[December 20, 2025] Shortly after assuming command of a Mechanized Infantry Company in the late 1980s, I was assigned a brand-new second lieutenant. Because of his actions while in my unit, the men began calling him ‘Lieutenant Mud Flap.’ That year, we would all learn lessons that helped us master the art of leadership. A leader does the… Read More »
[December 19, 2025] My friends and I had long conversations about Iraq’s President Saddam Hussein and his role in the Iran-Iraq War. The debate over whether he was an evil dictator or a grandfatherly figure protecting his country raged on and off, even after he used chemical weapons to attack Kurdish civilians in 1988. Known as the Halabja… Read More »
[December 12, 2025] By May of 2007, the preparation for the Surge was fully underway. Everyday, we brought more resources into play as we readied the Coalition to expand both in personnel and combat capability. This was a critical phase as we prepared the battlefield for GEN Petraeus’ new military strategy. Our job as Engineers was to ensure… Read More »
[December 9, 2025] There never was a time when Soldiers said the weather in Iraq was beautiful. Typically it was clear, windy, dusty, and warm (or hot as Hell). We paid close attention to the weather because it was a major factor in the speed of construction; the hotter it was, the less efficient we could get… Read More »
[December 5, 2025] Where is this nation headed? When the Democrat Party uses the force of law to target their political opponents who are helping pregnant women? That’s the state of New Jersey when a lawyer for NJ’s Attorney General’s office subpoenaed First Choice, a pro-life group that assists women with their pregnancies and discourages abortion. And, yes,… Read More »
[November 27, 2025] The Coalition Engineers would become more involved in the Iraqi reconstruction effort than perhaps originally planned. Reconstruction was meant to be an international effort, but that too failed to materialize. There was plenty of talk among diplomats and large businesses that wanted to participate in rebuilding Iraq, yet most of their efforts never got off… Read More »
[November 19, 2025] David and I were 16 when he decided to hop onto a train and head out West; to ride the rails. We had been infected by the cowboy spirit, “Head West, young man, head West.” Just before our junior year in high school, we were exploring the abandoned towns that lay far out into the… Read More »
[November 10, 2025] In a brutally honest email sent to the “Penn community” declared that the University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education is a “dogshit and elitist institution” and that they “hire and admit morons.” As to be expected in damage control, Penn administrators immediately labeled the email as fraudulent. I got a laugh out of it.… Read More »
[October 30, 2025] An American tradition, one that has historically distinguished the citizens of the United States from their European ancestors, is questioning their leadership. It is not a sign of disrespect but rather a sign of healthy debate about right versus wrong. Political, military, and business leaders are scrutinized for their decisions and personal conduct. I suggest… Read More »
[October 26, 2025] Yesterday, I received a call from radio host Joe Griffies, who will have on his show today a representative of The Arlington Ladies. These are ladies (and one gentleman) who volunteer at Arlington National Cemetery to be present at every funeral without exception. Volunteerism in America is a strong tradition, and America leads the world… Read More »