Military Milestones Blog

There are many reasons that military careers come to an end.  Some of those reasons might be age, health, other priorities but for General McChrystal his retirement came to an end due to a journalist who chose to print a story that the General and his staff thought was off the record.  This is a sad day for our country when a good soldier who has much to give can no longer serve.

“Gen. Stanley McChrystal, who commanded the International Security and Assistance Force in Afghanistan until brought down by a controversial article in Rolling Stone magazine, retired Friday evening in a bittersweet ceremony at Fort McNair near Washington, DC.

Army Chief of Staff Gen. George Casey said McChrystal was “a remarkable Soldier and leader [with] a truly remarkable career in both peace and war,” and Defense Secretary Robert Gates called him “one of the finest men-at-arms this country has ever produced.”

McChrystal acknowledged to the 400-plus troops, family members, friends, and officials that timing of his retirement was not his idea.

“Look, this has the potential to be an awkward and sad occasion,” he said. “My service did not end as I would have wished.”

McChrystal was recalled from Afghanistan in June and subsequently fired on the heels of a Rolling Stone article that that included quotes – most from members of his staff – that spoke disparagingly of Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, and other administration officials. McChrystal was replaced by Army Gen. David Petraeus, the general largely credited with turning around the war in Iraq in 2007 who went on to be commander of U.S. Central Command.”

The American People are so very grateful for the service of our Men and Women in Uniform.  We know the sacrifices that are made by these brave and dedicated folks to protect and preserve the freedoms that we all enjoy.  For the first time in this current war a living person is  to receive his nation’s award for bravery to protect his fellow soldiers.

“U.S. officials say the military has sent the White House a recommendation to award the Medal of Honor to a Soldier for bravery in Afghanistan, which could make him the first living recipient since the Vietnam War.

The military says the Army Soldier ran through a hail of enemy fire to repel Taliban fighters in a 2007 battle, saving the lives of a half dozen other men. Officials spoke on condition of anonymity and declined to name the Soldier because he is still under consideration for the honor.

The nation’s highest award for valor has been awarded only six times in the nine years of war in Afghanistan and Iraq - and all were awarded posthumously.”

It is difficult being far from home. Most of us like to travel but when the travel is over it is always special to be heading home. Being away from “home” for extended periods of time is an additional hardship. We all love our homes and all the joys that family life brings to each of us. Those familiar places and customs we take for granted when we are home. The special place we like to shop or that favorite restaurant we enjoy going to eat. When we are away from those simple pleasures it is a difficult thing. As we come to this great holiday -the 4th of July. Let us remember those men and women who are serving our country far away from “home”. Lets appreciate them and think of ways to support them and encourage them while they are in harms way. They are the reason we have this great holiday to celebrate. Their service has given this great country and those of us who live in it wonderful freedoms and enjoyment which they are “Away” from. We want to say thanks to the men and women who give of themselves to make home a special and important place for us all.

In these days of fast news and embedded journalists information was given and written which caused a breakdown in the chain of command of one of our countries’ leading generals.  Relationships are always a challenge but in the middle of a war miles from home they can become even more difficult.

“U.S. President Barack Obama accepted the resignation of Gen. Stanley McChrystal during a brief meeting at the White House today after a magazine article attributed incendiary comments to him and his staff about the conduct of the war in Afghanistan and some of the civilian leaders who manage it.”

“The president announced in a brief statement from the Rose Garden that he had nominated Central Command’s top officer, Gen. David Petraeus, to succeed McChrystal.”

Our hope is that this disruption will not impact the war negatively.  That our fighting men and women will prevail and they will accomplish the goal that our country has asked them to do.

Having lived for almost 30 years in the State of Washington it is a special place to me.  Many military families retire in the greater Seattle area because of the great military shopping there, medical facilities and other benefits.  Last I counted there was an Army Post, Air Force Base, and several Navy Bases.  It is always great fun to check out what the base, post exchanges have on hand!

“The US Senate passed a military construction bill Tuesday that includes nearly $399 million for bases in Washington State, with about one-third of the funding targeted for Fort Lewis.”

Now with this additional money being spent at these facilities the advantages to retired and active-duty military will only get better.  Can’t wait to check it all out!  Yeah Washington.

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Active duty members (guard and reserves) and their families can enjoy free admission to many museums during the summer months.  “More than 600 museums in 50 states have signed up so far to participate in Operation Appreciation.”

This is great to see the military family appreciated this way to add places they can go to free of charge.  I love to see ways our country shows appreciation for the sacrifice these families give to all of us.

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“Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation’s service. There are many stories as to its actual beginnings, with over two dozen cities and towns laying claim to being the birthplace of Memorial Day. There is also evidence that organized women’s groups in the South were decorating graves before the end of the Civil War: a hymn published in 1867, “Kneel Where Our Loves are Sleeping” by Nella L. Sweet carried the dedication “To The Ladies of the South who are Decorating the Graves of the Confederate Dead” (Source: Duke University’s Historic American Sheet Music, 1850-1920). While Waterloo N.Y. was officially declared the birthplace of Memorial Day by President Lyndon Johnson in May 1966, it’s difficult to prove conclusively the origins of the day. It is more likely that it had many separate beginnings; each of those towns and every planned or spontaneous gathering of people to honor the war dead in the 1860’s tapped into the general human need to honor our dead, each contributed honorably to the growing movement that culminated in Gen Logan giving his official proclamation in 1868. It is not important who was the very first, what is important is that Memorial Day was established. Memorial Day is not about division. It is about reconciliation; it is about coming together to honor those who gave their all.”

I hope all of us can pause on this Memorial Day Weekend to give thanks for all those men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice so we who are alive can continue to enjoy the freedoms of our wonderful country.  Let us not take these gifts for granted but stop to give appreciation to all who have served to make this nation great.

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Fort Belvoir will be home of new cyber warfare units protecting the nation’s military and civilian network of computers.  “The Army will consolidate 21,000 soldiers in its cyber warfare units under a new unified command led by a three star generl, the Pentagon announced Friday.”

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Military Community Centers are being built to give military families and veterans support services along with important information in their own town.  Information that normally one would need to drive to a military installation to find.  A new community center was establish in Brevard, North Carolina.  “Tucked away at the entrance of the Pisgah National Forest in western North Carolina, this community of about 6,000 residents welcomed the nation’s second Army Strong Community Center during a grand opening ceremony May 15.”

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It is important that military families deal with stresses that can impact relationships within the family.  Where do these families find this help?  When on active duty the Chaplain can be a great source of help and referral to the active duty military family.  If in the Navy or Marine Corp, “The Navy’s Focus, or Families Over Coming Under Stress, aims to reduce stress for the military family. Check out www.focus.org for a list of locations.”

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