In Memory of SPC David Lee Leimbach

CSM Jeff Mellinger is out there still "Walking the Line." He did the longest continuous tour in Iraq that I have ever seen: 33 plus months without a break except for normal leave. And he was seriously out in the red zone. I drove about 4,000 miles with him within Iraq checking on our servicemen and women, Walking the Line, and that was a tiny fraction of the work he did. And so he came back to the United States and is stationed in Washington D.C., but CSM Mellinger's duties have taken him back to Iraq and Afghanistan. I got an email from CSM Mellinger this morning from Afghanistan. He was remembering SPC David Lee Leimbach, the latest Great American to give his life in Afghanistan fighting dark forces that wish to do us great harm. CSM Mellinger had written a private tribute to SPC Leimbach, and I immediately asked if I may publish it so others may see. Just a few minutes ago, I spoke with CSM Mellinger on the phone. He's in Afghanistan Walking the Line right now, and says we are taking the fight to the enemy.

And so here is the private tribute written by CSM Jeff Mellinger in honor of our latest fallen warrior, SPC David Lee Leimbach, who gave his life in our defence:


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Afghanistan


This morning at 0600, we paid final respects to SPC David Lee Leimbach, a Taylor, South Carolina, National Guard soldier killed yesterday in the mountains of Afghanistan.

Just before 0500, an announcement came across the Bagram Airfield PA system for everyone to dress in their combat uniforms and assemble along the road which cuts through the middle of Bagram Air Base.

Little by little, troops from all services and many coalition countries began lining the main street of the base. They stood literally shoulder to shoulder on both sides of the road for nearly a mile.

At about 0530, a USAF C-17 landed (ironically from Charleston, SC), taxied, pulled into a space in front of the formed troops, turning its tail towards them. The ramp dropped, the engines shut down, the crew disembarked and lined up in front of the plane. All down the flight line, warriors stood at parade rest; talking and whispering stopped.

At 0600 on this bright, sunny day, the vehicle bearing the casket, having completed its drive from the mortuary to the airfield, turned onto the airfield. A single soldier walked in front of the vehicle to lead the way.

Along the road leading to the airfield, the troops that lined the road were standing at attention and saluting. On the airfield you could only hear the birds flitting around. In the distance were the sounds of aircraft flying their missions.

Now, the troops on the airfield came to attention and saluted as a bagpipe played Amazing Grace. The color guard moved into position, and those of us assembled near the plane came to attention and saluted.

Two cameramen ran ahead of the vehicle, recording the entire procession, and now the unloading and movement of the casket.

The casket, carried by soldiers of the unit, moved forward to the plane. The band played My Country, Tis of Thee. The casket was loaded on the plane, the senior personnel present (to include five general officers) walked onto the plane behind the casket, and final prayers and remarks were made, then those leaders and casket bearers disembarked.

As the assembled began to move from the site, the crew embarked, the ramp closed, the C-17 taxied and took off, and the fight continued.


I hope the family of this warrior knows that we loved him, too.
From every mountain side, let freedom ring!
Happy Memorial Day

Memorial Day in Afghanistan

Here's a message from someone in Afghanistan who works for USAID.

25 May, Memorial Day

Afghanistan

I work alongside the military near the Pakistan border while we attempt to establish a self-sustaining Afghanistan in between improvised explosive devices (IEDs), rockets and suicide bombers. Just the other day, a suicide bomber shoved a 12 year old boy in front of an Afghan National Army vehicle to force it to stop so he could detonate, murdering soldiers and civilians. A few months ago, a little boy of about 6 years was told to put on a suicide vest and walk up to the gate of a US base. They told the boy that if he pulled the cord, flowers would fall from the sky.

I attend memorials for fallen comrades and weep at the unspeakable loss. It’s not just about the risk they take and the sacrifice they make. It’s not just about the tremendous job they are doing, working with Afghans, building schools and clinics, building stability and trust. It’s about the words that exist in their lexicon that I don’t hear when I’m back in the United States. Words like HONOR, DUTY, and INTEGRITY.

It’s time for the United States to live up to its own commitments, its own traditions and regain our HONOR.

While military and civilians work together to develop a health care system to deliver basic heath services for all Afghans – Americans die because insurance companies deny services.

While we weed out corruption and remove corrupt Afghan officials from office, payoffs in the form of campaign contributions determine what laws are made in the United States, what subsidies are paid and where your tax dollars go.

While we build an education system that unites Afghans with a common body of knowledge and prepares them for a better future, the US education system is allowed to fracture and fall apart due to lack of investment.

While we build Afghanistan’s public infrastructure to enable private sector growth and development, the US infrastructure of road systems, education systems, policy and regulation are allowed to crumble due to lack of investment and greed.

While we install solar lights and other energy saving improvements to Afghan marketplaces, the US spends human lives and trillions of dollars chasing oil instead of investing in research for alternative energy sources.

While we build community transparency into all our projects to prevent corruption, the US is increasingly ruled by decisions made behind locked doors.

While we create an independent media system to facilitate the free exchange of ideas and promote democracy, media monopolies in the US determine what Americans are allowed to see and hear.

While we struggle to establish due process and rule of law, US government officials meet to discuss acceptable forms of torture and prisoners are held without trial.

While civics programs instill concepts of civil responsibility and participation in a national governing process, decisions that affect millions of lives in the US are made by the dollar.

Nation building begins at home.

Calvin & Hobbes - Week of May 26th

http://www.gocomics.com/calvinandhobbes/2008/05/26/

http://www.gocomics.com/calvinandhobbes/2008/05/27/

http://www.gocomics.com/calvinandhobbes/2008/05/28/

http://www.gocomics.com/calvinandhobbes/2008/05/29/

http://www.gocomics.com/calvinandhobbes/2008/05/30/

http://www.gocomics.com/calvinandhobbes/2008/05/31/

http://www.gocomics.com/calvinandhobbes/2008/06/01/

Q&A with General John Abizaid

This is the General who was the chief of the US Central Command from 2003 to 2007, overseeing US military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

http://dallasmorningviewsblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2008/05/point-of-contac.html

In darkness, a child's love shines bright

Excellent column by Rod Dreher of the Dallas News about hope and a 4-year-old.

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/opinion/columnists/rdreher/stories/051808dnedidreher.6c2fc6d.html

Teacher Arrested

New York, NY – A public teacher was arrested
today at John F. Kennedy International Airport as
he attempted to board a flight while in
possession of a ruler, a protractor, a set
square, a slide rule, and a calculator.

At a morning press conference, Attorney General
Alberto Gonzales said he believes the man is a
member of the notorious Al-gebra movement. He
did not identify the man, who has been charged by
the FBI with carrying weapons of math instruction.

"Al-gebra is a problem for us," Gonzales
said. "They desire solutions by means and
extremes, and sometimes go off on tangents in a
search of absolute value. They use secret code
names like "x" and "y" and refer to themselves as
"unknowns," but we have determined they belong to
a common denominator of the axis of medieval with
coordinates in every country. As the Greek
philanderer Isosceles used to say, "There are three sides to every triangle.""

When asked to comment on the arrest, President
Bush said, "If God had wanted us to have better
weapons of math instruction, He would have given
us more fingers and toes." White House aides
told reporters they could not recall a more
intelligent or profound statement by the President.

Calvin & Hobbes - Week of May 19th

http://www.gocomics.com/calvinandhobbes/2008/05/19/

http://www.gocomics.com/calvinandhobbes/2008/05/20/

http://www.gocomics.com/calvinandhobbes/2008/05/21/

http://www.gocomics.com/calvinandhobbes/2008/05/22/

http://www.gocomics.com/calvinandhobbes/2008/05/23/

http://www.gocomics.com/calvinandhobbes/2008/05/24/

http://www.gocomics.com/calvinandhobbes/2008/05/25/

Video Time!

Here is a collection of videos I've saved over several weeks. These are the cream of the crop. Enjoy!

Most of these play with Windows Media.

Bad A$$ Texas Rabbit
This is a great video about a rabbit and a snake.
http://paulw.gray.googlepages.com/Bad-assTexasrabbit.wmv

Fastest Gun Ever
Can you draw and fire this fast?

http://paulw.gray.googlepages.com/FastestGunEver-bobmunden.wmv

Childproof Drawer
Another good video about a boy and his dog.
http://paulw.gray.googlepages.com/ChildproofDrawer.wmv

No Frills Airline
Here's a humorous look at a slimmed-down airline offering.
http://paulw.gray.googlepages.com/No_Frills_Airline.wmv

Red State Update
This is a political video panning both sides. It does contain some bad language. Very funny!
http://paulw.gray.googlepages.com/Red_State_Update-Video.wmv

Snoopy and Friends
This one plays with Powerpoint Viewer.
http://paulw.gray.googlepages.com/SNOOPY.pps

We Thank You
A salute to our Armed Forces men and women. Another Powerpoint Viewer play.

http://paulw.gray.googlepages.com/WeThankU1.pps

Pets, Please Read!

To be posted VERY LOW on the refrigerator door - nose height.

Dear Dogs and Cats:

The dishes with the paw print are yours and contain your food. The other dishes are mine and contain my food. Please note, placing a paw print in the middle of my plate and food does not stake a claim for it becoming your food and dish, nor do I find that aesthetically pleasing in the slightest.

The stairway was not designed by NASCAR and is not a racetrack. Beating me to the bottom is not the object. Tripping me doesn 't help because I fall faster than you can run.

I cannot buy anything bigger than a king sized bed. I am very sorry about this. Do not think I will continue sleeping on the couch to ensure your comfort. Dogs and cats can actually curl up in a ball when they sleep. It is not necessary to sleep perpendicular to each other stretched out to the fullest extent possible. I also know that sticking tails straight out and having tongues hanging out the other end to maximize space is nothing but sarcasm.

For the last time, there is not a secret exit from the bathroom. If by some miracle I beat you there and manage to get the door shut, it is not necessary to claw, whine, meow, and try to turn the knob or get your paw under the edge and try to pull the door open. I must exit through the same door I entered. Also, I have been using the bathroom for years -- canine or feline attendance is not required.

The proper order is kiss me, then go smell the other dog or cat's butt. I cannot stress this enough!

To pacify you, my dear pets, I have posted the following message on our front door:

To All Non-Pet Owners Who Visit & Like to Complain About Our Pets:

1 They live here. You don't.
2. If you don' t want their hair on your clothes, stay off the furniture. (That's why they call it 'fur'niture.)
3. I like my pets a lot better than I like most people.
4. To you, it's an animal. To me, he/she is an adopted son/daughter who is short, hairy, walks on all fours and doesn't speak clearly.

Remember: In many ways, dogs and cats are better than kids because they:

1. Eat less
2. Don't ask for money all the time
3. Are easier to train
4. Normally come when called
5. Never ask to drive the car
6. Don't hang out with drug-using friends
7. Don't smoke or drink
8. Don't have to buy the latest fashions
9. Don't want to wear your clothes
10. Don't need a 'gazillion ' dollars for college.

And finally,

11. If they get pregnant, you can sell their children.

Thank you, Jeni.

Don't Mess with Farm Kids

A young boy comes down for
breakfast. Since they live
on a farm, his mother asks
if he has done his chores.
'Not yet,' said the little boy.
His mother tells him no breakfast
until he does his chores.

Well, he's a little ticked off
so when he feeds the chickens,
he kicks a chicken. When he feeds
the cows, he kicks a cow.
When he feeds the pigs, he kicks a pig.

He goes back in for breakfast and
his mother gives him a bowl of dry cereal.

'How come I don't get any eggs
and bacon, and why don't I have
any milk in my cereal?' he asks.

'Well,' his mother says, 'I saw you
kick a chicken, so you don't get
any eggs for a week. I saw you
kick the pig, so you don't get
any bacon for a week either.
I saw you kick the cow so for
a week you aren't getting any milk.'

Just then, his father comes down
for breakfast and kicks the cat
halfway across the kitchen.

The little boy looks up at his
mother with a smile, and says,
'You gonna tell him or should I?'
-------------------------------
Thank you, Snuffy.

The Dash

Here's a wonderful video with beautiful pictures and an uplifting message.

http://www.dashpoemmovie.com/

Thank you, Lou Ann.

Battle Hymn Rendition

If you missed hearing the US Army Band and Chorus welcome Pope Benedict XVI at the White House Rose Garden ceremony on 15 April, get a load of these high school kids. One of the fathers recorded it, added some graphic enhancements to the recording, and posted it on the web. The song, of course, is the "Battle Hymn of the Republic."

http://www.greatdanepromilitary.com/Battle%


Thank you, Jeanette, and Larry.

New book says evangelicals' numbers are dwindling

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/religion/stories/DN-relwicker_10met.ART.South.Edition1.467feed.html

Comments?

Patches the Horse!

View this video to see Patches do things you won't believe! These cowboys have WAY too much time on their hands!

http://paulw.gray.googlepages.com/UnbelievalbeHorse_11.wmv

Dad, can your horses do these things?

Thanks to Ron for this post. It opens with Windows Media software.

These Are My Credentials

This is a must-view for anyone interested in the military and war in America. It has great quotes about war and matching pictures.

http://paulw.gray.googlepages.com/Thesearemycredentials.pdf

Thanks to Aunt Dottie for this!

This is a large 4MB file that opens with Adobe Acrobat. It will take a while if you're using dial-up.

I was there

It is so comforting to know that I never walk alone; that the Lord is always there with me to steady me when I stumble.

Just click your mouse on the link. This is really awesome!

http://www.passionup.com/fun/fun4528.htm?e

Thank you, Brenda.

Discussing Race

The Dallas Morning News has a 4 day discussion of racial issues between two of their columnists, Steve Blow and James Ragland. This is day 3, with links to the others.

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/localnews/columnists/sblow/stories/051308dnmetraceday3.3891e82.html

Calvin & Hobbes - Week of May 12th

http://www.gocomics.com/calvinandhobbes/2008/05/12/

http://www.gocomics.com/calvinandhobbes/2008/05/13/

http://www.gocomics.com/calvinandhobbes/2008/05/14/

http://www.gocomics.com/calvinandhobbes/2008/05/15/

http://www.gocomics.com/calvinandhobbes/2008/05/16/

http://www.gocomics.com/calvinandhobbes/2008/05/17/

http://www.gocomics.com/calvinandhobbes/2008/05/18/

Who's Your Daddy?

Thanks to Brenda for this one.
----------------------------------------
This story has been around several times but it's good enough to send again.

A seminary professor was vacationing with his wife in Gatlinburg , TN. One morning, they were eating breakfast at a little restaurant, hoping to enjoy a quiet, family meal. While they were waiting for their food, they noticed a distinguished looking, white-haired man moving from table to table, visiting with the guests. The professor leaned over and whispered to his wife, 'I hope he doesn't come over here.' But sure enough, the man did come over to their table.

'Where are you folks from?' he asked in a friendly voice. ¡Oklahoma,' they answered. 'Great to have you here in Tennessee ,' the stranger said. 'What do you do for a living?' 'I teach at a seminary,' he replied.

'Oh, so you teach preachers how to preach, do you? Well, I've got a really great story for you.' And with that, the gentleman pulled up a chair and sat down at the table with the couple.

The professor groaned and thought to himself, ¡Great ... Just what I need...another preacher story!'

The man started, 'See that mountain over there? (pointing out the restaurant window). Not far from the base of that mountain, there was a boy born to an unwed mother. He had a hard time growing up, because every place he went, he was always asked the same question, 'Hey boy, Who's your daddy?' Whether he was at school, in the grocery store or drug store, people would ask the same question, 'Who's your daddy?'

He would hide at recess and lunchtime from other students. He would avoid going into stores because that question hurt him so bad. 'When he was about 12 years old, a new preacher came to his church. He would always go in late and slip out early to avoid hearing the question, 'Who's your daddy?' But one day, the new preacher said the benediction so fast that he got caught and had to walk out with the crowd.

Just about the time he got to the back do or, the new preacher, not knowing anything about him, put his hand on his shoulder and asked him, 'Son, who's your daddy?'

The whole church got deathly quiet. He could feel every eye in the church looking at him now everyone would finally know the answer to the question, 'Who's your daddy?'

'This new preacher, though, sensed the situation around him and using discernment that only the Holy Spirit could give, said the following to that scared little boy.. 'Wait a minute! I know who you are! I see the family resemblance now; you are a child of God.'

With that he patted the boy on his shoulder and said, 'Boy, you've got a great inheritance. Go and claim it.'

'With that, the boy smiled for the first time in a long time and walked out the door a changed person. He was never the same again. Whenever anybody asked him, 'Who's your Daddy?' he'd just tell them, 'I'm a Child of God.''

The distinguished gentleman got up from the table and said, 'Isn't that a great story?' The professor responded that it really was a great story!

As the man turned to leave, he said, 'You know, if that new preacher hadn't told me that I was one of God's children, I probably never would have amounted to anything!' And he walked away.

The seminary professor and his wife were stunned. He called the waitress over & asked her, 'Do you know who that man was -- the one who just left that was sitting at our table?'

The waitress grinned and said, 'Of course. Everybody here knows him. That's Ben Hooper. He's governor of Tennessee !'

Someone in your life today needs a reminder that they're one of God's children!

"The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of God stands forever." ~~Isaiah

YOU'RE ONE OF GOD'S CHILDREN!!! HAVE A GREAT DAY!

Keep this going. You have no idea which one of your e-mail buddies could use a little hope today

John 3:16

A helping hand will lighten another's burden.

This email was cleaned by emailStripper, available for free from http://www.papercut.biz/emailStripper.htm

The Mayonnaise Jar and 2 Beers

When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the 2 Beers .

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with an unanimous 'yes.'

The professor then produced two Beers from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.

'Now,' said the professor as the laughter subsided, 'I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things---your family, your children, your health, your friends and your favorite passions---and if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.

The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house and your car.

The sand is everything else---the small stuff. 'If you put the sand into the jar first,' he continued, 'there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff you will never have room for the things that are important to you.

'Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness.. Spend time with your children. Spend time with your parents. Visit with grandparents. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your spouse out to dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal. Take care of the golf balls first---the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.'

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the Beer represented. The professor smiled and said, 'I'm glad you asked.'  The Beer just shows you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of Beers with a friend.'

This email was cleaned by emailStripper, available for free from http://www.papercut.biz/emailStripper.htm

Calvin & Hobbes - Week of May 5th

http://www.gocomics.com/calvinandhobbes/2008/05/05/

http://www.gocomics.com/calvinandhobbes/2008/05/06/

http://www.gocomics.com/calvinandhobbes/2008/05/07/

http://www.gocomics.com/calvinandhobbes/2008/05/08/

http://www.gocomics.com/calvinandhobbes/2008/05/09/

http://www.gocomics.com/calvinandhobbes/2008/05/10/

http://www.gocomics.com/calvinandhobbes/2008/05/11/

Praise the Lord!

Thanks to Cissy for this one.
---------------------------------
There was a little old lady, who every morning, stepped onto her front porch, raised her arms to the sky, and shouted, "PRAISE THE LORD!''

One day an atheist moved into the house next door. He became irritated by the little old lady. Every morning he'd step onto his front porch after her and yell: 'THERE IS NO LORD!'

Time passed with the two of them carrying on this way every day. One morning, in the middle of winter, the little old lady stepped onto her front porch and shouted: 'PRAISE THE LORD! Please Lord, I have no food and I am starving, provide for me, oh Lord!''

The next morning she stepped out onto her porch and there were two huge bags of groceries sitting there. 'PRAISE THE LORD!' she cried out. 'HE HAS PROVIDED GROCERIES FOR ME!'

The atheist neighbor jumped out of the hedges and shouted: 'THERE IS NO LORD; I BOUGHT THOSE GROCERIES!!'

The little old lady threw her arms into the air and shouted: 'PRAISE THE LORD! HE HAS PROVIDED ME WITH GROCERIES AND MADE THE DEVIL PAY FOR THEM!'

Baptist cowboy

A cowboy who is visiting Wyoming from Texas, walks into a bar and orders three mugs of Bud. He sits in the back of the room, drinking a sip out of each one in turn. When he finishes them, he comes back to the bar and orders three more.

The bartender approaches and tells the cowboy, 'You know, a mug goes flat after I draw it. It would taste better if you bought one at a time.'

The cowboy replies, 'Well, you see, I have two brothers. One is in Arizona , the other is in Colorado . When we all left our home in Texas , we promised that we'd drink this way to remember the days
when we drank together. So I'm drinking one beer for each of my brothers and one for myself. The bartender admits that this is a nice custom, and leaves it there.

The cowboy becomes a regular in the bar, and always drinks the same way. He orders three mugs and drinks them in turn.

One day, he comes in and only orders two mugs. All the regulars take notice and fall silent. When he comes back to the bar for the second round, the bartender says, 'I don't want to intrude on your grief,
but I wanted to offer my condolences on your loss.'

The cowboy looks quite puzzled for a moment, then a light dawns in his eyes and he laughs.

'Oh, no, everybody's just fine, ' he explains, 'It's just that my wife and I joined the Baptist Church and I had to quit drinking.'

'Hasn't affected my brothers though.'