Category: NATO

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In Civilian Life, There is Never a Time Where We Do Not Have a Choice.

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Military news…

Air Force wing nixes drag queen reading event for children at Ramstein library, drawing LGBTQ supporters’ ire

“Drag Queen Storytime,” organized to celebrate Pride Month, was slated for Thursday.

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US is preparing to send long-range rocket systems to Ukraine

The Biden administration is preparing to send advanced long-range rocket systems to Ukraine as the country suffers losses in the east from advancing Russian forces, said U.S. administration and congressional staffers.

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National Guard needs stable funding from Congress to execute program to train Ukrainian troops, top general says

Congress’ inability to pass timely spending bills is hindering a National Guard program that trains Ukrainian forces, the chief of the National Guard Bureau told House lawmakers.

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Iran seizes 2 Greek tankers in Persian Gulf as tensions rise

The U.S. Navy’s Mideast-based 5th Fleet said it was investigating reports that Iran seized two Greek tankers. Iran had threatened to take “punitive action” over Athens being involved in the U.S. seizure of an Iranian oil tanker in Greek waters.

Here is another excerpt from my upcoming book, Signs of Hope for the military: In and Out of the trenches of Life.

There is Not a Time That You Don’t Have a Choice

In the military you are faced with many orders. Go here. Do this. You expect that in the military, and since you decided to enlist, you should live the life that is given to you while you are there. 

However, out in civilian life it is a different story. People will also be barking at you do this and that.

I have heard people say, “I had to do it because I didn’t have a choice.” They felt trapped and thought they had no way out.

There is always a choice!! We never have to accept our fate because we feel there is no choice.

We need to acknowledge that we have the same rights as others around us.

Have you had a boss threaten you if you didn’t do what he said? It is OK to give out directions, but never OK to threaten.  The people in the private sector need to realize that they are all working together just like a unit in the military. They need to respect each employee, and have their back when they need it.

Jobs are important for the soldier, but they shouldn’t be degraded at any time just so they can keep the job.

When I came out I was treated pretty badly by a boss who didn’t like any
“youngsters,” trying to infiltrate his group of workers he loved working with. He did whatever he could to make my day miserable.

When there was a job that was somewhat dangerous, he would make me do it. When it was time for a break, he will tell me to sit somewhere else than with the men. I allowed it to happen by my own choice, because I didn’t have any way to find another job quickly enough to provide for my family that was with me at the college I was going to.

So I fell for the trap, “I didn’t have a choice.”

In this day and age that type of leadership is not allowed anymore. Back in the 50’s there weren’t too many discrimination laws. There weren’t too many places to go for help. 

Today, you have choices. You have your rights. You can respectfully disagree and not fear of losing you job.

Going out into the civilian life can be daunting, but you don’t have to let it overcome you. Stay strong, and have courage, just like you had to do when you served your country.

IWILL

You may be asking what on earth this chapter is all about. It is about learning to be able to withstand the forces that try to overcome you and cause you to want to give up. It is about giving you thoughts and ideas on how to cope in a sometimes unfriendly world. You have equal rights as much as anyone else on this planet. Do not let anyone tell you that you have no choices.

Think about this

Isn’t it sad how some people get into a power struggle, just to proof they are tough?

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There will be other excerpts in the future. Keep coming back to check them out. Better yet…go to the top of this page and click on subscribe. When you do all future posts will come directly to you inbox.

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Checking in on you. How are you doing? Is everything going OK, or are you struggling?

FEAR NOT!

There are over 14,955 veterans on this site who have your back.

Here is what I am asking you to do…please share this site with as many other veterans as you can. It has helped so many.

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If you are battling mentally, but you are losing, GET HELP!!

Here is a toll free number that you can call 24/7. There are highly qualified counselors there to help you, and they will not hang up until they know you are OK.

1-800-273-8255…texting 838255.

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Remember:

You are never alone.

You are never forsaken.

You are never unloved.

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A Very Important Book For Veterans, About PTSD is Available at Amazon

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Military news…

Army Gen. Cavoli tells senators that NATO expansion could force Russia to move troops in the Baltic region
Gen. Christopher Cavoli, the nominee to be the next commander of U.S. and NATO forces in Europe, said adding Finland and Sweden would give NATO a footprint over almost the entire Baltic Sea coastline.

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Air Force squadron throws itself birthday bash in German skies

It was a sight rarely seen over Ramstein: Nine C-130J Super Hercules airplanes flying in formation and dropping 90 paratroopers onto a grassy landing zone between two runways.

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Marine Corps now has 2 fully operational F-35B stealth fighter squadrons in Japan

A second squadron of F-35B Lightning IIs is fully operational at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, bringing the total number of stealth fighters there to 32.

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Alabama Army base may be renamed to decorated veteran Michael Novosel Sr

An Alabama military base, one of many in the South named for Confederate leaders, is slated to be renamed for a Medal of Honor winner from Etna who served as a fearless combat pilot in three wars spanning 30 years.

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Russia test-fires its latest hypersonic Zircon missile

The Russian navy on Saturday conducted another test of a prospective hypersonic missile, a demonstration of the military’s long-range strike capability amid the fighting in Ukraine.

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Korean War vets group dwindling but still active and proud of service in the ‘forgotten war’

On Memorial Day 31 years ago, Korean War veteran Ed Stevens of Kennedy saw a Washington politician on TV giving a speech and invoking World War I, World War II and Vietnam. “But he never said a word about Korea,” Mr. Stevens recalled.

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Russia claims capture of key transport hub, as Zelensky remains defiant

Russia’s Defense Ministry said Saturday its forces now control Lyman, a key transport hub providing access to bridges over the Siversky Donets river, and the British Defense Ministry said most of the town has probably fallen into Russian hands. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky sounded a defiant note on Friday, saying: “If the occupiers think that Lyman or Severodonetsk will be theirs, they are wrong.”

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I know a good friend who has written a book just for those who have veterans who are fighting PTSD. It is a wonderful book and I highly recommend you check it out. Here is her closing poem in the book. Get your hankys out:

I Loved Someone With PTSD BY Welby O’brien

I loved someone with PTSD…

Had no clue how hard it would be.

Was I the only one who knew

What PTSD could put you through?

If only just what to say,

or just tried harder to make his day.

Was it me or was it him/

What was the darkness that stole him away?

I cry alone. It hurts so much.

He cannot seem to feel my touch.

Where does he go behind that wall,

or in that cave so dark and small?

His pain is abysmal, locked deep inside.

All he knows is how to hide.

The horrors of war forever torment

This man I love, and won’t relent.

i’m all alone, afraid and torn,

Feel so tired, weary worn.

Please, God, show me what to do

To help us both make it through!

I’m NOT alone, it came to me.

Faith and love can set me free.

Prayers of help, and people who know,

My lifelines of hope to help me grow.

It isn’t him. It isn’t me

It’s only the cruel PTSD.

Though always there, we don’t have to numb,

It just take one day at a time.

I love someone with PTSD,

And I am sure that he loves me.

The pain and struggles we’ll fight each day,

My love for him is here to stay.

I love someone with PTSD,

And I’m so glad he is here with me.

Although it is not always fun

It’s the best thing I have ever done.

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Her book is called, Love Our Vets: Restoring Hope for Families of Veterans with PTSD. You should be able to find it on Amazon. I did.

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Keep coming back to see more excerpts from my own upcoming book, Signs of Hope for the Military: In and Out of the Trenches of Life. Better yet…go to the top of this page and click on subscribe. When you do all future posts will come directly to you inbox.

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Reminder that today is Memorial Day. Honor all those who gave their all for our country, and the millions of veterans who could be your neighbors.

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Checking in on you. How are you doing? Is everything going OK, or are you struggling?

FEAR NOT!

There are over 14,941 veterans on this site who have your back.

Here is what I am asking you to do…please share this site with as many other veterans as you can. It has helped so many.

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If you are battling mentally, but you are losing, GET HELP!!

Here is a toll free number that you can call 24/7. There are highly qualified counselors there to help you, and they will not hang up until they know you are OK.

1-800-273-8255…texting 838255.

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Remember:

You are never alone.

You are never forsaken.

You are never unloved.

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+If you like what you see, please subscribe at the top of this page where it says, “subscribe.” When you do, all future posts will come directly to your inbox. Also, if you know some else who could benefit from this site, please let them know.

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Scars Can Show Veterans Where They’ve Been, But They Don’t Show Where They’re Going

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Military news…

Goodbye Bragg and Benning: These are the potential names for Army bases honoring Confederates

Make way for ‘Fort Eisenhower,’ ‘Fort Cavazos,’ and ‘Fort Barfoot.’

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US deal with Taliban panicked Afghan military and hastened collapse, investigation finds

A watchdog report outlines how US actions during the withdrawal from Afghanistan, often done without communication to Afghan allies, fueled mistrust and paranoia, which led to mass surrenders. 

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Addition of Finland and Sweden to NATO would strengthen Arctic security, improve US training, military officials say

Navy and Marine Corps officials said Wednesday that the potential inclusion of Finland and Sweden in the NATO alliance would boost U.S. military activity in the Arctic and the Baltic Sea.

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Pentagon spokesman John Kirby to switch podiums for White House job

Chief Pentagon spokesman John Kirby is stepping down from his position to switch podiums for a senior communications job at the White House, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Friday.

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US, South Korea to discuss expanded joint military exercises Citing the threat posed by North Korea, Presidents Joe Biden and Yoon Suk Yeol of South Korea agreed Saturday to reinforce their defensive posture on the Korean Peninsula.

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20 countries in US-led Ukraine Contact Group offer new military aid packages to help Ukrainians beat back invading Russians
Some 20 countries in the U.S.-led Ukraine Contact Group agreed to contribute new military aid packages to help Ukrainian troops fight off the Russian forces that have been attacking their country for the last three months, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced Monday.

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On Asia trip, Biden says he would be willing to use force if China invades Taiwan

President Joe Biden signaled an apparent end to the US policy of strategic ambiguity by saying the United States would defend Taiwan against a Chinese invasion.

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Here is one of my best excerpts, according to readers, from my upcoming book, Signs of Hope for the Military: In and Out of the trenches of Life.

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Scars Can Show Where We’ve Been, But They Don’t Show Where We Are Going

One of the hardest things for us as veterans and current soldiers is dealing with the scars we have had from the past. It may be a physical scar, or it may be mental or emotional. We can’t keep living in the past. Much of it is too painful to relive again. Yes, the present isn’t exactly rosy sometimes either, but it is here, and we need to deal with it. The one-day-at-a-time thought works for me. I just do what I need to do to make it through each day, and I am thankful when I have made it.

The future is something we can’t always control, but we can help shape it by being eager to take it on and conquering it with our determination and guts.

I feel deeply of those of you who have physical scars. I also feel deeply for those of you who have mental and emotional scars. I have been to the mountain with these kinds of scars.

Strive to never give in to the dark side thought of doom and gloom. Look for the bright side, and share it with others around you who need it as well.

This reminds me of Kris Kyle the sniper who was famous for his accuracy, and how many lives he saved by eliminating the enemy who was about to kill our soldiers. He was a tough and no nonsense kind of guy, and yet he lost his live trying to help a fellow soldier who was battling his own demons. Kris was trying to help others even though he had his own dark times.

Never give up! There may be walls in your way, but you will overcome them with perseverance.

Let someone pile expectations on and then exceed them. Your biggest goals in life become your biggest achievements. If you have discipline and drive, you don’t lose. You cannot lose. New ideas are sometimes scary, but can end up something special. Walls: They separate, divide, and isolate. But walls can always fall.

What we have to remember is that we have to go through the pains of life to achieve the joys. Pains actually inspire growth. 

I saw those words recently and at first I thought, Easy for you to say! Most people don’t know what real pain is. My neighbor recently complained she had double abscessed teeth. Knowing how painful that is, since I have had abscessed teeth myself, I thought about those military servicemen and women have lost their legs, arms, or are going to be in a wheelchair the rest of their lives. The level of pain is relevant to only what you are really going through.

We must always remember: With God on Our Side, who can be against us? No one!

IWILL

It is hard enough to exist in this cruel world without adding pain and mental strain to our lives. We need to battle the elements that attack us with vigor and valor, just like we would on the front lines, in the trenches, as we face the enemy. Stand strong and be brave.

Think about this

Isn’t it interesting how it takes bravery to face this world, but it takes even more bravery to give it all up to God?

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Checking in on you. How are you doing? Is everything going OK, or are you struggling?

FEAR NOT!

There are over 14,910 veterans on this site who have your back.

Here is what I am asking you to do…please share this site with as many other veterans as you can. It has helped so many.

______________________________________________________________

If you are battling mentally, but you are losing, GET HELP!!

Here is a toll free number that you can call 24/7. There are highly qualified counselors there to help you, and they will not hang up until they know you are OK.

1-800-273-8255…texting 838255.

______________________________________________________________

Remember:

You are never alone.

You are never forsaken.

You are never unloved.

And above all…never, ever, give up!

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+If you like what you see, please subscribe at the top of this page where it says, “subscribe.” When you do, all future posts will come directly to your inbox. Also, if you know some else who could benefit from this site, please let them know.