a very small exchange that is adequate for most living items, a chow hall, whose quality rises and falls like a sine wave, a tent with a bunch of donated books (thank you American public) and a gym with a strange assortment of both commercial and homemade weights and machines. Overall, pretty good for a deployed Marine base.

The biggest difference between this and a bad summer camp is that here, the tents have standing water inside every time it rains, the dust storms restrict visibility to less than 100 yards, and rockets and mortars occasionally fall on the base. During the build-up to the Fallujah battle the number of rocket and mortar rounds that impacted the base rose until we were getting hit every day. I believe that on the worst day there were 21 impacts and they all came within the space of about two minutes. Nothing worse than being in a chow hall with 100 other people who are trying to crawl under the table; unless it’s walking out in the open on the parking ramp with no cover anywhere.

Once the Fallujah battle was over that number fell significantly until we only received incoming about once every two weeks. We experienced a small buildup again leading up to the elections, but since then, our little piece of the theatre seems to have calmed down a bit. I hope it continues to stabilize.

Do I think that the Marines in this unit have had it hard? No. They all signed up for this and I think will all be better for it. As a pilot, I have been in direct support of those Marines whose pictures you have seen on the magazine covers and I know very well that they have had a much harder time then we ever did. It’s like life; there’s always someone who has it easier and always someone who has it harder.

The Marines in this unit spent their time keeping aircraft in the air in order to support the Marines in the thick of the battle on the ground. At the peak of the Fallujah battle most of them were working 14-hour days at a minimum. They had total focus and dedication for the task at hand. This squadron has flown over 1000 hours per month for the past six months. To put that in perspective, most HMLA squadrons fly in the neighborhood of 650 hours per month during peacetime operations.

These young Americans, and a couple who aren’t, have persevered in an austere environment month after month and of the complaints I have received, none have been about the job that we must do here. Some are of the opinion that the military is a place for those who had some sort of problem trying to go to college or get a real job, but I would tell you that is the thought process of a generation that was raised with a military of the draft.

An all-volunteer force is a wondrous thing. The people who are here want to be here. They are a cross section of the rest of you. They just happen to wear their country’s uniform to work every day. They are no different than the young men and women with whom I attended college, with the exception of the rules and regulations that they are required to live under. They have come to a war zone and performed admirably.

I am proud to be a Marine and I am proud to serve with each and every individual in this unit. But I am extremely proud to be one of the Marines that claim Oregon as their home. Some of these Marines, maybe all of them, will return to Oregon one day and continue to contribute as they have done here. If those contributions are equal to the level of performance I have witnessed here, Oregon’s future is bright indeed. Be proud of these young people and if you happen to have the good fortune to run into one of them on the street in the next couple of months, please welcome them home.


Posted by Deb at 09:29 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack



March 27, 2005



Gold Star Mothers celebrate Easter

As we celebrate the resurrection of Christ this Easter, knowing that there is everlasting life is a blessing for mothers of fallen Marines. A few weeks ago, Sharon Rosnick talked with a few of them:

As Easter approaches, the resurrection message is even more special this year for Sharon Westbrook.

"I know I will see him again," she said. "The wait will just be a little longer."

The him she is talking about is her son, Pfc. Jason Poindexter, a Camp Pendleton Marine who was killed in Iraq on Sept. 12, 2004. He had been a Marine for only nine months, and in Iraq for only seven days, when he died.

"His destiny was chosen at birth. I miss him but I don't have any tears of regret," says Westbrook, who lives in San Angelo, Texas. "He was a goofy kid that loved life, and his death has brought me a faith in mankind I never had before."

In Southern California, Mercedes Butts of Granada Hills approaches the March 27 Christian holiday with a strange peace. She plans to spend some time on Easter Sunday at the National Cemetery in Los Angeles.

There, her two sons, 20-year-old Marine Lance Cpl. Matthew Alan, and his 13-year-old brother, Mark Alan, are buried side by side despite the cemetery's initial refusal to do so. A crusade by the Marine Corps and scores of Marine Moms stifled protocol so the siblings could keep the promise they made to each other to be Semper Fidelis – always faithful.

"I have no doubt in my mind the two of them are together," she said. "And I have no doubt Matthew went first so he could welcome his little brother home."

Read the rest here.

Posted by Deb at 07:22 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack





Back home

I returned to Oregon last night after an all-too-short visit to my son who returned from Iraq last Saturday. The Marines are enjoying a 96-hour liberty with their family and friends. Please keep LCpl Jonnie Seeley in your prayers. He bought a new truck with the money he'd earned during his deployment with 1/7 Baker Company in Husaybah and stopped by his mom's house in Arizona to show it to her, then left to return to base. En route, he had an accident and is in a Nevada hospital with serious injuries. I gave a ride off base to LCpl Seeley and a friend last Saturday night after the guys returned. They were so happy to be back home and in civilian clothes once again. The last thing I told them was, "Be careful". My heart aches for him and his family.

Posted by Deb at 07:14 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack





More on the Salem-Keizer School District

Connie still has not heard from the school district regarding her letter protesting their decision to eliminate the weapon from the hands of her son, via Photoshop wizardry, in order to display the picture in her daughter Shea's freshman social studies classroom. The story ran as an editorial in the Salem Statesman journal last week, and was followed up with another editorial on Friday.

Here is Connie's second letter - this time to Communications Coordinator, Simona Boucek.

Ms. Boucek,

I invite you to contact me regarding the picture you commented about in the article in Friday's Statesman Journal. You stated that the picture "does not necessarily convey military service" and "soldiers are pictured casually in a nondescript room". I would like to address those statements and also share with you our website that provides daily information about Marines stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan, www.marinecorpsmoms.com.

First US Marines are not soldiers, they are Marines.

Second, what does "convey military service" mean? A Marine recruiter wears a dress uniform, either blue or green and I'm sure you think that is an appropriate attire for a recruiter. Marines in the infantry however very seldom where a dress uniform. They wear cami's while deployed, nothing but cami's and while in a war zone they are NEVER without a gun. My son's job is to protect and secure the freedom of us all and for the people in Iraq. His job is not pretty and it makes many of us very uncomfortable to discuss. And maybe that is the reason this topic is so appropriate for a high school social studies class. It might be beneficial for you to research the many military branches of service and their role in the current events of the Iraq war in order to address this topic knowledgably. No matter what job you have in the Marines, you are trained for combat first and foremost. I'm sure many of our high school graduates will be embarking on this career path and it would be beneficial for them to know the facts.

And, third. The "Marines" are pictured in a tent inwhich they lived in for over seven months in a Marine camp on the Syrian border. You will not read much about this camp or city (Huysabah) because it is so dangerous that the media is not allowed there. They are not in complete uniform because its a mere 130 degrees. I personally have never been in an area of 130 degrees, but I tend to believe that I would probably want to undress as much as possible to provide some comfort during my brief "off" time (which is a few hours each day). The air conditioner in the back of the photo ran only when there was enough electricity, provided by a small generator and from what I'm told that was basically never. Although a very good thought. It IS a camp of tents and Marines are stationed their today. There is very little comfort, food is only provided through MRE's (meals ready to eat), showers happen approximately every three to four days to conserve water and energy, so you can imagine that washing your uniform does not happen often.

My son was a vehicle commander for CAAT Blue which is an emergency response team. He patrolled the streets of the city of Huysabah daily and was attacked by insurgents daily. He lost four vehicles during his seven month deployment during heavy combat, but most importantly he is very proud that he did not lose one man.

As the communications coordinator of our school district I find it offensive that you have not contacted me to share the districts decision regarding the picture in question. In fact not one representative from the school or district has made contact with me or with my daughter, the freshman student attending McKay High school. I could have shed some light on issues that you used in your statement. In the educational arena we look for new ways to stimulate and spring board discussion on various topics, especially in regards to community, national and world events. What more appropriate place than a social studies classroom? This could have been just the beginning of a very stimulating and educational event within our schools. Shea is not alone, there are many other students who are living the daily events of a family member at war. For instance, just today the Oregon National Guard welcomed home the 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry. As a parent and educator I would only hope that our schools would embrace such an opportunity to stimulate our young adults, to embrace those who are touched by this war and to lend support and understanding of their family situation. And, it just may be the most rewarding experience in education for many of the high school students attending that social studies class.

Connie Riecke
Proud Mom of Bill, Sarah and Shea


Posted by Deb at 06:56 AM | Comments (21) | TrackBack



March 25, 2005



Update on Salem-Keizer School District

Two weeks ago, Shea Riecke took a picture of her active duty USMC brother, Cpl Bill Riecke who graduated from McKay high school, to her high school social studies classroom to share with other students.

In order to display it, the school district told her that it would have to be altered to remove the gun. We printed Connie's letter to the school district earlier and asked you to comment. Many of you did and the story hit the city newspaper today in an editorial by Carol McAlice Currie:

Unless they want to risk violating the school-district's zero-tolerance for weapons policy, Salem-Keizer student marksmen cannot have a pistol embroidered on their letterman jackets. Teen hunters are not allowed to wear silk-screened T-shirt images of themselves standing with rifles and bagged bulls.

And now, a high-school freshman who wants to hang a picture of her brother serving in the military is finding similar prohibitions because the image features a fully automatic rifle and a machine gun.

Last week, Shea Riecke, a freshman at McKay High School, tried to take a snapshot of her brother, Cpl. Bill Riecke, a Marine currently stationed in Twenty-nine Palms, Calif., to her social studies class.

She wanted to display the picture with those of other McKay grads' career choices. Riecke's teacher, Rick Costa, encourages the exhibits.

But Riecke's photo created a little controversy. Actually, it kicked up a sandstorm of grief for the family and school-district officials because of the photo's content. It pictures the Marine hefting a big gun while decked in military desert camies (camouflage). It was taken while he was stationed in Iraq; he will be redeployed there this summer.

The image of Shea's brother does not necessarily convey military service, said Simona Boucek, Salem-Keizer's communications coordinator, and the automatic weapons are the most prominent feature in the photo. The soldiers are pictured casually in a nondescript room.

School officials denied the photo on the grounds the guns in the picture violated district policy. Riecke's mother, Connie Riecke, appealed to district officials including Superintendent Kay Baker. Connie Riecke said she has not heard back from the district but was told that it probably could be displayed if she consented to having the weapons removed, via computer, from the photograph. Riecke said her son insists that it run as it is or not at all. She agrees with him.

"I don't think our school policies are meant to rewrite history. It doesn't make any sense to me," Connie Riecke said. "Are they going to go through every textbook and take out pictures of the Civil War that have soldiers carrying guns? Are they going to go through the library and take out all the Time magazines that feature soldiers with guns? I don't think so."

Connie Riecke said she understands the district's policy but thinks it should make an exception in this case.

"I want educators to be truthful," Riecke said. "This is a career choice, and children need to know that this is an important but dangerous job."

She believes that if the district allows military officers to recruit in high schools, it shouldn't conceal realistic images like the one of her son.

"It's a difficult issue for the district," Boucek said. "We'd be happy to honor her son and his service to our country, but it has to be a photo that's more appropriate for the classroom."

Boucek said an official portrait in dress uniform would work.

"We understand the girl's concerns, but our policy prohibits any display of weapons. This photo just isn't right for a classroom," Boucek said.

The district's caution is understandable, especially when earlier this week, a 16-year-old Minnesota student went on a shooting rampage at his high school, killing five students, a teacher and a security guard. He also killed his grandfather and the grandfather's companion before the attack at the high school, where he later killed himself.

This is a tough choice.

I don't believe that the minds of our high-school students are so malleable that they can be changed by the presence of a photograph, and sanitizing frightens me when government does it, so I wince if schools are doing the same.

But how do we know where to draw the line in this hot desert sand

For these Marines, that line was drawn in Iraq where they have spent months at war with insurgents bent on crushing the birth of democracy. It takes weapons to do that. Cpl Riecke and the other two Marines in the picture are infantry Marines, who served in one of the most dangerous regions of Iraq, and they take their weapons with them everywhere. On some bases, weapons can be secured when they are within the perimeters. Not in Husaybah. My son (1/7 Marines who replaced 3/7 when they came home last year) was shot at more times than he could count by snipers and mortered by insurgents on a regular basis. When I told him this story, he said that it's hard for people back here to understand that the weapon becomes an extension of the Marine. It's necessary. They understand that.

Unfortunately, people like Superintendent Kay Baker and Communications Coordinator Simona Boucek do not. They live in Oregon, a far reach from any battlefield. Their ability to drive through town without fear of being blown up by an IED, their freedom to walk down the street without worry of being taken out by a mortar or bullet, has been guaranteed by the blood, sweat, lives, and bullets expended by Marines and other troops for hundreds of years.

Educators at this school district take pride in instilling critical thinking skills in its students. If only that same standard were applied to educators.

The hot potato has evidently been tossed to Boucek. Here is her e-mail address: BOUCEK_SIMONA@salkeiz.k12.or.us

And, if you'd like to point out the obvious distinctions between a troubled young teen in Minnesota who shot up a school, and our armed forces who are protecting the innocent in Iraq, feel free to drop a note to the Salem Statesman-Journal expressing your opinion of this situation, here's a contact: ccurrie@statesmanjournal.com


Posted by Deb at 09:42 AM





MGen Natonski wins the hearts and minds of a few 1/7 Marines

As 1/7 Marines waited through the last few hours in Kuwait prior to boarding planes for home, a few Bravo Company Marines were picked to load the plane. General Natonski walked over to them and asked them how they were so lucky to be selected as the work party. He then told them, "You'll ride 1st class on the way home. My officers can sit in coach".

Here is one of them - LCpl Aaron Henehen on the right. My son, LCpl Shane Conrad is on the left. He wasn't part of the work party but spent some time visiting the Marines riding up front. I think they would have cheerfully ridden in the baggage compartment just to get back to the U.S.

Here is CG Natonski's latest message:

During the next few weeks, elements of the Division will be redeploying back to home station. The past year has challenged us in many ways and in each endeavor the Marines, Soldiers, Sailors, and Airmen of the Division have risen to the occasion. I cannot express my pride in the accomplishments of every member of the 1st Marine Division. In cities such as Al Qaim, Husaybah, Hit, Hadithah, Ramadi, Nukhayb, Ramadi, Habbiniyah, Fallujah, Karmah, Mahmudiyah, and Iskandariyah, we have faced a determined enemy and on every occasion the courage and spirit of the men and women of the Blue Diamond have carried the day. The capture of Fallujah and the Iraqi elections that followed in January can be viewed as turning points for the future of Iraq. In recent months we have seen hope and freedom begin to take root and we are optimistic that democracy will take hold. This is due in no small part to the hard work and perseverance of the members of the Division.

On many occasions I have used the phrase “One team, one fight” to describe our efforts in Iraq. The Blue Diamond was at times composed of Marines from all four Marine Divisions, the Army’s “Strike” Brigade of the 2d Infantry Division, the “Blackjack” Brigade of the 1st Cavalry Division, 2-2 Infantry of the 1st Infantry Division, Army Psychological Operations and Civil Affairs units, Special Operations Forces, and the 24th and 31st MEUs. We would not have enjoyed the success we had without the support and efforts of these distinguished units.

Our success has come with a price. We will forever remember our fallen comrades who have given their lives in our mission. Our thoughts and prayers go to their loved ones.

I want to extend my thanks to the many volunteers who maintained the Division’s Family Readiness network. Your sacrifice and hard work throughout the deployment was critical to ensuring that our Marines and Sailors were able to focus on the tasks at hand. Your mission was vital and you executed it with professionalism and compassion.

We all eagerly anticipate our reunion. Every member of the Division will be afforded the opportunity to take leave in order to rest and adjust to life at home again. I ask your assistance in ensuring that everyone returns safely back to their home station after their leave period. We deserve to celebrate our accomplishments and our return home to families and friends, but we need to do it in a safe and smart manner.

May God bless the 1st Marine Division and its families and friends.

Posted by Deb at 08:31 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack



March 21, 2005



He's home

At 11:46 p.m. on Saturday, my son stepped off the bus that brought him and 219 other 1/7 Baker Company Marines home from Husaybah. Hundreds of families were gathered, anxiously waiting through the last few minutes of a deployment that began last August. Other families could not attend and a few Official Huggers were on hand to welcome home the Marines who had no one waiting. As the busses drew closer, announcements were made and cheers rang out. Finally, they were through the front gates, weapons delivered to the armory, back on the busses to Wrigley field, and pouring down the steps into the arms of waiting family members. The waiting was over. Our hearts were full and tears were flowing.

I will have more pictures as soon as I retrieve my camera from my son's barracks room and find a faster internet connection. Today, 1/7 reports for formation and then will be released for a well earned liberty. Shane and I are heading to Las Vegas - the antithesis of the place he's spent the last seven months.

Posted by Deb at 06:59 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack



March 19, 2005



One country closer!

1/7 is closer to home - they've left Kuwait. Hooray! My son called an hour ago and said he would see me tonight. I am a very happy mom right now.

Posted by Deb at 07:28 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack





Finishing Strong

The Green Side is updated - RCT 1 is coming home.

In one of his last second-tour letters home, LtCol Bellon describes the difference brought through the efforts of his Marines.

As I have said before, Fallujah is now thought of as a "safe zone" by the citizens. The atmosphere of fear and intimidation is now lifted. People move about during the day without fear. The curfew remains at night and frankly, that is just fine with the people. Iraqis outside the city talk of how safe they feel when they come to Fallujah. Talk about a truly incredible turnaround.

Last night we went up to the roof of the building where we stay and looked out over the city. Many lights are back on and more come on each night. It was quiet as could be. Perhaps the best description I can offer is "peaceful." There is no doubt that the muj will continue bring episodes of violence and terror to Fallujah. It is inevitable but they cannot undo the hope that is growing inside the people that things are getting better.

While the men have been working inside the city, other Marines have been relentlessly chasing and attriting the enemy outside the city. We have had more success capturing high value targets in the last week than perhaps during any other during my 22 months here. Once again, the Marines continue to exceed expectation. Instead of coasting in and playing it safe, they are pouring on the coal and finishing strong. The result has been a number of indicators of insurgent leadership seeking to open a dialogue with the Iraqi Government. Again, not to put too rosy a picture on it but it really is encouraging to the guys who have been here grinding away. The bad news for the enemy is that fresh legs are here and it is about to get worse for them.

Read the rest.

Posted by Deb at 03:14 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack



March 18, 2005



1/7 Welcome Home

Here's what we did today:


Actually, this happened last week. The kids at Crawfordsville Grade School helped make welcome home banners for their favorite Marine, LCpl Shane Conrad. They signed the banner and made two yellow ribbon posters to hang on each side. Here, my sister Cyndi Rinehart, school secretary, adds her special welcome for nephew Shane.
The forecast is rain. We stopped for plastic and weatherproofed the banners - here, Jan, Anita, and Roxanne lend a hand.
The banners are hung on the entry fence!! I am so happy to be standing here . . . and will be even happier tomorrow evening when those busses roll in and the Marines unload.
Proud Marine family of PFC Richard Ramos stand with their banner. From left, Aunt Jan, sister Roxanne, brother Nicky, and proud Marine mom Anita
Back home, Marine sister Roxanne and friend Amy make signs to hold up, welcoming home the heroes of 1/7

Posted by Deb at 06:21 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack





Waiting!

1/7 families are gathering in 29 Palms, waiting for Marines to come home. It's a happy time, although we are thinking and praying for the families of those fallen heroes who have come home for the last time. I am staying with the family of LCpl Richard Ramos who serves with my son and we're trading stories about our Marines and sharing ideas on how to make this homecoming memorable. Richard's mom, Anita, and I have supported each other through the last seven months - there is no one who understands like another Marine parent. Also here are Richard's Aunt Jan and Uncle Alex who were strong supporters of Operation Santa. Jan sent Christmas to 256 Marines last Christmas - one of the biggest individual efforts. Alex fixed a wonderful St. Patrick's day dinner last night - corned beef brisket, cabbage, potatoes, and carrots. We were all Irish last night. And now, he's getting ready to BBQ tonight. Gotta love a man who cooks.

In a few minutes, Anita, Jan and I will leave for the base on an early recon mission. We'll hang banners on the fences welcoming our warriors home from a very long seven months. Tomorrow, our sons come home. I am overwhelmed with emotion right now - and thankful for his battalion leadership that trained these Marines so well.

Updating the website is by chance - I'm using my cell phone as a modem and it's very slow. I'm not sure if I'll be able to upload pictures until I can get to a faster connection. I'll keep the posts coming though!

Posted by Deb at 10:52 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack



March 16, 2005



They got mail

At the end of Connie's editorial posted yesterday, we offered to print letters that folks sent to the principal of McKay High School and the superintendent of the Salem-Keizer School District. Here are the first ones - thanks for making your voices heard! Keep 'em coming and I'll post them as they arrive.

Ladies, I am writing to express my opposition to a decision made by your administration to alter a photo of a United States Marine for display on McKay High School premises.
I submit to you that this censorship will only serve to misguide the young adults you are supposed to be educating. We have a patriotic duty to acknowledge the fact that the servicemembers currently deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan are doing dangerous work in an attempt to spread peace and democracy to a part of our world that desperately needs it. You cannot adequately convey that message by sanitizing photos as you see fit.
Please reconsider your stance on this issue.


Sincerely,

Chief Warrant Officer Matt Frazier, USMC

and

My name is Jennifer, and my son Cody recently returned from his first tour in Iraq (specifically Fallujah). It is, definitely, appalling to hear the school will not allow the picture to be posted in its true form.

Cody’s high school allowed him to attend a full day of Government classes with his best friend Justin (also a Marine in Cody’s company). They spoke to each class, answered questions, and were allowed to be candid and honest in their answers. The truth, Cody felt, was important for his former underclassmen (including his younger brothers Junior class) to know. The local newspaper showed up that day, and printed Cody and Justin’s stories. The media, of course, appreciated the honesty, but the biggest impact was on the students, and all of the educators that made their way into the Government class to see and listen to their former students…now Marines.

I am sending this, also, to Salkeiz…they need to know that this is not a time to hide the truth, but respect it, honor it, and let everyone see and hear it. Cody’s former high school obviously gets it, hopefully Salkeiz will get it, too.

Jennifer L. Kay

Proud Mother of Lcpl Cody 3/1 India Co.

Proud Friend of Lcpl Justin 3/2

A veteran speaks out!

I am a Marine that served back in the late 50's and early 60's and I am writing about the Marine's picture that you chose to "edit" so it can be displayed in school. I think that you all should re-consider your actions and stand up and tell the world that you are proud of our fine young people over there protecting you!! Sincerely,

Senior-Vice Commandant

Marine Corps League Post #239

Daniel Cotter

Here's another:


Dear Mmes. Baker and Richardson:

I recently read of a student of yours who brought in a photo of her brother, a combat veteran Marine of Operation Iraqi Freedom--and was dismayed that her teacher was instructed to edit the photo to omit the rifle he was holding.

Are you not intent on educating children in a truthful manner?

If the case exists that you do not agree with the war in Iraq, I say this to you: your politics should have nothing to do with teaching children about the realities of history including war and how wars are fought and the courage shown by those who volunteer to fight in them.

My brother is also a Marine, a combat veteran of OIF, and this direct smack to all brave servicemen greatly bothers me.

As far as I know (having attended a public high school) educators waste no time lauding America's "failure" in Vietnam, and showing movies about wars (I was shown Glory, Good Morning Vietnam and Apocalypse Now) and you're worried about a REAL LIFE HERO holding a weapon who helped free an oppressed country?

I wonder if you have children, I wonder if they have video games, or watch violent movies. I wonder if you know any combat veterans--young or old--and really understand the sacrifice they make to keep America safe and free and free opressed people. Nothing my brother, and your student's brother has ever done has or will make me as proud as serving in the United States Marine Corps.

This is not about politics; it is about history. You have an obligation as an educator to educate your students in a honest manner. Or, are you so politically motivated that you feel whitewashing a picture will help people understand the realities of war?

Remember, you are free because many have died in war for this country.

I hope you take this to heart, and keep in mind the sacrifices made for ordinary citizens everyday by our military.


Sincerely,
Noelle Franzen
"Freedom Isn't Free"

Oohrah!

Dear Ms. Richardson, I live in Albany, Oregon and I have two sons who graduated from South Albany High School (2000 & 2004). Two years ago I attended a football game at McKay High School. My youngest son was the starting quarterback for South Albany at the time and we were playing football against McKay that night. During half-time we were treated to a great show. There was a huge parade of McKay student clubs as well a group of motorcyclists, a local Harley Davidson club I believe, who rode onto the center of the football field bearing the American flag. The crowd was riveted and the air was energized with patrotism. The announcer then proceeded to make an awesome and chilling announcement. He was honoring a former record-holdiing McKay football player (I think I also recall that this student's name and photo was still hanging in the locker room at McKay), now a decorated Marine, home from his first tour in Iraq following the American invasion. This honoree, unbeknownst to him that he was even being honored, was standing on the sidelines of the football field talking to former teachers, students and parents. This honoree was Bill Riecke. As his name was announced he waved his hands to the crowds of people in the stands and around the field. The crowd errupted in applause with shouts and offered him a standing ovation ~ an outward expression of admiration ~ an outward expression of gratitude and thanks. I was sitting in the visitor bleachers that night. I was sitting next to two other Albany parents, one whose husband was preparing to leave for Iraq as a member of the National Guard Reservists, and another whose son was also a Marine and would be leaving soon for Iraq as well. I don't know if you were present that night or even if you were associated with the school at that time. But I can tell you that the entire half-time event is something I will never forget. There was such a sense of pride for Mr. Riecke, for McKay High School and for our Country - a crowd of "American's" uniting in their pride and patriotism. I had reason recently to visit a Marine webpage in which I read about the Bill Riecke "Marine photo situation." I would like to express the following observation and opinion regarding this issue. I can not begin to understand or agree with the position you and the Salem-Keizer school district has taken regarding the editing of the photo Bill's sister brought to school. How can your school offer a public tribute acknowledging Mr. Riecke's accomplishments and his former association with McKay High School, and then so blatantly disregard his personal sacrifice as well as his personal request to not edit the photo. If for all of time we edited photos, that in our opinions, might promote evil and/or violence, what kind of history would we have? What could we teach? What we would know to be true? Have you edited all of the history books in your school district to be sure there are no photos depicting soldiers with guns? Have you removed all newspapers with photo's depicting soldiers with guns from your school libraries? We, as a society, may not agree with the truth we live with today. We may not like that our children live in a world in which violence and terrorism is so real. But our children are much more wise and resilient than your policy is gving them credit for. I urge you to reconsider your position. DO NOT edit this photo. Honor your former record-holding McKay football player/McKay H.S. graduate's request and post the photo his sister brought to school in it's original format. Honor Bill Riecke's service to America! A Proud American Mrs. Carrie Pool

Slippery slope:

They will have to replace all of their history or government books if they are going to stand by this kind of policy and for sure none of those history movie clips that might have guns in them. And, this could carry over to any English class that might have a book about war or heaven forbid a Shakespearean tragedy with any kind of weapon in it.

And, here's a Marine Dad:

I am apalled at your decision not to let this teacher hang a picture of a US Marine in his classroom. That same Marine is providing the very freedom that we enjoy today. Its not about your freedom of speech. You people just don't get it !!

Why don't you take the time and explain to these kids that if it wasn't for this Marine and others before him with their guns they wouldn't be enjoying all the freedoms they do have. Teach them to be proud of their service men and woman that VOLUNTEERED to protect them.

People like you are the problem with our society.
If you ever have to confront an enemy with a gun....you would be the one to run and hide behind that Marine and cry help me.

You have made a bad bad choice here.

I will be forwarding this story to all the media.....especially Bill O' Reilly and Shaun Hannity.

Gregg
Proud Marine Dad
Son deployed in Iraq

and, another proud Marine Mom speaks out:

Dear Ms. Baker, Are you aware that every Marine, no matter what his assigned duty is a Rifleman first and foremost? What would you have our Marines and soldiers enter combat with? Flyswatters? Do you truly believe that removing the "tool" that our fine Marine uses in combat from the photo is going to help the world? Do any of the kids in your high school know what the Holocaust was? Do you? You, Ms. Baker, need a serious reality check. Our Marines, soldiers, sailors and airmen are all putting their lives on the line for ALL OF US. You should recognize that they cannot defend us or protect our nation unless they are armed. I thank God you are just a school superintendent, and not our Secretary of Defense. I think you owe the Rieckes and all our military personnel an apology. Get off your PC horse and let kids have ALL the information. They can make up their own minds with out you deciding what is appropriate for them. Good luck, Karey Keel-Stidham Proud Marine Mom

Sandy, whose son just returned from Iraq, also has an opinion:

We send our children to school to learn. We trust teachers and educators with our children. Teachers are with them more during the day than with their parents. You have to be a VERY special kind of person to be a teacher or care giver. You have to want to make a difference in a child's life. You have to do something that they may remember their entire lives. Obviously Mr Costa is a very wonderful teacher who continues to remember those students who made a difference in his life. He is trying to teach the kids the real world, not only that these graduates may have been high school heros but the same students have gone on to help make world history. They were given independence and freedom of choices along with educational smarts, but now they have moved on to bigger choices of independence, responsibility, patriotism, freedoms, honor, valor and ethics, all in a days work for any branch of service. They have moved on from high school football heros, class president and honor role students. Why has McKay High School retreated and why is it moving backwards? Unreal! Do you think every graduate has a white or blue collar job...sorry we need our military also. When those kids graduate from high school and come out from the protection of their parents, there is a real world out there filled with terror, pain, heartbreak, fear.....when the lights go out, it gets pretty scary after sunset. They don't have to be taught how to use a gun, but they should be taught what guns are really used for....WAR! Guns should not be used by gangs or people who can't handle life's reality....those are the people who should not have guns but end up having them. They kill innocent citizens. When in war, innocent citizens get killed also sometimes, but so do the insurgents who have destroyed thousands and thousands of innocent citizens for no reason. My son returned last week from IRAQ. Everyone in WAR has a gun and a BUDDY! What should a soldier be holding....a pea shooter? Get real, get back into the real world. These kids have all seen guns, we grew up with war shows and western shows 50 years ago. Everybody got killed with guns, pistol, arrows and shotguns in those shows. There were even cannons and lets not forget about racism about Indians and blacks right here in the USA! Get out of the dark ages and let these kids see real heros. Let them put a face on a hero. When my son left for IRAQ, my 12 year old took a Marine poster to school for a project. As he started to send pictures home from IRAQ, Ryan took those to school and yes, David was holding a gun. It was his brother over there, fighting for freedom, fighting for their safety and their security. When his picture went up, there was a real face to the war. The poster was put in a glass bulletin board and was seen by all kids k-8. Because of the very small kids I did not send a poster with guns, however, I believe high school kids would be able to comprehend the real pictures of war by this time. Those kids were so behind in our project of sending care packages to these troops. They collected 187 containers of powdered juice mix for the troops. They even sent their allowances to me for shipping costs. They wrote cards out for every holiday that I would send over. In those cards they spoke their little minds. All of them said how thankful they were that you are protecting us and hoping they stay safe. Some mentioned how brave and heroic they were for helping children in IRAQ their age. Others asked how they were doing and asked about their familes back home. If grade school kids know what is going on over there, I can't believe high school kids do not have the comprehension of knowing there are people getting killed and saved by the soldiers caring guns for protection and to free a world who has not seen freedom for over 30 years. Come out of your shell because the real world has been out for a long time especially since 911. GIVE ME A BREAK! Your not helping our kids by showing them the truth, you are hindering them from the real world. Keep them away from the news Media who show the bad and get them connected to the Internet and find out about all the good things that these brave men and women do over there. Like you the news media is afraid of showing we are doing good over there, they only want to show the bad. These are our heros, not Video games and Clint Eastwood or other move stars. The ones who fight and lose their lives for your freedom....start giving them the credit they deserve and the benefits they should have. Our sons and daughters are proud of their brothers and sister and parents. Why aren't you proud of them. What are you afraid of? PROUD MARINE MOM OF A BRAVE SON WHO SERVED IN IRAQ! PROUD NAVY WIFE OF A BRAVE HUSBAND WHO SERVED DURING VIETNAM! Sandy Arensdorf, Iowa

Posted by Deb at 07:39 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack



March 15, 2005



Zero tolerance? Let 'em know what you think

My 15 year old daughter, Shea, out of sheer pride, took a picture of her brother to her high school to share with a teacher. Her brother, Bill, also a graduate of Douglas McKay High School in Salem, Oregon, is a US Marine and a decorated veteran of the Iraq war. He has been deployed twice and will be returning this summer for his 3rd deployment to Iraq. Shea has had the unique experience of supporting her brother during his deployments and the true realization of what war means to the families of our Marines and soldiers in harms way.

Shea, a freshman at McKay, has become acquainted with one of her teachers that her brother also had while in school. Mr. Costa is a social studies teacher and football coach. Bill being a football star while in school and lettering all four years is well remembered by Mr. Costa. Mr. Costa has several pictures of McKay graduates hung in his classroom and Shea asked that if she brought a picture of Bill would he also hang it with the others. He of course said yes.

Shea proudly printed a picture of her brother and took it to school. The picture she selected is of her brother in Iraq, in combat uniform and holding a gun. Just, a typical picture of a Marine at work in a war zone. Mr. Costa asked the school administration for permission to hang the picture due to the graphic nature of the picture. He was denied, based on the fact that a gun is included in the picture. From there I’m told it was taken to the Salem-Keizer Administrative offices and it was scanned and the gun removed in order for it meet the guidelines of political correctness.

I wrote the following to the School District Administrator and have not had a response.

Ms. Baker,

My daughter is Shea Riecke, a freshman at McKay High School. She is my third child to attend McKay High School. My son Bill and daughter Sarah were also graduates of McKay. I am writing to you to share with you a concern that Shea has voiced to me regarding school administration policy.

Shea gave Mr. Costa (one of her teachers), a picture of her brother to hang along with other McKay graduates in his classroom. Shea is extremely proud of her brother and the profession that he has chosen and she was happy that Mr. Costa recognized the accomplishments that Bill has made. He is a US Marine and a decorated veteran of the Iraq war. The picture depicts Bill in Iraq in combat uniform with other members of his unit, and carrying a gun. School administration denied Mr. Costa's request to hang the picture. From what I understand the picture is being scanned and the gun removed and will be returned to Mr. Costa to hang in his classroom.

Although, I understand the need to "shelter" our kids from horrific events in our community and world in regards to dangerous and illegal activities, I also see the need to better educate our young adults in realities of todays world and that includes the fact that America is at war in Iraq? The reality is many graduating students, even from McKay High School, will be joining the military as their career choice. I'm sure military recruiters walk the halls of our high schools daily. It is customary to wear their dress blues uniform to conduct such business, but in reality new recruits will be embarking on a very serious and dangerous career and the only uniform they will wear will be desert camis. They will be trained for many jobs but most importantly for combat. Our military strength is very important, especially in todays world, where the war against terrorism is featured in our newspapers daily. And, if I might quote my very heroic son, 'for those kids who join the military I want them to be prepared for reality, they need to know that we are fighting a war here, its serious business. And, everyone who chooses to join the military needs to know how serious it is, we carry guns and we have to use them. Don't hang a picture of me that has been altered and that does not tell the truth.'

So, my question to you is, does the Salem Keizer administration truly feel that scanning a picture to remove a gun held by a Marine really help to educate and/or shelter our children in the reality of our country, and of our world? What it does do is devalue the heroic work our very elite military personnel, who everyday give so much to secure our freedom and to fight the war on terrorism, and it does not educate our young adults in the truth.

My appreciation to Mr. Costa for "highlighting" McKay graduates and including my son.

Connie & Shea Riecke

For many reasons I’m appalled by the behaviors of our educators. I have raised and educated my children to speak and live the truth, to be proud of their country and themselves. Just how far will our society go to blind themselves from the realization that our country is at war and what that means. Is this a revision of history? As young adults graduate from high school I hoped that their education would provide them with the basic knowledge of our world especially today as our Marines and soldiers fight everyday to secure their freedom and the freedom for others. The future stability of our country is only as strong as our future leaders, they need to know the facts, not the propaganda created by our school administration.


If you have an opinion regarding the wisdom of a school district decision to Photoshop the weapon from an active duty Marine's hands, please share it with Salem-Keizer school district administration. Kathryn Baker is the Superintendent of Schools. Her e-mail address is baker_kathryn@salkeiz.k12.or.us. Cynthia Richardson is the principal at McKay High School. Her e-mail address is richardson_cynthia@salkeiz.k12.or.us. And since our comment feature is still broken, if you CC your response to us at info@marinecorpsmoms.com, we'll be happy to print them here.

Posted by at 09:19 PM | Comments (6) | TrackBack



March 14, 2005



"We made a difference"

My son will soon be home. Seven months ago, he left for his second deployment to Iraq and has spent those seven months in one of the most remote locations, at the end of the mail and supply lines. His phone call yesterday (3:00 a.m., sitting on the back porch in my pajamas to get the best cell phone reception) brought some very good news. He said that after having been isolated for seven months, seeing what has happened to mainstream Iraq is incredibly encouraging. Democracy is taking hold. There is positive optimism. And, that makes it worth the sacrifice. At 21, Shane has spent almost 6% of his life in Iraq, helping to bring freedom and democracy to people who wish to live in peace. And he can see that he and the thousands of other Marines, soldiers, sailors, airmen, and others who have given their sweat, tears, blood - and in some cases their lives - have made a difference. They're coming home, but they are leaving a legacy of freedom behind.

Posted by Deb at 11:34 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack



March 12, 2005



Healing Wounds

Master Gunnery Sgt. Paul Roarke Ordnance Chief for the 2nd MAW, currently deployed at Al Asad Air Base in Iraq, recently encountered a tiny survivor . . . and wondered what the future hold for this child and for the nation of Iraq.

At first glance, he seemed no different than any other 5-year-old boy — hyperactive, curious in the way all young children are and, when placed in the adult world, tiny. Yet this kid was worlds away from the designer-clad youngsters who roam shopping malls and fast-food restaurants in the United States. He was an Iraqi child, living in a war zone.

I came across the boy recently while traveling to one of the smaller forward operating bases to check on some of my Marines.

As anybody who has done it will tell you, traveling by helicopter in the Iraqi theater involves a lot of waiting around. Having your flight canceled, or getting bumped from the ones that are running, is just a fact of life here.

It was during one of these long waits that I came across this boy and heard his story. I first noticed him as I walked through the terminal. He was trying to sit up on a cot where he had been sleeping. But both his arms from the elbows down were heavily bandaged, and he couldn’t manage it on his own. As I walked over to help, an American contractor, who was an interpreter, got there first and helped the boy sit up.

I asked the man what had happened to the boy; though he didn’t know all the details, he told me what he had heard. The boy’s father had worked for coalition forces. Insurgents from their town got wind of this and tried to kill him and his family by burning their house down.

Fortunately, everyone escaped, but the boy suffered bad burns on both of his arms. He was treated by American doctors and was awaiting a flight to receive further treatment at another hospital.

As I listened to the story, I looked at the little guy sitting on the cot next to me. He watched our conversation with big dark eyes, though he understood no English. As a father of two boys, I felt bad about his condition. When he saw me looking at him, he gave me a big, white-toothed smile. When kids smile, you can’t help but feel good. So I gave him candy left over from a Meal, Ready to Eat, wished him luck and made my exit to wait for my flight.

Later, I watched the boy play a pickup game of soccer with Marines. He was a better player than the big, heavily armed leathernecks who struggled to keep up with his polished moves. Everybody laughed as, over and over again, he maneuvered the ball around them. You could tell that he and the Marines were enjoying themselves.

As I watched, I couldn’t help but wonder what he was making of the situation — his injury, the big camouflaged men all around him, the weapons. I wondered, when all is said and done in Iraq, how this little boy will remember it all. Will he look at the scars on his arms and think in some twisted way that they were caused by our presence here? Or will he realize the truth — that it was the work of a few low-life thugs?

Will he grow up to embrace freedom and democracy? Or will he be drawn to the dark side of the Islamic religion and end up shooting at one of my sons years from now?

I pray not.

I hope he remembers Marines as the guys who protected his family, got him help for his burns, played soccer with him and gave him candy.

But what I really hope is that when he gets older, he realizes these Marines left their friends and families behind and put themselves in harm’s way to come and help children just like him. That they risked life and limb to give Iraqis the opportunity to live free and without fear.

Sadly, many of those Marines won’t return home. I hope this boy grows up to remember and appreciate their sacrifice.

Only time will tell, but I think we are on the right track, and as that boy’s wounds heal, the nation of Iraq’s wounds will also heal.

Iraqis will have their scars, but they’ll end up better in the end.


Posted by Deb at 02:44 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack





FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Help Support the Families of the Fallen

We are producing an audiovisual DVD to be presented at the national Marine Parent Conference to help raise money for the surviving families of the fallen Marines from Operation Iraqi Freedom. Please review the conference at www.marineparentsunited.com. This inspirational DVD will not reflect political opinion or war agenda. It simply displays our love and pride for our Marines and our country.

We are asking media networks and professional photographers to contribute images and video clips. They will receive full appreciation and credits. We are also looking for funding to help support production expenses for studio time, DVD copies, packaging and marketing. Please contact Linda Kelly to discuss further details. Thank you for passing on this admirable request to help USMC families.

Semper Fi,
Linda Kelly

lin@westoneimages.com

Posted by Deb at 01:31 PM



March 10, 2005



12 heartbreaks, 12 cuts to the soul

Another hero falls - and we all mourn with his family. I have the address if anyone would like to send condolences. Here is LtCol Mark A. Smith's tribute to Lance Corporal Andrew W. Nowacki:

It is with profound grief that I report to you the death of Lance Corporal Andrew W. Nowacki, Truck Platoon, H&S Company, 2nd Bn, 24th Marines, United States Marine Corps. LCpl Nowacki was killed when an improvised explosive device detonated on his motorized patrol while he was operating as a machine gunner in the turret of an up-armored security high mobility multi-purpose wheeled vehicle. LCpl Nowacki was immediately secured by his platoon mates and air-medevaced to the Combat Surgical Hospital in Baghdad where he was pronounced dead.

LCpl Nowacki was a crushing loss for this Battalion. A crushing loss for the fact that he had joined the ranks of our fallen heroes, and for the impact he had on his fellow Marines. As I attended the memorial service, I was overwhelmed by the words spoken by his closest friends and fellow Marines during the teammate remembrances portion of the ceremony. All of them spoke of his unbelievable spirit. They spoke of his ability to never be down, no matter what the circumstances. They spoke of his always smiling, always laughing and always being the one that everyone else leaned on when the going was rough or uncomfortable. They simply made it clear that he was the rock upon which so many drew their strength. Such men are the leaders around which other men find steadiness and courage in dark times.

Now, one of the unfortunate parts of being the Battalion Commander of over 1,100 of the World's finest warriors, is that you just do not get the chance to know all of them in personal ways. You know all of them by face and name, and usually some glowing characteristic about them, but to understand them all at a deep level is just not an option. LCpl Nowacki was just such a Marine for me. However, on the day he achieved authorized entrance at his new post in Heaven, something happened that I shall never forget, so long as air fills my lungs, a song fills my heart, and thoughts of thanks fill my head for having been so lucky and honored to have shared the earth with such MEN as LCpl Nowacki.

To understand what it was that happened on his last day of earthly existence, I have to paint a bit of background, so bear with me. Now, Marines by nature are a cocky bunch; that is one of the things that makes them run to the sound of gunfire when everyone else is running away from it. And, part of being cocky is being "macho" in your bearing. In my numerous travels about the AO, I am always asking the Marines why they never wave at each other. I mean, when we pass one of our many checkpoints, where the Marines on duty are doing deadly work, living hard and suffering great discomfort, I fail to understand why their fellow Marines fail to give them a quick wave or a thumbs up. But, you should see them. As the sentry at a checkpoint waves a patrol of vehicles through, the ritual of "I am badder than you are" begins. Each Marine stares the other one down through any number of brand names of ballistic goggles and covered in pounds of armor and high tech killing gear. As they come abreast of each other, the tolerant scorns are exchanged and no words spoken. It is as if each one is trying to communicate to the other via telepathy the same message: "you wussy, you don't have it half as bad as I do." Now, when they actually are around each other and not on some combat duty, well, then it is high fives and hugs and banter and jokes! But, on duty, the ritual seems rigid, inflexible and a violation of some unwritten code if it is broken.

So, back to the day when a piece of my heart was broken and part of my soul was crushed forever, Feb 26. The day that will always be remembered and honored in the Smith household as the day LCpl Nowacki departed gate 3 at FOB St. Michael, and later that day met St. Michael face to glorious face. On this day, we were scheduled to take the leadership of the unit that will replace us on a tour of the Mayhem AO. Now, we have our procedures down to a science, but as can be expected, when joining units unfamiliar to our ways, some confusion reigns. The confusion on this day led to some delays in our departure and a shifting of the "timeline." Any time the "timeline" shifts, Mayhem 6 becomes a not so nice person to be around. So, our vehicles were staged, our Warriors armored, locked and loaded and waiting for departure. This of course meant, the ritual of the "game face" was underway. I was standing next to my vehicle monitoring the radios and waiting for the final elements to fall in place when a second motorized patrol began to make movement passed our staged vehicles. By the combination of armored HMMWVs and 7 Ton trucks, I knew instantly it was "Heavy Roller" (the tireless Marines of Truck Platoon and Marines from H&S who move about the AO daily in support of hundreds of tasks supporting the Battalion, and who does so with their own skilled and self-provided security that has engaged many a Muj with the skill and precision of any of my infantry elements). And, at the head of the column was a Marine standing behind his machine gun in the turret, with the largest smile on his face you had ever seen, and waving. Waving at every one of our vehicles that he passed at 5 mph as they followed their ground guide to the dismount point. I watched this and knew this was a Marine with a special heart! He was dispensing with the ritual. He had no need for pretention, no need for "badness." He was a Marine "comfortable in his own skin," as it were, and among those he loved. Something struck me as I was watching this Marine wave: he was living every day as if it might be his last, and he did not want to leave any unfinished business. You see, when we think of waving, we assume it is to say hello. But in this case, he was also waving goodbye, for the Marine who struck me on this day was Lance Corporal Andrew W. Nowacki. And hours later he would be dead...but no doubt, born again to new life.

In eulogizing their beloved brother, LCpl Nowacki's platoon mates reiterated the theme that he was ALWAYS the one that every one else clung to when they were at their worst, because he was always at his best. He was always joking, always laughing, always smiling. He was described as "the most unprofessional professional Marine" they had ever known. Far from being oxymoronic, to all Marines, that is the description of the Warrior upon whom so many have leaned on since the Corps was established. All Marines and Veteran Marines reading this will instantly know what I am talking about and will remember a Marine from their platoon who had the same quality and spirit of life as LCpl Nowacki.

As this week has gone on, as all weeks do, and I thought about how I would speak about LCpl Nowacki's death, I received news both here and from home of several children's births. That is always a cause for celebration. But what I really was thinking was: I wonder; I wonder how many of these parents who have just received the greatest gift God has to offer will teach them? Will they teach them of the deeds of men like LCpl Nowacki? Will they teach them that life is precious, and freedom it's greatest gift and deepest desire of mankind? Will they teach them to be prepared to either repel the evil doer or support those who do? I wonder? For I know one thing, 12 times every year, from here on out to my final rest, my wife, my daughters and I will stop on the 12 dates that some of the finest men the planet has ever known breathed their last, and we will say "thank you."

We will say thank you by name. We will say thank you by name and we will light a candle. We will say thank you by name, we will light a candle and we will pray for our fallen heroes and their familes. Then, we will reflect on our lives. Our grand and wonderful lives lived free, and we will remember. We will remember that no matter how distasteful, no matter how much the mind does not want to believe it and no matter how much the body rejects it, freedom has a very great cost! And that that cost is borne by young Warriors from generation to generation. We will remember, and we will say thank you again!

So, in closing, my heart has 12 breaks and my soul 12 cuts, and time will not heal them. God willing I will return home and I WILL be the same man I was for my wife and my daughters, as I believe we all will be. No, scratch that, we will be better men for the lessons we learned from those 12 breaks and those 12 cuts. And, on the day of my death, should the Lord be willing and I make it home, I know exactly what I am going to do when I see Lance Corporal Andrew W. Nowacki. When I see him...I am going to wave! I am going to wave at him and then I am going to salute him.

LCpl Nowacki: you waved that final fateful day, and I truly believe you were saying both hello and goodbye. So tonight, and in this letter, on behalf of all the Mad Ghosts, upon whom you had such an impact and have left such a hole: goodbye sweet Warrior! May the light of Jesus surround you, may the touch of his hand heal you and may you never know another tear, for ours flow freely for loss of you!

May God Bless and be with the Nowacki Family in this time. The Mad Ghosts are here for you.

May God Bless and Keep the Magnificent Families of 2/24.

Mark

"For those who, in a dark and terrifying hour, saw what needed to be done- and did it." - Lynne Jonell, Bravemole

Tim Carroll sent along this note describing how LCpl Nowacki was honored upon his final arrival home:

LCPL Nowacki served his country two fold, United States Marine and a Police Officer for Grand River, Ohio a suburb of Cleveland.

Accordingly, when he arrived home last Friday night (3/4) some 50 - 150 Police and Military vehicles escorted him to the funeral home where at the funeral home waiting in chilling night air were about 100 people who came to pay their respects.

On Monday, as is custom in Police Funerals, Officers from all over the area, the US and Canada came to honor him.

God Speed Officer Nowacki and Thank you.


Posted by Deb at 07:05 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack



March 08, 2005



One step closer to home

My son called at 3:00 this morning - he's one step closer to coming home. No more helicopter rides, so another worry crossed off my list. After 7 months on the Syrian border, living in very spartan conditions, the variety of options available on the interim base is overwhelming. There is fast food after months of MREs. A PX where he's gone shopping for the first time in months. There are women who are not wearing burkas. And, when he comes home, we'll continue the culture shock in Las Vegas. I am driving down to 29 Palms next week and will be there when the bus comes in. Right now, I'm overwhelmed with emotion - after seven months of anxiety, homecoming is almost here.

Posted by Deb at 12:18 PM | Comments (0) |