Category Archives: Military
Unforced Errors: The Bane of the American-NATO Campaign in Afghanistan
The Scene at one of the Houses (Reuters: Ahmad Nadeem) The efforts of the United States in Afghanistan and chances of coming out with anything resembling a successful conclusion to the longest war in its history are being destroyed by … Continue reading
Filed under Foreign Policy, History, iraq,afghanistan, Military, national security
Not Alone: The Real Warriors Campaign
“Grant stood by me when I was crazy, and I stood by him when he was drunk, and now we stand by each other.” William Tecumseh Sherman When I returned from Iraq in February 2008 it began the most difficult … Continue reading
Filed under faith, iraq,afghanistan, Military, PTSD, Tour in Iraq
A Memorial Service for HM1 David Graney and the End of a Long Week
This has been a busy week. It began with an unexpected emergency to baptize the grandchild of a dear friend injured in a terrible household accident. I drove from North Carolina on Sunday to Virginia Beach and returned Monday evening. … Continue reading
Filed under faith, Military, remembering friends, shipmates and veterans
Thoughts after a Walk on the Beach: The Tapestry of Navy Life and Relationships
I walked Molly down to the beach tonight as she insists on every night that it is not raining. In the dark sky the stars twinkled and I pondered the events of the past few days. The roar of the … Continue reading
Filed under faith, Military, remembering friends, shipmates and veterans
Padre Steve Reviews “The Wounded Giant: America’s Armed Forces in an Age of Austerity” by Michael O’Hanlon
The Wounded Giant: America’s Armed Forces in an Age of Austerity (An eSpecial from The Penguin Press) • Format: Kindle Edition • File Size: 1685 KB • Publisher: The Penguin Press (November 15, 2011) I was recently asked to do … Continue reading
God in the Empty Places: Four Years Later
Four years ago I was leaving Iraq for Kuwait, the first stop in the process of coming home. At that point I wanted to go home but I didn’t want to go either. It was the beginning of a new … Continue reading
Filed under History, iraq,afghanistan, Military, PTSD, Tour in Iraq
A Weekend of Old Navy Movies: Mister Roberts, The Caine Mutiny and In Harm’s Way
Well I have the duty pager for the hospital this weekend so I have been hanging out at the Island Hermitage with my dog Molly watching classic Navy movies. Friday night I watched the classic film Mister Roberts. Yesterday I … Continue reading
Filed under film, leadership, Military, movies, US Navy, world war two in the pacific
Atrocity in War: The Afghanistan Video
“Our men can’t make this change from normal civilians into warriors and remain the same people … the abnormal world they have been plunged into, the new philosophies they have had to assume or perish inwardly, the horrors and delights … Continue reading
Filed under iraq,afghanistan, Military, national security, News and current events
The Last Troops Leave as Sunnis Quit Iraqi Parliament
The final contingent of American Soldiers except those assigned to the US Embassy. The last US military installation in Iraq, Camp Adder near Nasiriya during the cover of night to avoid traffic jams and for their security. As the 500 … Continue reading
Filed under History, iraq,afghanistan, middle east, Military
