WHY?

My wife and I try to begin each day with some words of inspiration and guidance.  Our resources come from "Daily Guideposts", a daily inspiration for our Military families, "The Upper Room" and the Bible.  I can tell you this, it's been tremendously helpful to us....in so many ways.  It's calmed the storms, it's given us different attitudes to our struggles, but most importantly, it's provided a sword and armed us for what the World has in store for us, each and every day.  Today, it gave me a story idea.

Author Philip Zakeski provided the motivation in his short story about the word "why" from Daily Guideposts.  Zaleski told about his young son, Andy, who asked the question, "why do we die of old age?"  In reply, father Zaleski responded, "because when you get older and older, you get slower and slower, until finally you stop".  Andy came back again, "why do we taste with our mouth?"  "Because we have taste buds", Philip said.  "Then do we have smell buds in our nose and hear buds in our ears?",  Andy fired back.  Dad countered with, "I don't think so".  Then here it came............."Why not?". asked Andy.   Dad made a quick discussion shift, perhaps knowing that Andy was in his "why" mode.  It appears that when Andy reaches that questioning mode, he has more questions than Dad has answers.   Zaleski's wife suggested that every time these back and forths took place, she was reminded that every child has a "Why" chromosome.

I can remember back to my younger days when I asked the "why" questions to my Dad.  Mine might have been a little different, I think.  More along the lines of..."Son can you go get me the hammer"...."Why?", I would respond.   Looking back, now that I'm a father, those probably aren't the best "why questions".  My dad has been gone for 21 years and I can still hear his response today...."because I told you so".

What have you learned from your "why" questions over the years?  Did you get many of them answered?  Did you move on to another question that you found more perplexing?  Did you feel your questions were an annoyance, or did they provide a mentoring moment?  What new questions are you lining up in your noggin right now?  And if you're not thinking about this and that.....why aren't you?

Why War?

I'm filled with more "why" questions today than ever before.  It's what keeps me learning, searching and hoping for a reason or purpose to be revealed.  Here are some of what questions I have on my mind today.  Perhaps they will coincide with yours, maybe not.  Or maybe they'll cause you to think for a moment.....yeah, I wonder about that. 

1.   Why is there War?
2.   Why doesn't the sun shine so we can see it everyday?
3.   Why do teenagers think their parents are as dumb as rocks?
4.   And.. Why do parents seem smarter to their kids, the older they become?
5.   Why is there so much evil in the World?
6.   Why does the military force soldiers to take leave mid-point through their deployment?
7.   Why am I not a long lost relative of Oprah Winfrey?
8.   Why don't people want to be accountable for their actions anymore?
9.   Why is the workplace so full of distrust, back stabbing and lack of loyalty?
10.  Why are Christians so lazy in reading the word?
11.  Why are church politics so ugly when Christ is not the focal point of their mission?
12.  Why is there War?
13.  Why do people post such stupid stuff on Facebook?
14.  Why are people so reluctant to change?
15.  Why are people so greedy and manipulative?
16.  Why do our politicians say they are going to make a difference and never do?
17.  Why do the Chicago Bears have problems finding a quarterback, when the Packers always can?
18.  Why do Chicago Cub fans say there is always next year, when they know better?
19.  Why is there War?
20.  Why is there killing?
22.  Why would anyone want to get into politics with all the mud slinging that goes on?
23.  Why are people afraid of making a mistake?
24.  Why are people so reluctant to say, "I'm sorry"?
25.  Why do we spend hours upon hours on our computers searching for things we shouldn't be?
26.  Why are our wisdom-filled seniors continue to be looked down upon?
27.  Why is our military in Afghanistan, remind me again?
28.  Why are the pounds so much harder to take off the older you get?
29.  Why are our teachers still at the low end of the pay spectrum?
30.  Why did Jesus die for us......when so many people have no idea?

I will admit, I already know the answers to some of the questions I asked, but it's still fun to ask anyway.  Others though, will remain with me for a long time, perhaps forever.  And that's alright.  I do know, it won't keep me from asking others a question, researching or praying for an answer.  I still keep hearing the words, "because I said so"......that's what keeps me going.  Maybe that's the reason WHY.  


YGG,

John






   

TEN BIGGEST MILITARY BLUNDERS.....AND YOURS?

History has shown us that as decision makers, we humans leave much to be desired.  When you combine bad choices with war you have tragedy......and when a blunder occurs lives are lost and the fate of nations are at stake.  We've seen it time and again.  And what is most alarming is that many of those mistakes have come from Rulers of countries and Generals of armies.    

How do you learn to make good choices?  I've been working from a premise in the last fifteen years that the way to learn to make good decisions, is by making bad ones.  Most importantly, in making those bad choices, I will have developed experience to help me down the right road.  Another way of proper decision making would be to surround yourself with people that help you see the proper choice.  Far too often the leaders of our countries, our armies, our corporations and our churches, don't.  And it's here where the recipe for failure is obvious.   Whenever those in charge see themselves as thee "voice", have an attitude of being unapproachable or surround themselves with "yes" people, the groundwork for failure has been laid, not success.

Let's take a look back at some of the greatest Military blunders of all-time.  See if you don't recognize some of the traits I've listed.  Think too, that if a different decision had been made, how our history would be altered in that outcome.  The Top Ten All-Time:

10.  THE MUNICH AGREEMENT (1938).  In an attempt to prevent the Second World War, British  Prime Minister Nevile Chamberlain, along with Benito Mussolini, of Italy, Adolf Hitler and Édouard Daladier, of France, signed a treaty of appeasement in Munich. This signed away the Sudetenland, along the Czechoslovakian border, to the expanding Nazi Germany.  Basically, by throwing Sudetenland Hitler's way, these leaders hoped to avoid conflict.  In reality, it provided Hitler an expanded territory without any military losses.

Air Superiority Didn't Win the War

9.  THE VIETNAM WAR (1959-1975).  This was said to be one of the worst mistakes in U.S. History...not just militarily.  U.S. support for the Republic of Vietnam in their fight against the communist North led to a failed strategy.  Over 60,000 lives were lost despite perceived American technology and air superiority.  The guerilla warfare tactics of the Viet Cong rebels and the North Vietnamese Army were far too much for our troops.

8.  THE BATTLE OF LAKE TRASIMENE (217 B.C.).  When Hannibal marched his huge army of Carthaginians and Gauls over the Alps the Romans began quaking in their boots. The great General had fought his way across Southern Gaul and entered the Roman heartland complete with war elephants and vicious barbarians. The Romans sent 40,000 soldiers to halt the General's advance.  Hannibal, a master of military strategy, ambushed the Romans as they marched to Lake Trasimene where they thought he was camped.  Many Roman soldiers were forced to run and subsequently drowned.  History tells us that Hannibal also suffered huge losses, which in essence, makes this a blunder on the sides of both armies.

7.  THE CHARGE OF THE LIGHT BRIGADE (1854).  "The Battle of Balaclava had nothing to do with knitted head wear but everything to do with knitted jackets. As part of the Crimean war, British, French and Turkish forces were advancing towards the major Russian port of Sevastopol when they met the defending Russian army. The British had a large amount of cavalry but the Russians countered this with an impressive array of guns and artillery. The defenders had control of the valley and had flanked the British army by capturing several redoubts on the valley wall.

It was a miscommunication that caused the British cavalry to charge into the valley. The original order had been to capture the enemy guns on one side of the valley, but instead they were given the instruction to charge through the valley and to capture the main bank of enemy guns. The British Cavalrymen, led by Lord Cardigan, must have known this to be suicide but dutifully followed their orders. Lord Cardigan led the charge. This foolish action led the Russian officers to believe that the British were drunk.

Miraculously, nearly two hundred of the 600 strong Light Brigade survived the charge and Lord Cardigan returned home as hero and a fashion icon. As a result, his woolen jacket , which had been made especially for the cold Russian weather, became a popular item of clothing known as the cardigan (the sweater).

Tennyson immortalized the charge of the Light Brigade in his poem of the same name. In this he famously wrote ‘ours is not to question why, ours is but to do and die’." 

6.  THE DIEPPE RAID (1942).  This was an attempt by Canadian and British troops to land on the beaches of Dieppe, France.  6,000 troops were dropped onto the beaches through naval and air power in hopes of proving a landing of such a magnitude was possible.  The result was a massacre.  Over 3,000 troops were killed.  The Dieppe Raid did end up providing tactical information for the Normandy landing that would take place later.  A test run with significant losses.

5.  BATTLE OF THE LITTLE BIG HORN (1876).  Who can forget Custer's Land Stand?  A failed war strategy and lack of command/direction by the U.S. Seventh Calvary led to the slaughter of 700 troops at the Little Big Horn.  This battle was a great success for the Native peoples of  North America, the Lakota and Cheyenne.  Yellow-haired Custer also lost much that day.  In addition to his own life, he lost his nephew, brother-in-law and two brothers.

4.  PEARL HARBOR (1942).  The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor will live in infamy in U.S. annals.  The Imperial Japanese Navy launched a strike on Pearl Harbor with a thought of crippling the United States Pacific fleet, thus rendering defenses useless....and that in itself would lead to an early Japanese victory.  Despite huge losses of U.S. ships and life, the Japanese did not complete their supposed duties.  Had a scheduled third wave of the attack been led by Japanese forces, the U.S. could have been rendered totally useless in their ability to provide Naval support in the Pacific.

December 7, 1942....Pearl Harbor

3.  BATTLE OF WATLING STREET (61)  An unbelievable ninny don't you think?  How can you have a troop of Celtic Britons numbering 80,000 and lose to a group of Romans totalling 400 is beyond me.  The leader, if you want to call her that, was Queen Boudicca.  The Queen raised an Army against the Romans and went about rampaging Roman towns and burning them to the ground.  Little did she realize, an ambush is not a great thing to fall into.  In addition to the surprise encounter on Watling Street, the Romans created a wall of shields and spears the Celtic Britons could not penetrate.  It's been said, that the Queen took her own life after turning and running from the slaughter.   

2.  GERMAN'S INVASION OF THE SOVIET UNION (1941).  Hitler’s decision to attack the Soviet Union is often considered to be one of the wost decisions ever made by anybody. Hitler had already defeated all of his European enemies. Only Great Britain remained. The fact that Britain commanded an empire comprised of three of the largest countries on the Earth didn’t bother Hitler. He was bored and wanted a new challenge. And so he decided to declare war on a nation ten times the size of his own empire.
Hitler quickly advanced towards Moscow with little resistance.  Cold weather set in and Soviet troops used this as a rallying point.  Had they not....the map of Europe might very well be Red and dotted with swastikas.

1.  NAPOLEON'S INVASION OF RUSSIA (1812).  In June of 1812, Napoleon began his fatal Russian campaign, a landmark in history of the destructive potential of warfare.  Virtually all of continental Europe was under his control, and the invasion of Russia was an attempt to force Tsar Alexander to submit once again to the terms of a treaty that Napoleon had imposed upon him four years earlier.  Having gathered nearly half a million soldiers from France and other states of Europe, Napoleon entered Russia at the head of the largest army ever seen.  The Russians, knowing that defeat was inevitable if they stayed and fought, strategically retreated.  As the months wore on, the supply lines for Napoleon's troops grew thinner and his troops were reduced by two-thirds due to fatigue and hunger.  In September, Alexander and Napoleon's troops waged battle where 108,000 were killed, but no decisive winner was apparent. Tail between his legs, the Little General ordered his troops to head for France.  Fighting winter and the lack of food and supplies, only 10,000 reached home.

Some colossal blunders, don't you think?  So, does that help you in fretting about some of the dumb choices you made....and a realization that there are  a number of people who made far worse mistakes than you?   I put some time to this whole decision making process and came up with a few ideas....but then I thought, it might be better to get an authority to weigh in on the subject, so I turned to Pastor John Kline of Zion Lutheran Church in Des Moines.

"Why, Pastor John, do we live in a world where people are paralyzed in their decision making?",  I asked.  His answers back were more than insightful.  The Pastor mentioned the situations most of us operate in daily.  "Often times, people are working in an environment ripe with fear", he said.  In simplistic terms, they're afraid of how they'll be perceived in making a misstep.  "What we all need is an environment of approachability.  Okay...you screwed up", Kline went on to say.  "We need to surround ourselves with people who don't overreact and who will encourage others to lead the same way."   

Pastor Kline left me with a nugget you might find helpful.  Matthew 18:1-4.  "At the time the disciples came to Jesus and asked 'Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?'  He called a little child and had him stand among them.  And he said: 'I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.  Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom in heaven."

You say you've made some big time mistakes....some blunders that are embarrassing to think about, let alone talk about.  Strangely enough, we've all been there.  Every day you'll be making decisions on your future.  Pray about, surround yourself with good counsel and be open to those that have the gift of discernment.  The Good Pastor had one last thought on decision making.  "There will always be a day to be Faithful", he concluded.  See if that doesn't help you avoid those blunders......

YGG,

John
   

ONCE WAS LOST, BUT NOW I'M FOUND

One of my favorite classes in high shool was World History.  Not that I was an A student, but because it held my interest.  It fascinated me in many ways....and it opened my eyes to a world that was full of adventure and mystique.  And that's still true today.  I had a little time while waiting for a late morning appointment, so I decided to see what "This Day in Military History" held in store for me.  What a trip back in time, it was.  Think 1972...and see if you can remember this!!!

"I've been waiting for a long time"

1972 - After 28 years of hiding in the jungles of Guam, local farmers discover Shoichi Yokoi, a Japanese sergeant who was unaware that World War II had ended. Guam, a 200-square-mile island in the western Pacific, became a U.S. possession in 1898 after the Spanish-American War. In 1941, the Japanese attacked and captured it, and in 1944, after three years of Japanese occupation, U.S. forces retook Guam. It was at this time that Yokoi, left behind by the retreating Japanese forces, went into hiding rather than surrender to the Americans. In the jungles of Guam, he carved survival tools and for the next three decades waited for the return of the Japanese and his next orders. After he was discovered in 1972, he was finally discharged and sent home to Japan, where he was hailed as a national hero. He subsequently married and returned to Guam for his honeymoon. His handcrafted survival tools and threadbare uniform are on display in the Guam Museum in Agana.

Do you remember this story?  I can recollect it, but it was one that I had certainly forgotten about.  Isn't it stunning to think that Yokoi avoided detection for such a long time?  He later recalled he knew the War was over since 1952, but was afraid to come out of hiding.  It's even more bizarre when you dig deeper into the story that he was not alone.  Initially ten soldiers hid out with the Sergeant until years later when eight finally gave up.  Shoichi and his two remaining buddies continued to live together until they decided to go off on their own.  In 1962, Yokoi found them both dead, having died from starvation.  Yokoi lived in a man-made cave and wore clothes that he made from local fibers (hibiscus bark) that he wove himself.  He hunted at night to avoid any detection.  "The only thing that gave me the strength and the will to survive was my faith in myself and that as a soldier of Japan, it was not a disgrace to continue on living", Yokoi said.  On returning to his homeland, he eventually received $300 in back pay and a small pension from the Japanese Government.

Yokoi's Place of Refuge

I once read that you have to know where you have been to know where you are going.  However, when it comes to the God of the Bible,  my past does not predicate my future. "I once was lost but now I am found", was a revelation from John Newton's, "Amazing Grace".  I have to wonder if Shoichi Yokoi ever sang that song.....or if he ever thought of those lyrics when he slid into that man-made cave each and every night.  If he ever read any World History, he would have known about John Newton and what led him to write that song.  A song that would have made 28 years on the run, much easier to endure, or he might have come back to this world alot sooner than he did.  Yokoi died in 1997 at the age of 82 from a heart attack.  Nearly one third of his life was spent on the lam.

I'll leave you with a couple of questions today.  How much of your life have you spent running and hiding, afraid to face reality?  Wasn't that really what Yokoi did?  And where can you find solace, that once found, you can live the remainder of your life to the fullest?  I'll give you a hint on this last one....it begins with the letter "J" and is five letters long.  History tells me so.  The first question you'll have to answer on your own.

YGG,

John          

DOG DAYS OF WAR...

It's been a while since we've heard from our Golden Retriever, Mason, in this blog.  It's not that he hasn't been talking because he does alot.  In fact, there's not a day that goes by that he doesn't say something. Some days he is simply a little more animated.   This morning, he seemed more talkative and a little more intense in his dog speak.  I just sat there for awhile admiring all that he is to us and thankful that he is part of our family.  I think that's what he wanted me to do.....just stay still and appreciate his kind.  Here's what came out it.

Mason knows he is fortunate to live where he does.  However, that doesn't mean that he forgets about the sacrifice he knows his "kind" make each and every day in Iraq and Afghanistan.  Sadly, there are two sides to this story.  The dogs that live in these countries and those that are employed by our troops.

Remember Michael Vick and the outrage our country felt when dog fighting became a hot button issue?  Well, apparently the outcry of animal abuse hasn't made its way to Afghanistan.  Under the Taliban regime dog fighting was forbidden. Today, it is a source of entertainment for hundreds of Afghans who join the crowd to see dog fightings, organized on a weekly basis in Mazar-e-Sharif.  Dogs only older than one year are brought to the battlefield for fights which sometimes are arranged on bets up to thousands of US dollars. These animals are fed with milk, butter and meat and are well cared for by their owners. According to dog owners, the animals from Mazar-e-Sharif city produce the best dogs for fights.

Words cannot express this abuse properly

Attitudes expressed by the people of Afghanistan make a point that supports a lack of respect for life.  One 76-year old, Haji Fasiz Mohammad simply states, "I've grown up in war, so anything that involves a fight, I love.  Since the people of Afghanistan have always been fighting", he says, "what else can we love except fighting?"

Fazel Ahmad Manawi, a member of the government's council of religious scholars, said the fighting and betting involved in animal fights are against Islamic law.  "We will propose (a ban) to the government again," he said. "Only one fighting is legitimate and that is to defend ourselves and our homeland."   Perhaps, Michael Vick should make a trip here, you think?

Our son has told us of the sad treatment of animals in general in Afghanistan.  He has seen first hand outside the wire at his FOB (Forward Operating Base) the lack of love, affection and even tolerance that animals face every day from the people of Afghanistan.  Some dogs are taken in by soldiers and become a "buddy" to the troops. And then, there are the stories of those fortunate ones, the dogs that become so attached to a soldier, that he or she ends up bringing it back with them to the states.  

On the flip side, there are stories upon stories of our four-legged friends coming to the rescue of our troops.  Britain's Arms and Explosives Search Dog save hundreds each and every year.  If you look at their pictures you'll see their "cuteness".  But don't be fooled.  They have a job to do and they do it well.  The following is an excerpt from a Telegraph Media Group story by Robert Chesshyre.

Cute, Lovable and Preservers of Life

 Dogs have been part of the British effort from the beginning of the Afghan conflict, but their use has rapidly increased. For security reasons, the Army withholds the exact numbers deployed.  For as long as armies have fought, there have been dogs of war. Two and a half millennia ago the Lydians in Anatolia had fighting-dog battalions; dogs were deployed at the Battle of Marathon in 490bc; the Romans used them; Napoleon understood their value; in the First World War they hauled guns and delivered messages; they have long served as tracker and guard dogs.

Two years ago a full helicopter emergency rescue, involving 26 troops, was launched in Helmand to pluck Monty, a 10-year-old Springer spaniel, from a forward base where it was feared that he had swallowed plastic explosives. Such an operation is normally mounted only to evacuate seriously wounded soldiers, demonstrating how important dogs are to the fighting effort. In fact, no trace of explosives was found in Monty, and he recovered after 24 hours on a drip and a few days' rest.

The ultimate value of AES dogs on the Afghan front line, measured in soldiers' (and civilian) lives saved, has been recognised by the award to two military dogs of the Dickin Medal (established in 1943 by Maria Dickin, the founder of the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals, and known as the animals' VC). In 2007 Sadie, a nine-year-old black Labrador, discovered a secondary explosive device amid the carnage of a suicide blast outside the UN headquarters in Kabul. The MoD said that 'hundreds of our boys owe their lives to Sadie's keen sense of smell'. (Sadie's handler at the time was L/Cpl Karen Yardley. RAVC women share battlefield risks alongside the men, unlike women infantry soldiers, who do not serve on the front line.)

Last year Treo, another eight-year-old Labrador, received the award when working as a "forward detection dog". He turned up two "daisy chain" bombs – multiple explosives wired together – in Sangin, one of the most dangerous environments in Helmand. Treo's action had saved many lives. When Treo received his Dickin Medal from Princess Alexandra, his handler, Sgt Dave Heyhoe, said, 'He is a very good friend: we look after each other.'

So, you can see why Mason and I connected this morning.  He's proud of what his brothers and sisters do.  And well he should be.  Thanks for sharing again, you big hunk.  Any time you want, SPEAK, okay Mason?

YGG,

John

DON'T WORRY....."THREE LITTLE BIRDS"

I know what mood I'm in this January day, but how are you feeling about our winter season right now?  Are you tired of the snow, lack of sun and finding yourself wishing for some, any sign of spring?  Can't come soon enough, you say?

I dislike this time of year (notice I didn't say hate).  Once the Christmas tree, stockings and lights come down, my sights switch to thoughts of green grass and warmer temperatures.  I'd like to think we've about reached the "hump" and we are on a quick pace to see Mother Nature in evening attire rather than Eskimo garb. I sure hope so anyway.  I kind of feel the same way about this deployment thing.  We're six months in and six more to go.  Without question, we are on the downside.  However, that doesn't mean we are home free.  Far from it.

I'm sure I'm no different than any soldier or family member in that I'd just like to get this over with.  Given the fact that our son, Kris, is home on leave, makes it all that much harder.  We're about 9 days from him leaving again.  Already, I can see some attitudes changing in myself, my wife and our youngest son as that day draws near when our soldier boards a plane to head back to Afghanistan.

Today, I had some video clips passed to me about a young British girl who made a name for herself on "Britain's Got Talent".  I dug a little deeper into her resume and found this little nugget, that sure fit the moment for me.  And it can for you too no matter what situation you're in right now.  Don't worry......okay.

   
This little dynamo, Connie Talbot, was eight years old when she recorded Bob Marley's old tune, "Three Little Birds".  Talbot finished runner up to Paul Potts in Britain's version of "American Idol" one year prior to releasing this song and  her first album.  Since then, she has gone on to perform in front of numerous British and American television audiences.  Her album was number one in three countries.

I pass this little ditty along to you...because it helped me today.  It put a bounce back in my step and helped ease some not so good thoughts in my mind.  So, don't worry.....be happy......everything's going to be alright!!!!


YGG,

John   

THE WISDOM IN DEATH

 The Department of Defense announced yesterday the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.  Cpl. Joseph C. Whitehead, 22, of Axis, Ala., died Jan. 17 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.  He was assigned to 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

 More than anything, I wanted to let you know about Cpl. Joseph C. Whitehead's death.  You probably  don't know him, I don't either, but that's not the point.  What is most important, is that we take the time to reflect on the freedom so many have provided for us.  Cpl. Whitehead was a mother's son.....that in itself should be enough to make you stop and think.  And so it continues..........

The number of U.S. soldiers killed in action in Afghanistan recently surpassed the 1,400 figure.  In Iraq, that number is somewhere over 4,400.  That's nearly 6,000 troops that have lost their lives supporting the cause of our country.   MERCY.

Now, let me help you bring these facts a little bit more in focus.  If you ever find yourself in Santa Barbara, California on a weekend, saunter over to the pier area.  You'll be amazed and speechless as to what you see. 

Several years ago, a group of U.S. veterans against the war began placing a candle and cross in the sandy beach for every serviceman's death from Afghanistan and Iraq.  The memorial is a makeshift graveyard that is put up and taken down each weekend.  It takes 3 hours to erect the make-shift graveyard each weekend and a little less time to take it down.  Each and every weekend this takes place.  Volunteers sleep at the site to make sure no one vandalizes the grounds.  Every cross has name, rank, age, date of death and how the death occurred on it.  The veterans capped the number of crosses erected at 3,000 at Santa Barbara’s Arlington West, but still the display is more than powerful in conveying the ultimate loss.

3,000 Crosses dot the beach at Santa Barbara Pier

Santa Barbara Arlington West has not lived without its critics.  Some see it as a failed attempt to give War a face.....others are critical of the bad press Santa Barbara has received because of it.  It should be noted, though, that this memorial silently asks the question, Why War......and demands a credible answer.

Several months ago when our family was returning home from the graduation of our middle son, Jonathan, from Basic,  I spent time in the backseat of our vehicle searching for a Bible verse concerning wisdom.  I was looking for words that would help bring his career choice, it's danger and our lives into perspective.  Within minutes, I ran across Ecclesiastes 7:2

"It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, for death is the destiny of every man, the living should take this to heart."

I don't agree with all that War represents.....and I'm certainly not a Peace Protester.  What I do know, is that, the above words from Ecclesiastes gives me solace at the right time to understand our mortality.  For me, that's the kind of wisdom I can live with.

YGG,

John

OUR FIRST TV WAR....TWENTY YEARS AGO

Yesterday (January 17th) was a significant day in our country's history.  We celebrated Martin Luther King Jr's Birthday.  King was the chief spokesman for non-violent activism in the civil rights movement.  In respect to Mr. King and all he meant to the struggle of the civil rights movement, I held off mentioning one other piece of noted importance to the day.

On January 17th, 1991.....we saw Live TV of War for the first time.  Do you remember that night when people huddled close to their television sets, much like they did around the "old" radio of yesteryear?  What a night that was.  CNN became the focal point of the evening, not only for Americans, but for leaders of some of the countries most affected by the assault.  It has been well chronicled that leaders of nations (Egypt and Saudi Arabia) were informed of the invasion beginnings by the United States Government while others like Jordan's King Hussein found out while watching the cable giant's news program.  Let's relive a part of those moments......

In the following days, the World continued to be fed information via CNN.  When final results were tabulated from the Gulf War is was estimated the  U.S. led coalition flew over 100,000 sorties,  dropping 88,500 tons of bombs, and widely destroying military and civilian infrastructure.  The air campaign was commanded by USAF Lieutenant General Chuck Hornerorld, who briefly served as Commander-in-Chief - Forward of  U.S. Central Command while General Schwarzkopf was still in the United States.  Horner, born in Davenport, Iowa was an Air Force ROTC graduate from the University of Iowa. 

Yes, January 17th has a very special place in the our country's history.  Not only from a military standpoint, but without question, in our ways to disseminate information through video.  War became more real, if that's possible, that day. 

YGG,

John