There is nothing I can say that will trump what they are saying by this action:

More than 1,100 servicemembers stationed in Iraq will celebrate the nation’s birthday tomorrow by re-enlisting, the senior enlisted leader for Multinational Force Iraq said today.
Army Command Sgt. Maj. Marvin L. Hill said 1,157 soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines will re-enlist at the Al Faw Palace at Camp Victory, in Baghdad. This may be the largest re-enlistment ceremony since the all-volunteer force began in 1973, Hill said via phone from Baghdad.

This is becoming an annual blockbuster event for the command. Last year, 588 servicemembers re-enlisted.

“We are extremely proud of the accomplishments we have made in security on the ground as well as proud of all of our great warriors for the work they are doing since they arrived in theater,” Hill said. “We recognize the sacrifices they make and the sacrifices their families and communities make as they serve in Iraq.”

These servicemembers know the cost of war and they are still re-enlisting, Hill said. Some serve in “the most austere conditions — meaning they are in patrol bases and combat outposts,” he noted. Some of the re-enlisting servicemembers are in places where the troops “hot-bunk it” — that is, they take turns using limited sleeping space — and burn human waste because they lack plumbing. Others are based in more comfortable surroundings.

The vast majority of the servicemembers tell Hill and others that they are re-enlisting because “they are doing what they joined the military to do,” he said.

For a grateful nation, I say thank you.

What they have sacrificed for America cannot be repaid:

Nine Soldiers received the Purple Heart in a ceremony held at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Friday.

The Soldiers represented nine different states with one common bond of uncommon valor - sacrifice for the nation, according to Lt. Gen. David H. Huntoon, Jr., director of the Army Staff, who awarded the Soldiers with their medals.

The Purple Heart is awarded to servicemembers wounded or killed in any action against an enemy of the United States or as a result of an act of any such enemy or opposing armed forces.

“I am truly honored to be here with you because you have taken up the call against terrorists and tyrants who want to destroy our way of life,” said Huntoon. “Thank you for your service-thank you to the families as well…you have also served your nation.”

The names of the soldiers are:

• Sgt. Francis Collins, III
• Pfc. David A. Knapp
• Capt. Andrew Lynch
• Pfc. Darrell Reid
• Capt. Robert Hinchman
• Spc. Hein Tran
• First Lt. David Woodard
• Spc. Anthony Norris
• Pfc. Frank Pierson

For a grateful nation, I say, “Thank you.”

I was always worried about one thing when we pulled into port, especially when we were overseas like, oh, I don’t know…Hong Kong:

About 100 American sailors were left behind in Hong Kong after a Navy aircraft carrier departed early because of weather concerns, an official said Tuesday.

The USS Ronald Reagan and its strike group left a day early Sunday as Typhoon Fengshen headed toward the territory, said Dale Kreisher, spokesman for the U.S. Consulate General.

The carrier attempted to recall all sailors enjoying shore leave in Hong Kong, but some were left behind.

All things told, these guys are lucky in that the ships departure without them was not their fault. But, if the ship is leaving because of a typhoon, these guys are looking for some shelter in a bad way. Hopefully, they brought some way to get money. Here’s to the ship getting these boys back on board. But I doubt they are complaining about a few extra days in port.

Of course, if Gale here was Captain, he’d just go back for them. “NEVER LEAVE A MAN BEHIND!”:

He lied his way into the military at age 14. Three years later, he stowed away on a Navy ship to fight the Japanese in the Pacific conflict. On the black sands of Iwo Jima, he jumped on not one, but two grenades and saved the lives of his fellow Marines. He survived with 250 peices of shrapnel in every organ of his body.

After 26 surgeries, he became the youngest service member since the Civil War to when the Congressional Medal of Honor.

Yesterday, he lost his final battle against cancer. He was 80:

Big for his age and eager to serve, Lucas forged his mother’s signature on an enlistment waiver and joined the Marines at 14. Military censors discovered his age through a letter to his 15-year-old girlfriend.

“They had him driving a truck in Hawaii because his age was discovered and they threatened to send him home,” said D.K. Drum, who wrote Lucas’ story in the 2006 book “Indestructible.”

“He said if they sent him home, he would just join the Army.”

Lucas eventually stowed away aboard a Navy ship headed for combat in the Pacific Ocean. He turned himself in to avoid being listed as a deserter and volunteered to fight, and the officers on board allowed him to reach his goal of fighting the Japanese.

“They did not know his age. He didn’t give it up and they didn’t ask,” Drum said.

Born in Plymouth, N.C., on Feb. 14, 1928, Lucas was a 13-year-old cadet captain in a military academy when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor.

“I would not settle for watching from the sidelines when the United States was in such desperate need of support from its citizens,” Lucas said in “Indestructible.” “Everyone was needed to do his part and I could not do mine by remaining in North Carolina.”

Lucas later joined the paratroopers in the 1960s, just to conquer his fear of heights. On a training jump, both of his parachutes failed to open. D.K. Drum, who wrote Lucas’ story in the 2006 book “Indestructible,” commented, “He was the last one out of the airplane and the first one on the ground.”

Rest in peace, sir. And thank you.

These kids today, I tell ya:

Eighth-grade Evergreen Middle School student Jeff Sahli didn’t realize the meeting in the school theater would highlight his choice to keep the flag waving at the school every day. He thought it was a chance for the eighth-grade class to show off their Ferris wheel projects.

But interim principal Jane Sutera had other ideas.

“Jeff has been raising and lowering the flag outside the school every day - at his request. When the flag became tattered, his parents Cindy and Don Sahli of Evergreen, replaced it,” she said.

Sutera planned a surprise honor presentation May 15 that included a letter from the 138th Fire Brigade, 2nd Artillery battalion in Iraq.

When a member of the brigade heard about Jeff’s dedication, they flew a flag in his honor in Iraq. That flag was folded and mounted and presented to Jeff in a surprise ceremony at his school May 15.

The kids I see at my kids’ little league practice, the ones who sit on the picnic tables cussing, the ones who chat about sexual topics around five year olds, you know, the ones I run out of the park, they couldn’t understand this kid. He gives me hope for America.

We could use a few more like him. Great job to his parents, for raising such a great young man.

Hat Tip: Blackfive

There is an MP in Afghanistan that, while he was in the middle of a firefight, had his cell phone re-dial the last number he called. The last number he dialed was his parent’s house, and their answering machine recorded the following:

From JRPetee:

My brother is an MP over in Afghanistan. He was on post on April 21st. He decided to give us a call, just to let us know how he was doing.
Nobody was home so he got the answering machine, and hung up. Just then, they started getting shot at. Somehow, his phone re-dialed, and we got this on our answering machine. He is okay.

Imagine getting that message. Glad to hear he is all right.

Man, I used to like Stephen King. Now, not so much. What an ignorant thing to say.

Hat Tip: Breitbart via Boortz

Take the time to read this article from the Boston Globe on the attitude of the soldiers at Walter Reed. It is a great look at the men recovering there, but still want to get back to Iraq and Afghanistan:

If you are not a soldier, if you don’t love or know a soldier, you will never in a million years understand this, but many of the soldiers here would give anything to get back to their units.

Many have given an arm and a leg and they’d give the other one to get back.

McDermott talks like it’s only a matter of time.

We were sitting in the cafeteria, having lunch, and I pointed out that his trigger finger was missing.

“What would you shoot with?” I asked.

Sergeant Ceamus McDermott smiled.

And then he flashed his middle finger.

If you’re Special Forces, you can shoot.

Soccer isn’t that big a deal in America, but in Iraq it is. Especially when you consider the Iraq soccer teams recent championship in the Asian Cup. Our soldiers over in Iraq noticed this love of soccer, and took some action:

Soldiers from 3rd Platoon, Company A, 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, gave the local secondary school a boost in pursuit of their favorite sport.

First Lt. Kevin Brown, a native of Indianapolis, along with members of his platoon, presented the headmaster of the Jurf Secondary School a complete set of soccer uniforms; enough to outfit a 16-man team, including a goalie and referee uniform.

This is very important to the image of America in Iraq, and to counter anti-American sentiment. Plus, it is a very generous and giving thing to do:

The platoon left the uniforms with the headmaster and returned the following day to take a team photo.

Enthusiasm beamed on the faces of the young players as they hurriedly started kicking the ball around in the school courtyard, wearing their new uniforms.

The headmaster thanked the Soldiers for the gift and the care they have shown the school.

“These young adults are very important because they are the next generation of Iraq and the future, and because of that we are very willing to help the school out as much as possible,” Brown said.

Good job, soldiers. Keep up the great work.