Military Rules of Conduct for Civilians

You've heard about the many MILITARY RULES of conduct;

Now we have some EASY TO FOLLOW CIVILIAN RULES as well:

We know that the current state of affairs in Canada have many civilians up in arms politically and rightfully concerned about our troops. For those of you who can't join the military at this time, you can still lend a hand here at home. The following are a few of the areas where your assistance would be appreciated:

(1) The next time you see an adult talking, (or wearing a hat), during the playing of the National Anthem - - - kick their ass.

(2) When you witness, firsthand, someone burning the flag or bad-mouthing our troops in protest - - - kick their ass.

(3) Regardless of the rank they held while they served, pay the highest amount of respect to all veterans. If you see anyone doing otherwise, quietly pull them aside and explain how these veterans fought for the very freedom they bask in every day. Enlighten them on the many sacrifices these veterans made to make Canada great. Then hold them down while a disabled veteran kicks their ass.

(4) (GUYS) If you were never in the military, DO NOT pretend that you were. Wearing camouflage combats and telling others that you used to be "Special Forces," and collecting GI Joe memorabilia, might have been okay when you were seven years old. Now, it will only make you look stupid and get your ass kicked.

(5) Next time you come across an Air Force member, do not ask them, "Do you fly a jet?" Not everyone in the Air Force is a pilot. Such ignorance deserves an ass-kicking (children are exempt).

(6) If you witness someone calling the Canadian Coast Guard 'non-military,' inform them of their mistake - - - and kick their ass.

(7) Next time the Canadian flag goes by during a parade, get on your damn feet and pay homage. Quietly thank the military member or veteran lucky enough to be carrying her. Of course, failure to do either of those could earn you a severe ass-kicking.

(8) Don't try to discuss politics with a military member or a veteran. We are all Canadian, (well, hopefully most), and we all bleed the same, regardless of our party affiliation. Our Chain of Command is to include our Commander. The Prime Minister, (for those who didn't know), is our Commander regardless of political party. We have no inside track on what happens inside those big important buildings where all those MPs meet. All we know is that when those civilian> representatives screw up the situation, they call upon the military to go straighten it out and some of them die. If you keep asking the same stupid questions repeatedly, you should get your ass kicked.

(9) 'Your mama wears army boots' never made sense to me, so stop saying it. If she did, she would most likely be a vet and therefore could kick YOUR ass!!!

(10) Bin Laden and the Taliban are not Communists, so stop saying, 'Let's go kill those Commies'. And stop asking returning soldiers where HE is!!! Crystal balls are not standard issue in the military. That reminds me - - if you see anyone calling those damn psychic phone numbers, let me know, so I can go kick their ass.

(11) 'flyboy' (Air Force), 'grunt' (Army), 'harry bag' (Navy) etc., are terms of endearment we use describing each other. Unless you are a service member or vet, you have not earned the right to use them. That could get your ass kicked.

(12) Last, but not least, whether or not you become a member of the military, support our troops and their families. Every Thanksgiving and religious holiday that you enjoy with family and friends, please remember that there are literally thousands of troops far from home wishing they could be with their families. Thank God for our military and the sacrifices they make every day. Without them, our country would get its ass kicked.

It is the soldier, not the reporter,

who has given us the freedom of the press.

It is the soldier, not the poet,

who has given us the freedom of speech.

It is the soldier, not the campus organizer,

who gives us the freedom to demonstrate.

It is the soldier who salutes the flag,

who serves beneath the flag,

and whose coffin is draped by the flag,

who has given the protester the right to burn the flag.

A CHANGE IN APPROACH

It has taken some time to get this blog up an running due to other various commitments and achieveing a proper schedule may take some time still. Especially, in comparison to the stiff competition that is already present in the bogging community such as the Torch (#1 Military Blog of 2007), and the Military Mom at Home (#2) both very excellent and informative sites with two great perspectives. A revision of this site's approach is in order.

After reviewing these other sites we believe that if we follow suit it would only be echoing what they have already said so eloquently and worked so hard to achieve. Therefore, here we intend to pursue a some what different approach. Certain items will still be posted that are believed important enough to be posted again but the majority of the focus here will be on stories and other various literary pieces, experiences, and even a joke or two from time to time.

Any suggestions will be greatly welcome

Daniel Adams Butterfield - Composer of Taps

I had previously recieved a story about the bugle call "Taps", which I posted and have now discovered to be incorrect. I have recently removed it on the advice of a reader. The real story - according to Wikipedia - is quoted below. For more of the story go to - ttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_Butterfield

"While the Union Army recuperated at Harrison's Landing, Virginia, from its Seven Days of retreating, Butterfield experimented with bugle calls and is credited with the composition of Taps, probably the most famous bugle call ever written. He wrote Taps to replace the customary firing of three rifle volleys at the end of burials during battle. Taps also replaced Tattoo, the French bugle call to signal "lights out". Butterfield's bugler, Oliver W. Norton of the 83rd Pennsylvania Volunteers was the first to sound the new call. Within months, Taps was sounded by buglers in both the Union and Confederate armies."

Thanks from War Zone to the reader who discovered the true story behind the bugle call.

QW: Space & Time

"Strategy is the art of making use of time and space. I am less concerned about the later than the former. Space we can recover, lost time never."

-Napoleon Boneparte

QW: An Army Cannot Fight Unless...

"An Army cannot preserve good order unless its soldiers have meat in their bellies, coats on their backs and shoes on their feet."

- The Duke of Marlborough, 1703

THATS THE WAY IT IS: The Experiment of 10 Monkies

This saying is a typical statement heard in the military in response to someone questioning an obviously awkward or stupid way of doing things. Here is another way of looking at this –

“Experiment with 10 Monkeys”

Some scientists take 10 monkeys and place them in a room. This room has metal grated floor and on one side there are three wooden steps leading to fountain for drinking water. Eventually a monkey walks up the stairs to get a drink of water. Once he leaves the metal floor and begins up the wooden steps the scientists send electricity through the metal grate that the remaining monkeys are lounging around on. Of course they all freak out at the hair-raising sensation. This continues each time a monkey ventures up the stairs to get a drink of water. Ultimately, the monkeys realize that if one of them tries to get a drink the remainder are electrocuted. So, they are to physically assault any monkey whom tries to drink.

Now that the monkeys are getting beaten when they try to drink, they stop trying. At this point the scientists take three of the monkeys out of the cage and replace them with three new ones. Once again when the new monkeys – not knowing what will happen to the others – try to get a drink and before they get anywhere near the stairs they are beaten by the other monkeys. Since, the others stopped the new monkeys from getting near the water they are not electrocuted. This happens several times until they eventually give up to avoid being beaten.

Once more the scientists remove three more of the original monkeys and the same result occurs, even the first set of replacement monkeys join in on the beatings even though they don't know why, having never experience the electrocution. The new monkeys are assaulted on attempting to get water. Finally, the remaining four monkeys are replaced with new ones with the same outcome.

At last, now that there are no original monkeys remaining the scientists remove 3 more monkeys and replace them with three new ones who sooner or later attempt to get a drink but are beaten by all the others.

The results: Of the original 10 monkeys who were electrocuted when one of them attempted to get a drink none remained. Each of the new groups who were in turn beaten for trying to get water were unaware of the reasons for their assault. But in turn would join in on the beatings when other new members would attempt to get water. Finally, with no original monkeys left and no knowledge of why the beatings occured, the monkeys would still beat any monkey who tried to get to the water. Thus, their reason for beating each other for trying to get water was “that’s the way it was” or is. So next time someone gives you this response, “that’s the way it is”, recite to them this story and hopefully they will get how stupid their remark is or maybe they just like getting beaten for no reason what so ever.

*Note: there were no monkeys harmed in the writing of the story.

YOU & THE SOLDIER

You stay up for 16 hours,

He stays up for days on end.

You take a warm shower to help you wake up.

He goes days or weeks without running water.

You complain of a 'headache', and call in sick.

He gets shot at as others are hit, and keeps moving forward.

You put on your anti war/don't support the troops shirt, and go meet up with your friends.

He still fights for your right to wear that shirt.

You make sure you're cell phone is in your pocket.

He clutches the cross hanging on his chain next to his dog tags.

You talk trash about your 'buddies' that aren't with you.

He knows he may not see some of his buddies again.

You walk down the beach, staring at all the pretty girls.

He patrols the streets, searching for insurgents and terrorists.

You complain about how hot it is.

He wears his heavy gear, not daring to take off his helmet to wipe his brow.

You go out to lunch, and complain because the restaurant got your order wrong.

He doesn't get to eat today.

Your maid makes your bed and washes your clothes.

He wears the same things for weeks, but makes sure his weapons are clean.

You go to the mall and get your hair redone.

He doesn't have time to brush his teeth today.

You're angry because your class ran 5 minutes over.

He's told he will be held over an extra 2 months.

You call your girlfriend and set a date for tonight.

He waits for the mail to see if there is a letter from home.

You hug and kiss your girlfriend, like you do everyday.

He holds his letter close and smells his love's perfume.

You roll your eyes as a baby cries.

He gets a letter with pictures of his new child, and wonders if they'll ever meet.

You criticize your government, and say that war never solves anything.

He sees the innocent tortured and killed by their own people and remembers why he is fighting.

You hear the jokes about the war, and make fun of men like him.

He hears the gunfire, bombs and screams of the wounded.

You see only what the media wants you to see.

He sees the broken bodies lying around him.

You are asked to go to the store by your parents. You don't.

He does exactly what he is told even if it puts his life in danger.

You stay at home and watch TV.

He takes whatever time he is given to call, write home, sleep, and eat.

You crawl into your soft bed, with down pillows, and get comfortable.

He tries to sleep but gets woken by mortars and helicopters all night long.

TO ALL THE CANADIAN SOLDIERS

I SAID A PRAYER FOR YOU TODAY,

KNOW GOD MUST HAVE HEARDI FELT THE ANSWER IN MY HEART,

HE SPOKE NO WORD.

I DIDN'T ASK FOR WEALTH OR FAME I KNEW YOU WOULDN'T MIND.

I ASKED HIM TO SEND TREASURES OF FAR MORE LASTING KIND.

I ASKED THAT HE BE NEAR YOU AT THE START OF EACH NEW DAY

TO GRANT YOU HEALTH AND BLESSINGS,
AND FRIENDS TO SHARE YOUR WAY.
I ASKED FOR HAPPINESS FOR YOU,
BUT IT WAS FOR HIS LOVING CARE I PRAYER FOR MOST OF ALL...
THANK YOU TO ALL SOLDIERS


by MARINA SNOW

THE FALLEN SOLDIER

Fallen Soldier All Alone

Fallen Soldier Far From Home.

Trickling Down His Face A Tear,

Forgetting How It Feels To Fear

Death And All It's Fate And Glory.

Now It's Here, No Need To Worry.

Fallen Soldier All Alone

Fallen Soldier Far From Home

He's One Of Those They'll All Forget;

The Life He Lived, The Goals He Set,

The Ones He Loved, The Ones Who Wait

To See His Nearly Forgotten Face.

Fallen Soldier All Alone

Fallen Soldier Far From Home

Now Breathing's Just A Waste Of Breath

And Living's Just A Waste Of Death

As He Searches For A New Address;

A Brand New Home Free Of Loneliness.

Fallen Soldier All Alone

Fallen Soldier Far From Home

Lying Motionless On The Ground,

The Battle Raging All Around.

For Now He Is Not All Alone.

This Fallen Soldier Is Welcomed Home.

THE SELKIRK GRACE

Some have meat and cannot eat.

Some cannot eat that want it,

But we have meat and we can eat.

So, let the Lord be thankit.



- Robbie Burns Day -

A PRAYER TO COME HOME

Dear God,

Protect our services men and women,

Who fight for the freedom of everyone.

Color, race or religion... freedom for all. Canadian, American & British soldiers. Help them Lord, keep them safe and let them come home to there families soon.

In the name of Jesus...Peace.

Amen

QW: Resupplies

"Nine times of ten an army has been destroyed because its supply lines have been severed"

- Gen Douglas MacArthur,

August 1950 to the Joint Chiefs of Staff

QW: The Nessesity for Support

"Without supplies neither a general nor a soldier is good for anything."

- Clearchus,

401 BC, Spartan officer,

celebrated as the leader of the Ten Thousand

A SOLDIER'S PRAYER

Almighty God,

Help me remain true to my ideals

During my service to my country.

Help me to be what is best in Canada,

A vast and wonderful land.

May I realize that I represent

What our country stands for.

My uniform is a symbol of duty and

Valour both in peace and in war.

I take up arms to defend what all

Canadians hold dear: life, dignity, and respect.

Grant me the strength to live

According to the courage of my

Convictions and the resolve to

Endure whatever dangers threaten.

With you at my side I fear no evil.

I resist every enemy secure in the

Knowledge that you hold me safe in the

Palm of your hand.

Amen

QW: Knowing Yourself

"Hence the saying:

If you know the enemy and know yourself,

you need not fear the result of a hundred battles.

If you know yourself but not the enemy,

for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat.

If you know neither the enemy nor yourself,

you will succumb in every battle."

- Sun Tzu

CHRISTMAS DUTY

The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,

I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.

My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,

My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.

Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,

Transforming the yard to a winter delight.

The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,

Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.

My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,

Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.

In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,

So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.

The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,

But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.

Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know,

Then the sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.

My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,

And I crept to the door just to see who was near.

Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,

A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.

A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,

Perhaps Canadian, huddled here in the cold.

Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,
Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.
"What are you doing?" I asked without fear,
"Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!
Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,
You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!

"For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,
Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts.
To the window that danced with a warm fire's light
Then he sighed and he said,
"Its really all right, I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night."
"It's my duty to stand at the front of the line,
That separates you from the darkest of times.
No one had to ask or beg or implore me,
I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.

My Gramps died at 'Dieppe on a day in December,
"Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers.
"My dad stood his watch in that Korean Land',
And now it is my turn and so, here I am.
I've not seen my own son in more than a while,
But my wife sends me pictures,
he's sure got her smile.


Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,
Something red and, white, ... a Canadian flag.
"I can live through the cold and the being alone,
Away from my family, my house and my home.
I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,
I can sleep in a trench with little to eat.
I can carry the weight of killing another,
Or lay down my life with my sister and brother.
Who stand at the front against any and all,
To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall."

"So go back inside," he said, "harbour no fright,
Your family is waiting and I'll be all right."


"But isn't there something I can do, at the least,
"Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?

"It seems all too little for all that you've done,
For being away from your wife and your son."

Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,
"Just tell us you love us, and never forget.
To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone,
To stand your own watch, no matter how long.
For when we come home, either standing or dead,
To know you remember we fought and we bled.
Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,
That we mattered to you as you mattered to us."

- Unknown Author -

ALL SECURE: THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS

The Night Before Christmas

T'was the night before Christmas,

He lived all alone,

In a one bedroom house,

Made of plaster and stone.

I had come down the chimney,

With presents to give,

And to see just who,

In this home did live.

I looked all about,

A strange sight I did see,

No tinsel, no presents,

Not even a tree.

No stocking by the mantle,

Just boots filled with sand,

On the wall hung pictures,

Of far distant lands.

With medals and badges,

Awards of all kinds,

A sober thought,

Came through my mind.

For this house was different,

It was dark and dreary,

I found the home of a soldier,

Once I could see clearly.

The soldier lay sleeping,

Silent, alone, Curled up on the floor,

In this one bedroom home.

The face was so gentle,

The room in such disorder,

Not how I pictured,

A Canadian soldier.

Was this the hero,

Of whom I'd just read?,

Curled up on a poncho,

The floor for a bed?

I realized the families,

That I saw this night,

Owed their lives to these soldiers,

Who were willing to fight.

Soon round the world,

The children would play,

And grownups would celebrate,

A bright Christmas Day.

They all enjoyed freedom,

Each month of the year,

Because of the soldiers,

Like the one lying here.

I couldn't help wonder,

How many lay alone,

On a cold Christmas Eve,

In a land far from home.

The very thought brought

A tear to my eye,

I dropped to my knees,

And started to cry.

The soldier awakened,

And I heard a rough voice,

'Santa, don't cry.

This life is my choice.

I fight for freedom,

I don't ask for more,

My life is my God,

My country, my corps.

'The soldier rolled over,

And drifted to sleep,

I couldn't control it,

I continued to weep.

I kept watch for hours,

So silent and still,

And we both shivered,

From the cold night's chill.

I didn't want to leave,

On that cold, dark night,

This guardian of honor,

So willing to fight.

Then the soldier rolled over,

With a voice, soft and pure,

Whispered,

'Carry on Santa,

It's Christmas Day, all is secure.'

One look at my watch,

And I knew he was right,

'Merry Christmas my friend,

And to all a good night.'

QW: Optamism

"All right, they're on our left,

they're on our right, they're in front of us,

they're behind us...they can't get away this time."

- Lt Gen Lewis B. Puller, USMC

QW: Assault vs Leadership

"You do not lead by hitting people over the head - that's assault, not leadership."

- Dwight D. Eisenhower

QW: Task Charge

"When placed in command - take charge."

- Norman Schwarzkopf