Iraqi Security Forces take control of An NajafAbout three months after decisive combat operations ended in Iraq’s Najaf province, the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit commander declared today that Iraqi security forces have formally assumed local control. Since fighting ended Aug. 28, no major incidents have occurred despite reduced U.S. security operations in the city and [...]
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Posted in Iraq, Military, War on Terror • Comments Off

in “Heartland”. This story is typical of the folks from North Dakota and typifies why I love the place. Yes, more than just because the lovely wife comes from there.Trailblazers congratulate each other on the first half achievements. (Photo by Sgt. Lee Johnston, C Company, 141st Engineer Combat Battalion.)Players: Cody Hertz, Bismarck; Robbie Hertz, Mott; [...]
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Posted in Iraq, Military, War on Terror • Comments Off
Defense LinkWASHINGTON, Nov. 24, 2004 — “I chose to serve in the Marine Corps because ithas a ‘brotherhood’ unlike that of any of the other services,” said Staff Sgt.Bradley J. Cress.As a teenager, Cress was fascinated by the Marine Corps’ gung-ho attitude, esprit de corps, high public esteem, fame, glory, loyalty and honor. Now 27, [...]
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National GuardSgt. Angela Magnuson, Sgt. Kristen Pagel and Sgt. Jessica FisherAngel 1: Sgt. Jessica FisherFisher grew up in Jamestown, N.D. She lives in Fargo, where she is studying to be a dental hygienist. She has plans to marry and raise a family when her combat duty is done. Fisher’s father also serves in the North [...]
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Tags: North Dakota Army National Guard, Sgt. Angela Magnuson, Sgt. Jessica Fisher, Sgt. Kristen Pagel
Posted in Heroes, Military, Our Best: Military Women, War on Terror • Comments Off
skippy linked my Days of Yore page [THANKS!] and his post produced a nice comment from one of his frequent commenters. I’m going to post it, and my reply, becuase I think it’s a good discussion to ponder. Thank you skippy for linking to these–it doesn’t go through Chuck’s usual heavy-on-bandwidth flag waving. Or thank [...]
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Posted in American History, Blogging, Commentary, History, Original writing, Other Bloggers • Comments Off
This’ll probably be the last entry until Friday, at least. We’ll be going to my sister’s for Thanksgiving, as we usually do. My brother is not schlepping his brood up from Maryland, for which I do not blame him one iota.OK, so a short list of things that I am thankful for this year [not [...]
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Posted in Me and Mine • Comments Off
Devil Dog combat engineers make things go boom!USMCCpl. Michael R. Emans, a combat engineer assigned to 3rd Platoon, Company A, 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 7, used just about every trick of the trade to open stubborn doors, gates and walls during an all out assault on the insurgents hiding in the [...]
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Posted in Iraq, Marines, Military, War on Terror • Comments Off
USMC’I knew when it was the 10th because my girlfriend’s is on the fourth and my dad’s is on the eighth,’ said Lance Cpl. Jonah Harper, a mortarman attached to 3rd platoon. ‘Being over here on the Marine Corps birthday and freeing the city of Fallujah from insurgents means a lot to me,’ said the [...]
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Posted in Marines, Military • Comments Off
Courage and Grace
Nov 28th, 2004
I posted an article entitled THEY CALL THEM “CHARLIE’S ANGELS” from the National Guard site and it became the most linked and most commented upon post I’ve ever had. It’s the moving story of three women from North Dakota who are serving as combat medics with Charlie Company, a unit of the North Dakota National [...]
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Posted in Commentary, Heroes, Iraq, Military, Original writing, War on Terror • Comments Off