Rescue of Journalist Stephen Farrell by NATO Special Forces On 9/9/09

That this rescue mission was even necessary angers me. These troops were not sent into this war zone so that they could protect journalists who choose to go into a hostile area alongside the military forces. Troops are sent there to fight a war on terrorism. Journalists choose to accompany them to report the events of these conflicts, as they happen. They should never BECOME the story, and they should not knowingly endanger the lives of their translators, coalition troops, or innocent civilians.

When this story is told, the same effort must be given to the many ‘angles’ of this event: The poor judgment of a journalist hungry for a story; the heroism of those troops who risked their lives and rescued him; the horrific actions of the Taliban kidnappers and murderers; the sacrifice of human life -- all for a story that was probably intended to undermine the very forces who saved his life. All of this must be reported to give a true picture of what really happened. 

You can find a pretty fair assessment of this story here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/sep/11/stephen-farrell-ignored-advice-taliban

Our True Super-Heroes

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September 11

Where were you on September 11, 2001? That question seems to have replaced the question “Where were you when Jack Kennedy was shot” for my generation. I was a tiny girl, and don’t really have a clear recollection of the Kennedy assassination, but my memory of 9/11/01 is as vivid – probably more due to terror – as it was on that day.

This day began as the “International Day of Peace” proclaimed by the United Nations to occur on the opening day of the regular session of the UN General Assembly. (http://www.un.org/events/ref40.htm) A day intended by the United Nations to be devoted to “commemorating and strengthening the ideals of peace both within and among all nations and peoples" went so far to the opposite extreme that it is simply unfathomable.

On the eighth anniversary of the terror attacks on United States soil, I’ve been glued to the television. Although I work at home, these days I rarely turn on the set over my computer until evening. Today, I’ve watched the memorial services, and the “replays” of the event, as seen through many eyes and cameras. Although I can’t seem to switch stations, The History Channel’s “102 minutes that changed America” is particularly difficult to watch, as it shows not only the professional views of the attacks, but also the views from amateur video recordings. More emotions from people in the streets of New York than I’ve ever seen from that day. The video testimony assaults me both mentally and physically, much as the live coverage did on that significant day in our nation’s history.

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I Want My Life Back!

While driving the lengthy trip home from my doctor’s office yesterday after my regular follow-up visit, I was trying to sort my emotions related to our discussion. My doc is “real people” … a man who understands that I need him to help enable me to do as much as I can without hurting myself. We really talk, and he really listens. He takes good care of me ... when I follow orders.

One never dreams, when climbing into a vehicle as a passenger, that it could be a life-altering experience. Our mind is on where we want to go, and how to get there. I never thought about how a slight movement of the steering wheel could cause a vehicle to hit the edge of the pavement wrong and tumble over a mountainside. But, it happened. I sustained nerve damage to my neck and arms, and I lost the use of my right arm and hand. Surgery restored most of the function to my right hand … most of the time … but I will always have severe nerve pain.

My doctor just told me that I will be having tests next week to confirm or rule out yet another medical issue. The trauma from that accident ten years ago set off a chain of progressive medical conditions that I still struggle to manage, and I don’t think I am ready to cope with another. I seriously never want to hear another diagnosis. On the way home I was thinking, “I just want my life back.”

The day exhausted me, so I lay down to try and rest. I just couldn’t get my mind off the doctor visit, and couldn’t rest. It was then that I realized I was feeling more than a little bit sorry for myself!

My mind went to our military personnel who are physically injured or psychologically traumatized while serving our Country – for ME – and I was embarrassed by my earlier thoughts. I can only imagine how much each of those service members wants his or her life back. Some will recover completely, and hopefully get that life back. Most will never be quite the same, and many more will have their lives changed in ways that their present doesn’t even resemble their former lives. As a result, some will experience far worse than I have or will.

The memory is still fresh of how I was so scared when I ‘came to’ and couldn’t feel my hand. How relieved I felt when the paramedics arrived on the scene. How frightening it was to be strapped to a board with a brace around my neck to immobilize it. This experience is one of the reasons that I became involved in Operation: Quiet Comfort. It is important to me that I help support and comfort our injured at their first stop for medical care.

While I can’t guarantee that I won’t indulge in another bout of self-pity, I am certain that my thoughts will always return to my concern for those who are putting it all on the line for me. And I will try to endure whatever comes with more grace than I did yesterday.

Please join us in demonstrating that a grateful Nation TRULY thanks our wounded warriors and the amazing medical professionals who care for them. www.operationquietcomfort.com

What is OQC? -- Operation: Quiet Comfort

Someone asked me that question today, and he deserved a better answer than the 140 characters Twitter allowed me to provide. Here is, a better – at least a much longer -- answer. Bear with me…this is lengthy. I've been involved with Operation: Quiet Comfort since the fall of 2004. This organization has my heart, and there is a lot of heart within OQC. A short answer just doesn’t suffice.

Operation: Quiet Comfort (OQC) is a national benefit organization established in July 2004 with an IRS-approved 501(C)3 designation effective December 5, 2005.

OQC exists solely for the purpose of honoring and comforting America's military men and women who become sick and injured while serving in harm's way. OQC also provides support to the amazing medical professionals who care for these heroes. We do not try to define wounded or specify who should receive our gifts. We let the Chaplains, Company Commanders or Medics (whoever serves as our unit contact) determine who will most benefit from comfort from home.

We are very much aware of the conditions under which these troops are serving. Every package is shipped from our Headquarters in LaSalle, Michigan. Contact and Unit information is never shared with the public, or within the support group. We have determined that this is the best way to do our part to ensure that OPSEC is upheld. Over the course of a deployment, we get to know these contacts long-distance, and they remain always in our hearts. We do our best to protect them, and ensure that privacy is maintained for our contacts, their mission, their patients and their families.

We support 65 - 90 medical units at any given time (some comprised of single medics in small units. A lot of thought goes into the contents of every package sent by OQC. We do not send "stuff" hoping that it will be welcomed. These are -- after all -- gifts to those we hold in the highest esteem. Most importantly, every package is fairly uniform, and contains only items that have been offered to -- and approved by -- our contact at a medical unit. The unit contact and/or medical team knows what is in the box, and can hurriedly grab what is needed.

Typically, service members arrive for medical care without any of their belongings, and the clothing they were wearing is usually cut off to assess their injuries. These troops don't have someone who can "make a run" to pick up their grooming kit, clothing and some comfort items the way we do at home.

We send kits containing hygiene and grooming items so troops can freshen up; new underwear kits...because we can't stand the thought of wounded heroes in paper clothing; and CD Players with CDs because music is very good medicine. When able, we also send pajamas, shorts, and other comfortable clothing for them to wear while recuperating. We send sweats and/or adaptive clothing along with 3” x 5” travel quilts to warm troops on their flight to a higher level of care. These small quilts are also used when needed blood platelet donations and/or transfusions are made hero to hero.

We send other needed comfort items: flip flops...so that troops can get their feet out of hot boots for a bit and reduce trauma to their feet during down time; on-the-go healthy snacks so troops can have something to eat in their pocket while out on a mission; cool comfort neck ties to help in the 120° heat; coffee makers, *good* coffee and fixin’s; drink mix singles; bread machines, breadboards, electric knives, bread mixes and fixin’s; hygienic pillows and linens; pocket flags; and we take care of our females in theater, as well.

Of all the things we send, cards and letters are the “Number One” best received item, and they go in every single box. If you ever considered writing to the troops, get the paper and pen out now, and do it. Just a note card with a message about life in your town will do the trick. Leave out the politics, religion and your views on the war. They want to hear thanks and support from home. If you don’t know a personal contact to provide an address, you can find many at AnySoldier.com.

A very close favorite are our Four Freedoms Gratitude Quilts…containing hand-written messages of thanks and well-wishes on 6 inch denim squares cut from our beloved blue jeans (never any new bolt-cut denim!). These quilt blocks are signed by grateful Americans from all across the United States at events held or attended by group members.

The center artwork in these quilts is based on the Four Freedoms expressed in Franklin D. Roosevelt's address to the 77th Congress on January 6, 1941. In this speech he speaks about these Four Freedoms:

Freedom of Speech and Expression
Freedom of Worship
Freedom from Want
Freedom from Fear

Operation: Quiet Comfort was established because our Founder, Lori Pate, and her family, had been doing all they could for our wounded troops overseas, and came to the conclusion that they simply couldn't do as much as they wanted to do as a single family. So a Yahoo! Group was established to find others with the same desires. We began as a handful of strangers, and over five years have morphed into a group of 1,000 supporters who do what we can, when we can. Although she still is the most hands-on member of the group, Lori will be the first to tell anyone that “it’s not about Lori” and “this is not the Lori show”. It’s all about the troops we serve.

Operation: Quiet Comfort provides a transparency that I have never seen in any other non-profit or charitable organization…those in which I’ve been involved nor those I’ve researched, considering my involvement. Every donation is documented in 'Mail Call', and every shipment is detailed (including postage costs) so that donors can see exactly where every dollar is spent. We share xxx'd out messages from our contacts on the Yahoo! Group site, so that we can provide our supporters a peek into the lives of those we serve. We are proud to have several unit contacts as members of our group. None of the donations received through the website or by mail are spent on employees. Our volunteer forces provide all of the labor. Our Board of Directors is 100% volunteer.

There are many non-profit, charitable organizations that provide support to our troops. Most do a very good job within their chosen niche of support. Be sure to do your due diligence before supporting ANY charity…for the troops or at home. I’ve been shocked to find that some use up to 50% of donations on overhead, including ataff and advertising.

I can confidently say that Operation: Quiet Comfort is the very best at supporting our wounded on the front lines of the fight against terror, and we streamline every effort to squeeze every penny into a nickel. Much volunteer time is spent in finding the best, most economical resources for quality items. More than 95% of incoming donations go to “direct support” of the troops.

You can find more information at: www.operationquietcomfort.com -- click through to read the newsletter. There is also a link if you would like to join our Yahoo! Group and become involved in our projects.

NOTE: This is not an official communication of Operation: Quiet Comfort.

Thanks for reading.

Dixie

Twitter #MilitaryMon aka Military Monday

Last week, I participated in a sort of competition on Twitter to help honor and raise awareness for our troops. I confess that I'm generally a competitive person, and didn't think twice about signing up...even before any rules were written for the #militarymon event. The various 3-member team members teased and cajoled all week leading up to this marathon-type event. We wanted to help the #militarymon hashtag "trend" on Twitter...all in good fun, as any competition should be.

Our goal was to put enough messages out with the #militarymon tag to trend the hashtag on Twitter, and possibly have people click through and read the messages we tweeted. We didn't send out goofy messages...no undignified craziness to attract attention. There was no bickering or backbiting between opposing team members, or was there lack of support for one another's teams. Our messages were positive and informative. Most participants supported one another by "re-tweeting" opposing teams. After all, our goal was the same...so in that spirit we were really all part of the same team.

During this time, I shed tears for those troops in harms way, and their families who also serve at home. I shed tears for those service members we lost last week...whose lives were overlooked by the mainstream media who instead chose to cover the death of a single celebrity over and over and over again.

I felt the pain of those who have lost family members, and the pain of those who were waiting for any sort of word from their loved one serving in battle zones. I shed tears for those who were injured during the time of our competition. The more I cried, the harder I worked to get those folks recognized and honored.

By the time this competition was finished, I was emotionally and physically exhausted. But even then, I knew that it couldn't possibly compare to the exhaustion of our service members who are sleeping with one eye open...never knowing when they might need to jump up and be at the ready...like the soldier who made the news for quickly assuming his post in his pink boxers.

I'm very proud to have participated in this event, although it didn't seem to be recognized by Twitter.My prayer is that we gain ground every week with #militarymon...that we engage new members every week, and eventually take over Twitter's Mondays with support for our troops.

Frightening News from The Front

I was made privy to part of a chaplain's letter to Operation: Quiet Comfort. I want to share it with you. At the risk of seeming covert, I cannot share with you the particulars -- for the safety of those involved, and per OPSEC regulations. I do hope that this frightens you, the way it frightens me.

"...We stayed three days and caught a flight to XXXX Air Field again to visit soldiers we have located there. I have yet to fly into or out of XXXX where the beauties of the mountains don't cause me to stop and thank God for His wondrous creation. From my rough calculations some of the peaks exceeded 20,000 feet above sea level and are still snow capped. It was the second evening there, I had taken a run down Disney Drive, named after a fallen soldier, and had returned and headed to the gym to do some sit-ups and lift a little when I noticed the attendant listening to a message come over his two way radio and then walked around telling all of us the gym was closed and we have to leave!

Wow I thought until I caught on what was happening, whenever the remains of our soldiers are taken to the airfield for the final flight home ALL non-essential activities cease an announcement is made over the FOBs public address system as to the time of the Fallen Warrior ceremony and soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen and civilians begin to line Disney Drive. I quickly changed into my uniform and made my way to the files of warriors lining the road to pay our last respect for these young warriors who had performed the duties asked of them, even unto death. Even now I am surprised at the tears that stream down my face, I didn't know who were in the four containers that came by me that evening but I know entire families back home are grieving these losses. The motorcade was gone and on the flight line, we dropped our salutes and the crowd that had gathered without a sound dissipated as it had formed.

...Something that is important to remember and I bring this up because of a conversation a soldier shared with me concerning folks back home. We are in a war zone and NEVER get a day off, the Taliban and Anti Afghan Forces don't take breaks, even on the Islamic Holy Day, Friday, they attempt to kill our soldiers. Yes we do get down time, but every soldier has their weapon on their person except when they shower. When we are in the dining facility, weapons are there, when I hold church, weapons are there, when these guys and gals go to sleep, their weapons are right there. The enemy we are fighting will do anything they can to make us & US look bad, to include using the non-radical Moslems as shields and even as additional battle damage. Killing innocent men, women and children and say we did it, we see it, experience it and clean up after it. Don't be deceived.

OK enough of that, we are back at XXXX and waiting to go out again. The weather has changed again and we've been having thunderstorms forming in the afternoons and sometimes we actually get rain. I don't think it rained at all here on XXX during the month of May and the temperature was in the mid 80s during the day. The temperature right now is in the 50s and I think that will be the high for the day, it is 1:30 PM so it should be warmer, but it is still 56 degrees with dark, mean looking clouds over head, thunder rumbling and light showers.

Peace be with you.
Love,
XXXX"

This is a stark reality of life in the battle zone...one we would choose to make ourselves blind to, if possible. Those of us who choose to support these troops at times need a true awakening.

Support is definitely a verb -- an action, not a thought. Slapping a yellow ribbon magnet on our car is not support. Putting work and money into truly making a difference is what is needed right now.

I choose to support Operation: Quiet Comfort. www.operationquietcomfort.com. Read the letters from the front, and determine for yourselves whether we are making a difference for those wounded troops. We don't define "wounded", as there are so many walking wounded -- emotionally wounded -- with their boots still on the ground. We let our Unit Contacts (chaplains; medics; commanders) determine who needs the comfort we send.

Although Operation: Quiet Comfort is a 501(c)3 national support organization, our work is carried out through a Yahoo Group to enable free interaction between our supporters. You can find this WORKING group at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/operationquietcomfort/. Thanks so much for your consideration of supporting this organization.

Frustrated and Confused

I feel a viral, sickening sense of complacency toward the needs of our American troops…particularly our wounded warriors who have given so much--for us. I don’t know whether it is only within my group of acquaintences...or if it is infecting all Americans at home. Are we too far from the fighting to truly care? Has it become “old hat” to read news of the wounded or killed in action…suicide bombers…the latest Taliban actions…Pakistan refugees…Al Qaeda news… Have we become numb to this news?

I see all these yellow ribbon magnets on the backs of vehicles...do those folks truly understand what the ribbon represents? Do they believe that slapping that magnet on the car is really supporting the troops?

I know that some folks are worn and weary from trying to do so very much…working so hard…giving time…losing sleep…and making personal sacrifices to provide meaningful support for our heroes fighting on behalf of me...you...our Country.

Still...there are far more of those who can’t give up a manicure, a night at the movies or bowling or Facebook time to make some genuine effort on behalf of our wounded troops on the front lines of these conflicts.

Have you read the news about how difficult the jobs our military medical staff have…how hard it is for them to take the broken bodies of our troops and put them back together? And how those troops then rejoin their units to fight another day? How many can’t be helped enough on the front lines and are evacuated to other facilities where they can hopefully be restored? Can you just imagine their jobs? Can you imagine the indignity of having no underwear while being treated because all of your clothing was cut off to assess your wounds?

Have you read the news of the struggles these soldiers face when they arrive back in America and try to rebuild their lives with artificial limbs, in wheelchairs, with scars that make them barely recognizable to even their families? Or those who arrive home physically ‘whole’, but so traumatized by living in a battle zone that the sound of a car door slamming next door makes them hit the floor? How difficult it is to readjust to lives at home that have gone on without them?

Or is it too hard to read, so you just skip those stories?

Morale can win or lose a war. Morale is significant to the number of injuries sustained, and troops killed. We are doing our very best to support these troops so that they know the love and comfort of a very grateful nation. We want their morale to be as high as the morale in the World Wars. We want so badly to do it RIGHT this time for our troops…disregarding any political, ideological or religious views of the war or other conflicts that the United States may be involved in. These folks committed to doing their all for our nation. They are doing us proud, and they deserve the same in return.

I am asking myself whether America is willing to make some real, tangible effort on behalf of our troops.