Christmas Eve in Kandahar / HOW THE GRINCH STOLE THE SEABEES GRAVEL

Christmas Eve in Kandahar, Afghanistan - When I took on this gig, I had planned that I would be here for the holidays.

It may still be December 23rd back home, but here, it is already December 24th.

I posted this a while back and it bears posting again. It was the first time I was away from home on Christmas.  Enjoy and Merry Christmas Eve !!

HOW THE GRINCH STOLE THE SEABEES GRAVEL...A Seabee Christmas story from Iraq in 2004

 8 years ago, I was in Iraq with the Seabees - It was Christmas and we were doing the job we were assigned -
Helping rebuild Iraq.

One of the things we needed more than anything else was GRAVEL - It was needed to firm up the muddy areas and allow construction to occur -

No Gravel - No ability to build - A big problem -

On Christmas Eve, I sent this to all my fellow Seabees -

It was my way of getting them to see that Christmas was a time for us to be thankful for all we have and to allow the season to make our hearts light...Being away from home and staioned in Iraq was a tough assignment, but we could make sure that Christmas was still the day that we celebrate the birth of our Savior...

I share this with you in that same spirit - I have much to be thankful for -

I have my wife, who is the best part of my life. I have good family, good friends and a faith that we have been blessed by the LORD.

I hope that all of you enjoy Christmas, Hanukkah and the Holidays and take stock of what we have been given.....We have all been blessed.

Middleboro Jones

HOW THE GRINCH STOLE THE SEABEES GRAVEL
by Dr Seuss (with help from Middleboro Jones)
Every Seabee
Down in Seabee-ville
Liked Gravel a lot...

But the Grinch,
Who lived just North of Seabee-ville,
Did NOT!

The Grinch hated Gravel!
Now, please don't ask why. No one quite knows the reason.
It could be that his head wasn't screwed on quite right.
It could be, perhaps, that his shoes were too tight.

But I think that the most likely reason of all
May have been that his heart was two sizes too small.

But,
Whatever the reason,
His heart or his shoes,
He stood there on Christmas Eve, hating the Seabees,

Staring down from his cave with a sour, Grinchy frown
At the warm lighted windows below in their town.
For he knew every Seabee down in Seabee-ville beneath
Was busy now, working on their CESE.

"And they're waiting on a convoy!" he snarled with a sneer.
"Tomorrow they’ll expect more gravel ! It's practically here!"

Then he growled, with his grinch fingers nervously drumming,
"I MUST find a way to keep Gravel from coming!"

For, tomorrow, he knew...

...All the Seabees
Would wake up bright and early.
And then! Oh, the noise! Oh, the noise! Noise! Noise! Noise!
That's one thing he hated! The NOISE! NOISE! NOISE! NOISE!

Then the Seabeess, young and old, would sit down to a feast.
And they'd feast! And they'd feast!
And they'd FEAST! FEAST! FEAST! FEAST!
They would start on Seabee-pudding, and rare Seabee-roast-beast
Which was something the Grinch couldn't stand in the least!

And the more the Grinch thought of the Seabee gravel coming
The more the Grinch thought, "I must stop this whole thing!
"Why for many years I've put up with it now!
I MUST stop Gravel from coming!
...But HOW?"

Then he got an idea!
An awful idea!
THE GRINCH
GOT A WONDERFUL, AWFUL IDEA!

"I know just what to do!" The Grinch Laughed in his throat.
And he made a quick Santy Claus hat and a coat.
And he chuckled, and clucked, "What a great Grinchy trick!
"With this coat and this hat, I'll look just like Saint Nick!"

"All I need is a reindeer..."
The Grinch looked around.
But since reindeer are scarce, there was none to be found.
Did that stop the old Grinch...?
No! The Grinch simply said,
"If I can't find a reindeer, I'll make one instead!"

So he called his dog Max. Then he took some red thread
And he tied a big horn on top of his head.

THEN
He loaded some bags
And some old empty sacks
On a ramshakle sleigh
And he hitched up old Max.

Then the Grinch said, "Giddyap!"

And the sleigh started down
Toward the hooches where the Seabees
Lay a-snooze in their hooches.

All their windows were dark. Quiet snow filled the air.
All the Seabees were all dreaming sweet gravel dreams without care

When he came to the first house in the square.
"This is stop number one," The old Grinchy Claus hissed

Then he slunk to the icebox. He took the Seabeess' feast!
He took the Seabee-pudding! He took the roast beast!
He cleaned out that icebox as quick as a flash.
Why, that Grinch even took their last can of Seabee-hash!

Then he stuffed all the food up the chimney with glee.
"And NOW!" grinned the Grinch, "I will make sure no gravel arrives…

And the Grinch grabbed the DSN line, and started to call

When he heard a small sound like the coo of a dove.
He turned around fast, and he saw a small Seabee!
Little Seabee Burke, who was not more than 22.

The Grinch had been caught by this little Seabee daughter
Who'd got out of bed for a cup of cold water.
She stared at the Grinch and said, "Santy Claus, why,
"Why are you taking our Gravel? WHY?"

But, you know, that old Grinch was so smart and so slick
He thought up a lie, and he thought it up quick!

"Why, my sweet little Seabee," the fake Santy Claus lied,
"There's a stone in this gravel, that’s sharp on one side.
"So I'm taking it home to my workshop, my dear.
"I'll fix it up there. Then I'll bring gravel back here."

And his fib fooled the Seabee. Then he patted her head
And he got her a drink and he sent her to bed.
And when Seabee Burke went to bed with her cup,
He went to DSN line and called the gravel convoy off!

Then the last thing he took
Was the log for their fire.
Then he went up the chimney himself, the old liar.
On their walls he left nothing but hooks, and some wire.

And the one speck of food
That he left in the house
Was a crumb that was even too small for a mouse.

Then
He did the same thing
To the other Seabees

Leaving crumbs
Much too small
For the other Seabees' mouses!

It was quarter past dawn...
All the Seabees, still a-bed
All the Seabees, still a-snooze
When he packed up his sled,
Packed it up with their gravel!

"Pooh-pooh to the Seabees!" he was grinch-ish-ly humming.
"They're finding out now that no gravel coming!
"They're just waking up! I know just what they'll do!
"Their mouths will hang open a minute or two
"The all the Seabeess down in Seabee-ville will all cry BOO-HOO!"

"That's a noise," grinned the Grinch,
"That I simply must hear!"
So he paused. And the Grinch put a hand to his ear.
And he did hear a sound rising over the snow.
It started in low. Then it started to grow...

But the sound wasn't sad!
Why, this sound sounded merry!
It couldn't be so!
But it WAS merry! VERY!

He stared down at Seabee-ville!
The Grinch popped his eyes!
Then he shook!
What he saw was a shocking surprise!

Every Seabee down in Seabee-ville, the tall and the small,
Was working! Without any gravel at all!
He HADN'T stopped gravel from coming!
IT CAME!
Somehow or other, it came just the same!

And the Grinch, with his grinch-feet ice-cold in the snow,
Stood puzzling and puzzling: "How could it be so?
It came from the country of Jordan, not local at all,

Those damn Seabees didn’t have to go that far after all!

And he puzzled three hours, `till his puzzler was sore.
Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before!
"Maybe gravel," he thought, "doesn't come from a Marshalling area.
"Maybe gravel...perhaps...means a little bit more!"

And what happened then...?
Well...in Seabee-ville they say
That the Grinch's small heart
Grew three sizes that day!

And the minute his heart didn't feel quite so tight,
He whizzed with his load through the bright morning light
And he brought back the gravel! And the food for the feast!
And he...

...HE HIMSELF...!
The Grinch carved the roast beast!

SEABEES make a difference for others in Kandahar

Navy SeaBees assigned to the Kandahar Provincial Reconstruction Team pose for a picture April 13, 2012 in Kandahar, Afghanistan. Kandahar PRT is a joint team of U.S. Air Force, Army, Navy service members and civilians deployed to the Kandahar province of Afghanistan to assist in the effort to rebuild and stabilize the local government and infrastructure.



If anywhere in this world there is a need for the skills of the " Builder Bees" of the Navy, it is out here in the Sandbox.  I got to speak with some Seabees when I was here last time and they were making things better for others as only Seabees can do.

" The difficult we do right away, the impossible takes a little while longer."

Bravo Zulu to these hardworking professionals.

News: 'We build, We fight': Seabees in Kandahar
  Story by Staff Sgt. Timothy Chacon
  KANDAHAR, Afghanistan - Several Navy Seabees are assigned to Kandahar Provincial Reconstruction team in Kandahar Afghanistan.

Many people may have never heard of the U.S. Navy’s Seabees. The simple, but to the point motto of “We build, We fight” is all one would need to know to understand the basics of what Seabees do, but there is much more to their story. The Seabees have over 70 year of history and accomplishments both in combat and humanitarian missions around the world. From storming the beaches at Normandy during World War II, to assisting with relief efforts in the aftermath of the 2010 Haiti earthquakes, the Seabees are more than qualified to handle any situation or challenge placed before them.

The eight Seabees assigned to the Kandahar Provincial Reconstruction Team in Afghanistan find themselves tasked with a mission that is somewhere in between a combat and humanitarian mission. The mission of KPRT is to assist with improving governance and rebuilding the infrastructure of the Kandahar province. The Seabees play a major role in the infrastructure rebuilding as well as logistical support for all missions conducted by the PRT.
There are three types of Seabees assigned to KPRT: Construction Mechanic, Builder and Construction Electrician. All three titles are self-explanatory as to what duties they perform, but what might not be so evident is what actually goes into performing those duties.

KPRT currently assists of local Afghan construction contractors with several projects in the Kandahar province. The Seabees are not the ones swinging hammers or pouring concrete, but they are providing valuable oversight and expertise for those projects. They monitor the projects and work hand in hand with local engineers ensuring they are meeting certain building standards and safety regulations.

“What we do is very important, we try to teach the locals safer ways to do the projects and help them establish a standard for building codes.” said Senior Chief Petty Officer Michelle Bernales.

Along with the oversight, the Seabees also spend time trying to educate the Afghans on building methods and techniques.

“We don’t just tell them what they need to be doing, but also the reasons for it,” said Bernales. “It’s important they understand why they are doing things a certain way. This will not only make their structures safer, but prolong the life of the buildings.”

The building sites are in the local community and not within the safety of a secure compound. The Seabees venture to these construction sites to keep track of the building process, often times putting themselves in dangerous situations.

SgtMaj Carlton W. Kent - Farewell to a Marine’s Marine - relieved as Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps after 35 years of service

We all have met and spent time with people who gave us their strength in times of great duress. The inspirational leader who shored you up when you needed it most. These are the people you remember.

My time in Fallujah, Iraq from 2004-2005 was some of the toughest months of my life. The place was hell and it was not something I have not wanted to relive or really remember. While the Seabees didn't experience that place like the USMC did, if you were there, you paid a "price". There is no need to justify how good or bad anyone had it - The place "sucked", for lack of a better term, and it was horrible for all. Too many men paid the ultimate price and many others will carry the scars from that place, physically and mentally, for the rest of their lives.

During my time there, I developed a close bond with the Marines we served with in IMEF. Our Seabee regiment was attached to the USMC Command, IMEF. It was the way things were organized and like most changes, it took some getting used to.

One of the jobs I had was working closely with my USMC counterparts as we had to assist each other with supply and convoys. The Marines handled the brunt of the work with Seabees in support. I became pretty well known by most of the Marine command as they would request supplies that we had in our TOA that the Marines were short on. This meant on a regular basis, I had to supply the Marines when they fell short and it allowed me to contribute to the difficult work they did in that God forsaken place. My job was not as harrowing as tearing the city apart, but each of us was assisting the efforts.

Part of this was working with the command at IMEF which was new to me then. I had gone on a few OPS with CENTCOM and other unified commands but this was different. As time passed, word got out to the senior enlisted structure at IMEF that the Seabees were assisting in many ways that helped the USMC including the Logistics/Supply efforts made by our group. The SgtMaj of IMEF in Fallujah at that time was SgtMaj Carlton W. Kent. I only spoke to him when he had asked for my assistance a few times approaching me and having my efforts extolled to him by one of my USMC counterparts . I worked with the Gunny Sgts but they had given the Seabees high marks for all our efforts and word had gotten to SgtMaj Kent.

SgtMaj Kent was a great leader and the kind of person that naturally exuded leadership. His manner was to give his full atention to the person he was speaking with and to make sure that each one knew he had his full attention. I had a few opportunties to speak with him and got to know him professionally.

The day came when like most of us, I had to leave Fallujah. It seemed like the place you would never leave but eventually, you were given heads up to pack your stuff and head out. When I got the word, I had to stop by and pay my respects to SgtMaj Kent as he and I had developed a good working relationship during my time there.

I went to see him and in his office I told him that I was going to be leaving as I had orders to pushout back home. SgtMaj Kent thanked me for all my efforts in supporting the mission and said, " Gee, I was just getting used to having you around..." He felt the Seabees had proven how well they could do as many of the Marines were intially unsure if having Seabees there with them in the command would work out.

I shook his hand and stated that it had been an honor and privilege to serve with him. He looked me in the eye and said, " SK1, you can go out with my men anytime...It's been great to have you here." While many would value a COM or a NAM for their efforts while deployed, I had gotten what I valued more than anything I could have asked for. I had the Sgt Maj's respect. He honored me by giving me his confidence and expressing he was thankful for the time we had together. I left his office prouder than if the Commander of IMEF had pinned an award on me as I had the respect of the Senior Enlisted Leader of IMEF and that is something I had worked hard to earn. He was the top War Fighter and the one all enlisted (USMC & Seabees) looked to as our Leader.

This rememberance came about due to reading a post at the USNI blog about SgtMaj Carlton W. Kent being relieved as Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps. I had not kept track of SgtMaj Kent's career but it is obvious why we was chosen for the post he held. He is a Marine's Marine, and the right man to take on leading Marines in their mission to defend our country and help others in need.

Bravo Zulu to Sergeant Major Kent. He has my respect and thanks for all the support he gave me during a very difficult time in my life. I remember him and I hope that some day, our paths cross again so I can thank him again for all that he did to help me and many, many others.

From the post at the USNI Blog:

On 8 June 2011, the United States Marine Corps conducted a post and relief of the senior enlisted Marine in the Corps at Marine Barracks 8th and I, Washington DC. SgtMaj Carlton W. Kent was relieved as Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps by SgtMaj Michael Barrett, who becomes the 17th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps. The relief brings to an end SgtMaj Kent’s 35 year career in the Corps. He is a legend in our Corps, an inspiration and example to all Marines, but particularly to the SNCO, NCO, and junior enlisted Marines, to whom his dedication was boundless.

NMCB 40 ends deployment by finishing a new mess hall at Forward Operating Base Camp Griffin in Faryab province

SEABEES get it done and complete their deployment by making life better for others...In a way that only Seabees can.....CAN DO !

NMCB 40 ends deployment with mess hall
By Ensign Peter Lee / ISAF Regional Command North
Ventura County Star
Posted March 9, 2011 at 5:14 p.m.

MAIMANAH, Afghanistan U.S. Navy Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 40 added the final segments to a dining facility they built on Forward Operating Base Camp Griffin in Faryab province Feb. 13 prior to their redeployment to the United States.

The 30-Sailor detachment, which provided construction, logistical and physical support to four International Security Assistance Force bases in northwestern Afghanistan, is completing a seven-month deployment.

“We wouldn’t be here if we didn’t enjoy what we do,” said Chief Steelworker Alan Egelston, detachment officer-in-charge. “Although junior, every Sailor was very professional. They thought and planned before beginning a project and were able to think on the fly. It was a good deployment.”

The Seabees built up physical infrastructure and maintenance programs at FOB Griffin and FOB Qeysar. The $200,000 dining facility was one of many projects planned and built by the Seabees to include a tactical operation center for the U.S. Army’s 3rd Battalion, 6th Field Artillery, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division; water wells; Morale, Welfare and Recreation building; chapel; picnic benches and furniture; and other tents and buildings supporting U.S. Army and ISAF soldiers.

“After a patrol or being outside the wire, we wanted the Soldiers to have a place that would be warm or cold depending on the season where they can rest and enjoy a meal,” said Seaman Brett Rankin, steelworker, FOB Griffin dining facility construction project assistant crew leader. “This dining facility will be able to host 125 people. We are definitely proud of what we were able to accomplish and if we didn’t have it, we’d make it.”

There were 13 Sailors assigned to build the 30-by-90-square-foot dining facility, which was completed one month and two weeks ahead of schedule.

“It’s a quality of life issue,” added Egelston. “We were glad we were able to establish a place like this and are proud to be forward operating.”

The Seabees are the U.S. Navy’s combat-capable construction element with the ability of operating in any environment to support construction requirements.

HOW THE GRINCH STOLE THE SEABEES GRAVEL...A Seabee Christmas story from Iraq in 2004

Six years ago, I was in Iraq with the Seabees - It was Christmas and we were doing the job we were assigned -

Helping rebuild Iraq.

One of the things we needed more than anything else was GRAVEL - It was needed to firm up the muddy areas and allow construction to occur -

No Gravel - No ability to build - A big problem -

On Christmas Eve, I sent this to all my fellow Seabees -

It was my way of getting them to see that Christmas was a time for us to be thankful for all we have and to allow the season to make our hearts light...Being away from home and staioned in Iraq was a tough assignment, but we could make sure that Christmas was still the day that we celebrate the birth of our Savior...

I share this with you in that same spirit - I have much to be thankful for -

I have my wife, who is the best part of my life. I have good family, good friends and a faith that we have been blessed by the LORD.

I hope that all of you enjoy Christmas, Hanukkah and the Holidays and take stock of what we have been given.....We have all been blessed.

Middleboro Jones


HOW THE GRINCH STOLE THE SEABEES GRAVEL
by Dr Seuss (with help from Middleboro Jones)

Every Seabee
Down in Seabee-ville
Liked Gravel a lot...

But the Grinch,
Who lived just North of Seabee-ville,
Did NOT!

The Grinch hated Gravel!
Now, please don't ask why. No one quite knows the reason.
It could be that his head wasn't screwed on quite right.
It could be, perhaps, that his shoes were too tight.

But I think that the most likely reason of all
May have been that his heart was two sizes too small.

But,
Whatever the reason,
His heart or his shoes,
He stood there on Christmas Eve, hating the Seabees,

Staring down from his cave with a sour, Grinchy frown
At the warm lighted windows below in their town.
For he knew every Seabee down in Seabee-ville beneath
Was busy now, working on their CESE.

"And they're waiting on a convoy!" he snarled with a sneer.
"Tomorrow they’ll expect more gravel ! It's practically here!"

Then he growled, with his grinch fingers nervously drumming,
"I MUST find a way to keep Gravel from coming!"

For, tomorrow, he knew...

...All the Seabees
Would wake up bright and early.
And then! Oh, the noise! Oh, the noise! Noise! Noise! Noise!
That's one thing he hated! The NOISE! NOISE! NOISE! NOISE!

Then the Seabeess, young and old, would sit down to a feast.
And they'd feast! And they'd feast!
And they'd FEAST! FEAST! FEAST! FEAST!
They would start on Seabee-pudding, and rare Seabee-roast-beast
Which was something the Grinch couldn't stand in the least!

And the more the Grinch thought of the Seabee gravel coming
The more the Grinch thought, "I must stop this whole thing!
"Why for many years I've put up with it now!
I MUST stop Gravel from coming!
...But HOW?"

Then he got an idea!
An awful idea!
THE GRINCH
GOT A WONDERFUL, AWFUL IDEA!

"I know just what to do!" The Grinch Laughed in his throat.
And he made a quick Santy Claus hat and a coat.
And he chuckled, and clucked, "What a great Grinchy trick!
"With this coat and this hat, I'll look just like Saint Nick!"

"All I need is a reindeer..."
The Grinch looked around.
But since reindeer are scarce, there was none to be found.
Did that stop the old Grinch...?
No! The Grinch simply said,
"If I can't find a reindeer, I'll make one instead!"

So he called his dog Max. Then he took some red thread
And he tied a big horn on top of his head.

THEN
He loaded some bags
And some old empty sacks
On a ramshakle sleigh
And he hitched up old Max.

Then the Grinch said, "Giddyap!"

And the sleigh started down
Toward the hooches where the Seabees
Lay a-snooze in their hooches.

All their windows were dark. Quiet snow filled the air.
All the Seabees were all dreaming sweet gravel dreams without care

When he came to the first house in the square.
"This is stop number one," The old Grinchy Claus hissed

Then he slunk to the icebox. He took the Seabeess' feast!
He took the Seabee-pudding! He took the roast beast!
He cleaned out that icebox as quick as a flash.
Why, that Grinch even took their last can of Seabee-hash!

Then he stuffed all the food up the chimney with glee.
"And NOW!" grinned the Grinch, "I will make sure no gravel arrives…

And the Grinch grabbed the DSN line, and started to call

When he heard a small sound like the coo of a dove.
He turned around fast, and he saw a small Seabee!
Little Seabee Burke, who was not more than 22.

The Grinch had been caught by this little Seabee daughter
Who'd got out of bed for a cup of cold water.
She stared at the Grinch and said, "Santy Claus, why,
"Why are you taking our Gravel? WHY?"

But, you know, that old Grinch was so smart and so slick
He thought up a lie, and he thought it up quick!

"Why, my sweet little Seabee," the fake Santy Claus lied,
"There's a stone in this gravel, that’s sharp on one side.
"So I'm taking it home to my workshop, my dear.
"I'll fix it up there. Then I'll bring gravel back here."

And his fib fooled the Seabee. Then he patted her head
And he got her a drink and he sent her to bed.
And when Seabee Burke went to bed with her cup,
He went to DSN line and called the gravel convoy off!

Then the last thing he took
Was the log for their fire.
Then he went up the chimney himself, the old liar.
On their walls he left nothing but hooks, and some wire.

And the one speck of food
That he left in the house
Was a crumb that was even too small for a mouse.

Then
He did the same thing
To the other Seabees

Leaving crumbs
Much too small
For the other Seabees' mouses!

It was quarter past dawn...
All the Seabees, still a-bed
All the Seabees, still a-snooze
When he packed up his sled,
Packed it up with their gravel!

"Pooh-pooh to the Seabees!" he was grinch-ish-ly humming.
"They're finding out now that no gravel coming!
"They're just waking up! I know just what they'll do!
"Their mouths will hang open a minute or two
"The all the Seabeess down in Seabee-ville will all cry BOO-HOO!"

"That's a noise," grinned the Grinch,
"That I simply must hear!"
So he paused. And the Grinch put a hand to his ear.
And he did hear a sound rising over the snow.
It started in low. Then it started to grow...

But the sound wasn't sad!
Why, this sound sounded merry!
It couldn't be so!
But it WAS merry! VERY!

He stared down at Seabee-ville!
The Grinch popped his eyes!
Then he shook!
What he saw was a shocking surprise!

Every Seabee down in Seabee-ville, the tall and the small,
Was working! Without any gravel at all!
He HADN'T stopped gravel from coming!
IT CAME!
Somehow or other, it came just the same!

And the Grinch, with his grinch-feet ice-cold in the snow,
Stood puzzling and puzzling: "How could it be so?
It came from the country of Jordan, not local at all,

Those damn Seabees didn’t have to go that far after all!

And he puzzled three hours, `till his puzzler was sore.
Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before!
"Maybe gravel," he thought, "doesn't come from a Marshalling area.
"Maybe gravel...perhaps...means a little bit more!"

And what happened then...?
Well...in Seabee-ville they say
That the Grinch's small heart
Grew three sizes that day!

And the minute his heart didn't feel quite so tight,
He whizzed with his load through the bright morning light
And he brought back the gravel! And the food for the feast!
And he...

...HE HIMSELF...!
The Grinch carved the roast beast!

The Iraq Experience....This Seabees' view and why the MEDIA has no standing.

The picture above shows Seabees from my unit showing their pride in the New England Patriots and being proud of being from New England. Good Stuff.

I have listened to the political wrangling, posturing & all the noise coming from the media regarding the Iraq conflict and the close of combat operations.

I was there in Iraq for the Battle of Fallujah. It was a difficult mission and the Iraqi people needed our help before and after we ousted a ruthless Dictator who brutalized his people, and allowed others (especially his sons) to rape & murder at will.

The key was that we did our duty, we upheld our core values and we had empathy for those who were there who only wanted to live in peace.

The measure of victory that I gained was that we went into Fallujah at the height of the battle with 130 Seabees and when our tour was done, we brought 130 Seabees home safely.

No other measure of success was more important or mattered more to me & my fellow Seabees.

That we were able to help Iraq start on a path toward a better country was important, and the ability to help her citizens cannot be understated, but most importantly, we brought ALL our troops home to their families alive and in one piece.

I'll leave the blathering to the pundits, mainly as they have no standing as they were only observers and they didn't have "skin" in the game. Me & mine did and that is why we can speak with an understanding of what was important and what isn't. The pundits can all just go about their business, thank you very much. They are highly inconsequential and their opinions rendered moot.