Brutally Honest

To my forever valentine

 

With all my love.

A happy update to my step-daughter's hospitalization last fall

By allyHM

Some of you may remember Mr. BH posting about my oldest step-daughter when she nearly died this past September. She is fully recovered now, and today, her 8-year-old son was honored by Fire Station 30 that responded when he called 911 for his mother.

Our local paper already has the story up:

When Stephen Flanner's mother suffered a severe asthma attack in September, the 7-year-old boy ran to his grandmother's home nearby, but not before he called 911.

His mother, Kristin Metcalf, spent the next four days on a respirator in a drug-induced coma and has since recovered. But the outcome, authorities say, would have been catastrophic if not for Stephen's actions.

"He called and actually told them what was going on. We knew what to expect when we got there," said Rob Smiley, one of the Marion County Fire Rescue paramedics who responded to the call in Summerfield.

Stephen, now 8, was recognized by firefighters Tuesday at a ceremony at Spruce Creek Station 30. That station, along with South Forest Station 6, responded to his 911 call.

We are very proud grandparents (and very thankful parents).

When should you not mind being flipped off?

When Glenn Reynolds is flippin' an Instabirdie:

No road rage after that flip. Just gratitude.

Thanks again Glenn.

"I couldn’t help wonder how many lay alone"

A Soldier's Silent Night

Twas 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 dwelling did live.

As I looked all around, a strange sight to see,
no tinsel, no presents, not even a tree.
No stockings on the mantel, just boots filled with sand.
On the wall hung pictures of a far distant lands.

Medals and badges, awards of every kind,
a sobering thought came alive in my mind.
This house was different, it was dark, it was dreary.
I had found the home of a soldier,
I could see that most clearly

The soldier lay sleeping, silent,alone,
curled up on the floor in this one bedroom home.
His face was so gentle, the room in such disorder
Not at all how I picture the United States Soldier,
Was this the hero, of whom I’d just read?
Curled up on a poncho, a floor for a bed?

Then I realized the other families that I saw this night, 
owed their lives to soldiers, who were willing to fight.
In the morning round the world children would play
Grown-ups would celebrate a bright Christmas day.
But they all enjoyed freedom, each month of the year,
because of soldiers like the one lying here.

I couldn’t help wonder how many lay alone,
on a cold Christmas Eve, in a lands far from home.
The very thought brought a tear to my eye.
I dropped to my knees and I started to cry.

The soldier awakened,I heard his 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,
but I couldn’t control it, I continued to weep.
I kept watch for hours so silent and still.
as both of us shivered from the cold night’s chill.

I didn’t want to leave him on that cold dark night,
this guardian of honour so willing to fight.
Then the soldier rolled over, and in a voice soft and pure,
He whispered,“Carry on, Santa, it’s Christmas Day, all's secure.”
One look at my watch and I knew he was right,
Merry Christmas my friend, may God bless you this night.

 

Happy Thanksgiving 2011

Hoping you each have a most happy thanksgiving and that you'll pause to give thanks to He who gives us reason to do so.

Happy Thanksgiving to all... and especially to those of you who loyally stop by.  You know who you are.

The Joy of Thanksgiving

By BroKen

Happy Thanksgiving! Are you happy? I hope so. If you've got plenty to eat that can be a happy time, even when too much indulgence causes indigestion. If you are surrounded by the warmth of friends and family that can be a happy time, even when Uncle Clem starts a political rant and sprays a little spittle on the cranberry sauce. If you are happy, I am happy for you. Still, you are probably aware that there are people around us who are not happy this Thanksgiving. Of course, there are the lonely without family or friends who will take them in. There are also those who despite our best efforts to supply a festive meal this time of year, are still in want. But today I am thinking of those who have all they need to eat and have a lot of family and friends, yet still find themselves unhappy.

Some have lost possessions or the means to procure possessions during this season. Things on which they depended; a job or a house or a car are gone, and the future is uncertain. The stuff they leaned on has crumbled around them. Perhaps it has even fallen on their heads. It is hard to be happy when things you need are crushed.

Others have lost loved ones and even though there are other faces at the feast, the fact that one face is missing keeps coming to mind. The laughter and love of others, instead of lifting the spirits, reminds them of their loss and sours what would otherwise be a happy time. It is hard to be happy in the midst of pain.

Look, I'm not trying to bring you down. If you are happy today, go on back to the turkey and football (you might want to skip the cranberry sauce if Uncle Clem is around!) But to those who are not happy today, for whatever reason, read on.

You should know that happiness is over-rated. Because it is determined by circumstances; the things that “happen” to us, happiness is always a temporary state. But if happiness is temporary that means unhappiness is temporary, too.

Realizing that happiness and unhappiness are temporary states can help lead us into a much more permanent state of joy. Joy is not dependent on circumstances. Joy looks back on what was with gratitude for the good. Joy also looks ahead with hope for the good things that will be. So, even if you are unhappy about the way things are now, you can still be joyful. Really, you can!

Thanksgiving is the way to joy. If you've recently lost something important, remember what made it good and thank God that you had it for a while. Thanksgiving doesn't make you happy, it gives you joy. So, may the Joy of Thanksgiving be yours today!

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is will of God in Christ Jesus for you. I Thessalonians 5:16-18

A night to remember

By Locutisprime

This was posted on Justin Timberlake's facebook page yesterday. I think it is worthy of posting and re-posting. It is so refreshing to see a young celebrity stepping forward with a willingness to celebrate his country and its military and those serving in harms way. Semper Fi Justin, you are now one of my new BBF's and I am a new admirer from the class of old peeps who usually never looked that closely at you in the past.  I am watching now.

To all my family, friends and fans,

I'm writing this out to all of you after attending an event that turned out to be one of the most moving evenings I've ever had...

I had the honor and privilege last night of attending The Basic School Instructor Battalion 236th Marine Corps Birthday Ball at the Greater Richmond Convention Center with Corporal Kelsey DeSantis...

I knew I would have an evening that I wouldn't forget... Something I could tell my friends about. What I didn't know was how moved I would be by the whole experience.

I've always been very vocal about my support of our Armed Forces. I've always felt like they offered us the opportunity to live our lives freely without the fear that so many other nations have to endure still to this day. And, they do it without asking for anything in return. I had this very feeling walking into this dinner. So, to say I was stoked to be there would be more than accurate.

As the evening got started, I met Kelsey and we made our way to the ballroom where the Marine Ball was going to be held. I stopped in an area designated as a kind of VIP for some of the officers, I think. I took some photos and shook hands with some of the men and women who take such great care of our freedom. It was nice to be there already.

Then, we moved to the ballroom where the dinner was set up... For a short while, I had the opportunity to sit with Kelsey, get to know her and get a tiny glimpse into what her life as a Marine was like. She talked about her training in mixed martial arts with a passion, a discipline, and a respect. It reminded me of how I hear my favorite athletes talk about their sport or, how I hear my favorites among my peers in music and film talk about their craft.

We sat in this huge ballroom and were the only ones there as, we had beaten the rest of the soldiers who were on their way in. So, we got a decent amount of time to chat before the ceremony started.

She seemed to me to be so humble and honest... Very cool. She also simultaneously seemed like she was nervous about the whole evening and if I was going to enjoy myself. "Are you ok?" she asked 2 or 3 times. "I hope you are having fun. I know you will once my crew of friends get here to the table." I have to tell you, it's not every day that I meet a 23 year old girl and she's more worried about if I'm having fun or if I'm comfortable! It hit me all of a sudden that these were the type of people that look after us and our freedom... Humble, concerned for others before themselves... This was the type of person our Marine Corps was building. I was really blown away.

It seemed like all of a sudden I was surrounded by her great friends and fellow Marines as the closest ones to her made their way to our table. She again assured me that I was going to love all of her friends--that they were a "kick-ass" group of people.

She couldn't have been more right. I laughed and laughed with all of them almost immediately and felt very close to them... They reminded me of my friends (the ones I like, at least). Cool, un-affected, and real. This was going to be a fun night.

What happened then took me by such surprise that I was almost brought to tears. In fact, our whole table was...

They started the ceremony. And, the next thing I knew I was watching a video about Pearl Harbor/WW2 and the September 11 terrorist attacks... It was a video with some first-hand accounts from some Marines who were there... Telling their stories of the sights and sounds of war and rescue. So vivid and real. So honest but, so filled with a sense of compassion and adoration for this wonderful country. They spoke with a pride that only they could have acquired through their experience as a US Marine. There was a common theme that I began to notice as well... No matter what the situation. No matter how dire...

They were there FIRST.

There on the front lines.

No questions... Just reaction.

While this tribute was playing, you could hear a pin drop. It was a surreal moment to be in that room with so many of our great Marines who have such a different type of connection to those stories. One that we who don't serve will NEVER understand. It was familial. It was like they were listening to their own blood brothers. I glanced around the room at young men and women, spouses and soldiers... At kids way beyond their years, really... All so deeply entwined. Not just by battle, even though we who have never endured anything remotely close to those experiences and have NO position to comment on... But, by having such life changing experiences through them and to not ever waver in their love and respect for our homeland. That's what I saw. A faith in us that has been tested time and time again. And, through it all, NEVER a drop of doubt.

I was truly moved.

The evening went on and we ate and took photos and drank and made jokes.

There were some speeches that prompted many "huahs" and applause. There was laughs. We even danced a little.

I felt so proud to be there. I felt like I was getting a chance to be among my heroes. It's funny too because a lot of them are SO younger than me.

The evening wound down for me as, I had to catch a plane. But, I have to say that I had so much fun with Kelsey and her crew of friends. They were just really nice people... Classy Marines but, not without a great sense of humor. Real individuals but, not without a sense of community.

I said my goodbyes to them but, not before I got a chance to tell them how much the evening had meant to me. They made me feel so welcome to be there and I'll never forget it.

We all have our own individual views on war... But, doesn't that speak to just another thing that makes this country so special?? The fact that we can all wake up every morning and BE individual with a pure sense of freedom..? But, one thing that can't be argued is that it's because of the people who VOLUNTEER their lives to make sure that it's protected at all times. And, like I said before, doing so while asking for nothing in return...

To all of you that serve every day for us... Ensuring our freedom, I say: My deepest gratitude to you. I've met so many of my heroes... From Michael Jordan to Michael Jackson. And, nothing makes me feel more honor and pride than when I get to meet one of you. Last night changed my life and I will never forget it.

To people like me who get to benefit from this type of person... One with character and courage. With strength and bravery. With humility and honor... I say: Send your thanks. Do it however you can. Write a letter, type an email... Hell, buy 'em a beer next time you run into someone from our Armed Forces in a bar. When they say thank you for that drink that cost you 3 bucks, they'll mean it. They won't take it for granted and, they won't forget it.

Thank you Corporal Kelsey DeSantis. Thank you for inviting me. And, thank you for being my hero.

- Justin Timberlake

Cpl. Kelsey De Santis and her date Justin Timberlake applaud guest speaker retired Sgt. Maj. Ralph Larsen at the Instructor Battalion Marine Corps Ball on Nov. 12. The Corps celebrated their 236th birthday on Nov. 10.

Thank you (UPDATED)

Happy Veteran's day to all who've served, all who've carried the burden of liberty on their shoulders for us, all who've made our burdens lighter by that carrying... a special tip of the hat to my dear old man, my Dad the Air Force vet who makes me proud... and to my youngest brother Mike, once a Coastie.

A heart-felt thanks to the both of you...  and much gratitude to every person who has served sacrificially in the name of freedom.

UPDATE: My Dad writes, in response to his kids Veterans Day good wishes:

To all my children, just to let you know I appreciate ur words of tnx. And to let you all know how extremely proud I am of the way you have conducted ur lives, the way you have made something of ur selves in ur lives and not LAYING AROUND IN THE STREETS ASKING FOR SOMEONE ELSE TO GIVE YOU A HANDOUT AND DESTROYING THE COUNTRY THAT ALL WHO SERVED WERE WORKING FOR. TNX KIDS I LOVE YOU ALL. JOHN D.

Heh... the apple didn't fall far from that tree.

236th Birthday of the U.S.M.C.

By tim, The Godless Heathen

Gen. James F. Amos, Commandant of the Marine Corps and Sgt. Maj. Micheal P. Barrett, Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps present the 236th Marine Corps birthday message and honor the 10th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and the 70th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, and how the events shaped the lives of Marines past and present.

Semper Fidelis and Happy Birthday my fellow Devil Dogs!

Ocala Honor Flight – Mission IV

By allyHM (Brutally Honest's newest guest blogger - welcome her!).

On Thursday, October 27, 2011, I was blessed and privileged to fly on Mission IV with Ocala Honor Flight.

Honor Flight is a national network of local “hubs” whose goal is to take every veteran who is willing and able to Washington, D.C, to see THEIR memorial. Right now, the focus is on World War II veterans due to their age and the fact that the WWII Memorial didn’t open until 2004. Most of these guys (and a few gals) would not be able to go without the support of Honor Flight, either due to finances or, most commonly, age and infirmity. Ocala has been flying missions since 2009. Mission IV took 99 veterans and 74 support personnel: flight coordinator, two logistics coordinators, two physicians, six paramedics, and handful of nurses and nurse practitioners, a respiratory therapist and a host of other volunteer escorts. The escorts and most of the “staff” paid their own way for the flight at $500 each. The veterans are not allowed to pay their way. The total cost of this Mission was $80,000, including a charter plane, three charter buses in D.C., food and keepsakes and other miscellaneous items. All of the money was raised in the local community.

Our day started at Ocala Airport which is large enough to land any aircraft ever built. Set-up staff arrived at 4:00am, escorts at 5:00am and veterans at 6:00am. After making our way through TSA, we took off at 7:47am. Loading 99 85+- year-olds, some with wheelchairs and needing to be literally carried up the stairs into the airplane by our paramedics, takes time. That was one of my jobs: to keep the loading going as smoothly as possible, mostly by loudly saying (over and over), “Get in, find a seat and get your fanny it in!” Our Flight Coordinator, Trey Adams, had a fantastic seating chart, color coded by bus - red, white and blue - so that made it fairly easy to coordinate as each veteran or support person wore a red, white or blue hat, and one of the assistant bus captains stood in the aisle with his copy of the seating chart making sure these guys sat where they were supposed to.

The flight up seemed short despite a medical emergency that a little oxygen we brought along took care of, and we were served a nice breakfast on the plane. We landed at Baltimore Washington International, and were greeted by the airport firefighters giving the plane a water curtain salute as we taxied between to water tankers (an honor usually only given to a retiring or deceased firefighter). After some minor glitches getting everyone and everything (50 wheelchairs, for example) off the plane and up to the terminal exit, we headed off in our color-coded buses. Forty-five minutes and a boxed Arby’s lunch later, we were at the WWII Memorial in a bit of a drizzle. Thankfully, Trey had the foresight to buy 176 rain ponchos. After a special performance of the President’s Drum and Fife band, an address by an active duty Lt. Colonel, and a brief address by Congressmen Cliff Stearns and Rich Nugent, we had about 40 minutes to just wander around the memorial. Most of the guys really seemed to experience some fairly intense emotion at the star wall, where each star on the wall represents 100 men who didn’t return. They seemed almost reverential while looking at this enormous memorial. As I looked around the oval, I could see escorts heads bent down to hear what their wheelchair veteran had to say. I heard several veterans telling their escort about the men they knew who were part of the number who didn’t return. I saw more than a few wipe away a tear. What an amazing way to bring closure to that time in these men’s lives.

After that, we loaded back up on the buses and headed to the Lincoln and Korean War Memorials which are right next to each other. I rode on the blue bus, and I asked a couple of the guys near me what they thought of the WWII Memorial. “Just fantastic!” said one. “Very moving,” said another. They all seemed in awe, humbled and grateful – all at the same time – that the country honored their sacrifice by building that memorial. Most of them were fairly quiet on the blue bus, having that faraway look one gets when one is remembering something from long ago.

A very short ride later, we were at the next stop and being unloaded to head to the steps of the Lincoln Memorial for a group photo. That was a bit like “herding cats” but we did get everyone together in fairly short order. Earlier, at the WWII Memorial, we found a wreath that had been delivered there by the man who started Ocala Honor Flight, Morrie Dean, who stayed home this time and organized the welcome back party (more on that later) – red, white and blue roses with a ribbon that read, “Ocala Honor Flight 2011. That wreath traveled with us to the Lincoln Memorial and was put in front of the group for the photo, along with the folded, encased flag that represented those who did not live to join us. After the photo, everyone was allowed to look around on their own for about 40 minutes. A very small number went over to the Vietnam Memorial, but most visited the Korean Memorial. A number of our guys were career vets who served in both WWII and Korea. We even had one that was active from WWII through Vietnam. I moved our wreath to the exit point at the Korean Memorial, and a number of guys had their photo taken with it.

Back onto the buses we went, and we were off to Arlington, snacks and water on the way. Everyone was a bit more relaxed and talkative on this leg. We had to wait about 10 minutes at Arlington as buses aren’t allowed in until 3:30pm so that they can conduct funerals – 25 to 27 per day. Even so, after we were allowed in, we drove by a funeral procession as it was coming to an end near the gravesite – a horse-drawn caisson indicating an officer’s funeral. The blue bus got rather quiet at that point and everyone tried to get a look. Once we arrived at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Trey was met by the relief sergeant, last name Skywalker (I am not making that up). He asked Trey to have the group assemble after the changing of the guard so that he could speak to them briefly. Along with about 200 other people, including a middle school group, we watched in reverential silence as the changing of the guard ceremony proceeded. Then, after the middle school presented their wreath, two of our guys were selected to lay the wreath we had carried around all day at the Tomb. Taps was played. So very, very moving – in fact, I’m tearing up again now while remembering that. Our two guys stood there, at attention, saluting alongside the escort guard.

Now, I have to relate to you that immediately after, one of those two guys – 88 years old - missed the first step going back up the steps with the escort guard and fell over backwards…HARD. There was a loud collective gasp of the 400 or so people who were watching. Our six paramedics, our medical director (an ER doctor) and our chaplain (my Anglican priest) were on him in under 15 seconds. Fr. Don prayed, the doctor did a quick neurological check and the paramedics sat him up. He had some bleeding from the back of his head which they patched up quickly, but he was otherwise fine! A bit of a headache, he said, but he had no other symptoms. Of course, the paramedics lifted him into a wheelchair after that just to be safe. The first thing he said as he was settled into the chair: “Where’s my cap?” He wanted his Honor Flight hat back, even if he couldn’t wear it. He waved that cap to the crowd, which was cheering at this point, as he was wheeled away. Normally, the guard on duty will step off of the carpet and quiet the crowd with an admonishment for not maintaining silence, but not this time. The guards were just wonderful through this little situation.

After the excitement, everyone gathered at the back of the Tomb pavilion where Sgt. Skywalker spoke to them. He spoke about what it takes to be a guard at the Tomb. It truly is an elite group. He then told these guys that he appreciates it when people thank him for his service, but that THEY are the reason he does what he does, that THEY are his heroes, his inspiration and the reason he loves his job. He openly admitted that he has a “soft spot” for WWII vets, and he didn’t want a single one of them to leave with allowing him to shake their hands. One of the most moving events of the day occurred at this point. As Sgt. Skywalker was making his way down the front row of wheelchairs shaking hands, one of these 85+ year old white veterans stood up out of his wheelchair and opened his arms to this 20-something-year-old black soldier for a hug. A hug! Sgt. Skywalker broke into a huge grin and reciprocated gladly, the two of them embracing in a warm, manly hug. Tears are rolling down my cheeks at this very moment as I type this (and again as I proofread it). It was truly a beautiful moment. Right then, the sun – which had been absent all day – broke through for a few brief moments. Fitting. Thank you for that, Lord!

Back onto the buses we went. Another snack and another bottle of water, and a long drive back to BWI thanks to the 5:00pm traffic in and around D.C. We got through TSA quickly and loaded up again, this time not so much color coded but making sure to have our head injury guy and our least mobile guys sitting near the front and near paramedics. We had a hot dinner served to us on the plane: meatloaf, mashed potatoes and peas & carrots, along with a small tossed salad, a roll and a small piece of lemon pie. I thought it was a very American menu and probably “comfort food” for a good number of our guys. I sat next to a veteran on the way home, and Art and I talked quite a bit. He is a rarity, a marine who made it home alive. He told me that he’s actually a little bit younger than the rest of the guys because he enlisted at “16-and-a-half.” According to Art, they were so desperate to recruit marines due to the devastation among their ranks that you could enlist at that age with your parents’ permission. I asked him, “How was your day?” He said that it was fantastic, and he couldn’t get over how organized the whole trip was. He spoke about how tough it was emotionally at the WWII Memorial but that he wouldn’t trade that experience for the world. He choked up a couple of times talking to me on the way home, remembering those that didn’t make it and remembering how it felt to be so far from home but doing what needed to be done.

We got back to Ocala at about 10:30pm. Art and I happened to be on the port side of the plane, so we were able to see the terminal as we taxied up under another water curtain salute by local firefighters in tanker trucks. Flags waving. Music playing. Kids on their parents’ shoulders. What a sight! Art was waving through the window, trying to spot his wife in the crowd of what appeared to be about 1000 people – and this was at 10:30pm on a Thursday! As we unloaded the plane, there were local active duty personnel from the National Guard Armory standing in salute on either side of the stairs. They stood in salute for the entire time it took for the plane to unload, including the time it took to literally carry some of these guys off – more than the number carried onto the plane earlier that morning. City and County commissioners were at the bottom of the stairs to greet each veteran as he exited the plane. Veterans were directed to their color-coded table to pick up their keepsakes: a photo montage of their current photo and an old photo of them in uniform, a letter from their congressman and Mission IV dog tags. Then, they were greeted by their family members – wives, children, grandchildren – and went home.

Truly an experience I will never forget and an inspiration to keep plugging away as I work to raise funds for an inaugural Honor Flight Mission in April for WWII heroes that live in the area where I work: Lake and Sumter Counties, FL (Villages Honor Flight). These men and women deserve it, and it’s the least I can do.

You can find out more about Honor Flight at the national website.