Iraq War Pre-Surge: my View [January 16, 2026] In a few months, it will be twenty years since I arrived for my second combat tour, part of the Iraq War (2003-2011). Such a time past gives me time to reflect, and despite some details being lost to old memories, I think I can put the war in a… Read More »
[January 14, 2026] I never thought of “owning” a dog as a philosophy of life, yet we have given it some thought. Whether we realize it or not, owning a dog requires something special. Have you ever looked into a dog’s eyes and asked yourself, “What is it that I see?” Most folks will say they see loyalty,… 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 19, 2025] It’s been a few weeks since I posted a “Sunday Morning in Pictures” entry, so here it is. I get more views on these Sunday posts than on any other type. Does that tell us something about the people who “read” this blog? Insert smiley face here. Typically, my pictures include dogs, cats, and humorous… Read More »
[September 22, 2025] It will come as a surprise to many, but this is National Dog Week. I’m okay with that because I love dogs; at least I love most of them. They’re loyal and exist to please. Sometimes I think this is God’s reward for humanity. This is the first time that I’ve recognized National Dog Week… Read More »
[July 16, 2025] Before departure, I wanted to ensure my small team understood the ramifications of going to war and what we would be up against. There would be no going back. This was my speech before battle. The speech, which lasted only two minutes, was printed in “Our Longest Year in Iraq.” The day before we flew… Read More »
[June 19, 2025] For some reason, I seemed to have a bunch of time on my hands as a little kid. That meant my friends and I were also given opportunities to get into trouble, often by starting fistfights with each other. Preceding any fight, however, there was the obligatory taunting: sticking your tongue out, name-calling, “you hit… Read More »
[June 1, 2025] On Sunday afternoon, July 9, 2006, a small group of Soldiers in civilian dress waited at the airport in El Paso, Texas, for pickup. Arriving at Ft. Bliss, we were dropped off at our barracks, found a bunk, dropped our travel gear, and reported to Building 500A for ACU uniform fitting. After a formation in… Read More »
[May 27, 2025] As a young Army Captain, I worked with some great people in my Infantry Company. But one of my Sergeants was a holdover from when our standards were not as high as they should have been. So, it wasn’t easy to slot him in the right job. Unfortunately, my Battalion Commander – a tough disciplinarian… Read More »
[May 26, 2025] Thank you General Satterfield for once again allowing me to write about the importance of Memorial Day. General, let me start off by saying without Memorial day we have no country. Our great pastures of God, we call Veterans cemeteries are full of heroes that died in war or coming home from war from mental… Read More »