20080315 Join me in wishing Admiral William Fallon well in his long overdue retirement

Join me in wishing Admiral William Fallon well in his long overdue retirement

March 16^th, 2008

Columnist Michael Barone has written an intelligent analysis about the “abrupt resignation of Adm. William Fallon as the head of Central Command…”

I for one, sure hope the doorknob does not hit him on the behind while he is on his way out…

Secretary of Defense Dr. Robert Gates announced his resignation last Tuesday, March 11, 2008 as the commander of Central Command.

No doubt his resignation was toasted by many in the military that evening.

Secretary Gates was, as usual, rather forthcoming as to the resignation stating Admiral Fallon’s reasons involved the controversies that have resulted from the recent, March 11, 2008, article in Esquire magazine: “The Man Between War and Peace,” by Thomas P.M. Barnett.

Gee – ya think?

Others in the military will quietly tell ya Admiral Fallon got confused and thought it was his job to set military and foreign policy instead of implementing it.

He did everything possible to undermine his bosses, Secretary of Defense Gates and President George W. Bush; and cut the knees out from under General David Petraeus. All the while, he overlooked several aspects of his job, such as was reported in the Washington Times - “Warriors welcome Fallon's resignation” by Sara Carter, March 13, 2008:

“Current and former military officials welcomed the resignation of Navy Adm. William J. Fallon, the top U.S. military commander in the Middle East, saying he failed to prevent foreign fighters and munitions from entering Iraq.”

To be certain, not to be overlooked is the fact that Admiral Fallon has led a storied career in the military and that we should all appreciate - and thank him for his service.

Nevertheless, we can wish him the best of luck in his retirement, which is, by many accounts, long overdue. Maybe now he can be a military analyst for Katie Couric or the New York Times – or Code Pink. He’ll fit in quite comfortably.

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The Importance of Fallon's Fall by Michael Barone, Saturday, March 15, 2008

The abrupt resignation of Adm. William Fallon as the head of Central Command almost got lost amid the breaking news of Barack Obama's victory in the Mississippi primary and Eliot Spitzer's resignation as governor of New York. But it's a much more consequential development -- in the foreign and military policy of the Bush administration in its final year in office and in the relations between civilian commanders and military officers in the long run of American history.

Though everyone involved denies it, Fallon was kicked out for insubordination, or something very close to it. His conduct became impossible to overlook after the publication of a jauntily written article in Esquire by Thomas P.M. Barnett, author of "The Pentagon's New Map."

Barnett paints Fallon as a seasoned officer who coolly and wisely has been frustrating George W. Bush's desire to invade Iran. He points out that Fallon opposed the surge in Iraq ordered by Bush in January 2007 and that he has tried to rein in Gen. David Petraeus, whose leadership of the surge has produced such impressive results. He seems to take it for granted that readers will applaud Fallon for opposing a move that converted likely defeat to a high chance of success.

Fallon also made it plain that he wants to withdraw troops from Iraq, as soon as possible -- even though Defense Secretary Robert Gates has approved Petraeus' request for a pause after currently scheduled troop withdrawals end in July.

Fallon is not the first subordinate to work openly to undercut the commander in chief…

[…]

Read his entire column here: The Importance of Fallon's Fall

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20080315 Join me in wishing Admiral William Fallon well in his long overdue retirement

20071228 Recent Westminster Eagle columns

Recent Westminster Eagle columns

Kevin E. Dayhoff

Friday, December 28

Christmas comes early for families, and for some secret (trooper) Santas

On Sunday, Dec. 16, members of the Maryland Troopers Association Lodge 20 were joined at the Westminster Fire Hall by members of the State Police Explorers Post 56, Cub Scout Pack 150 and Carroll County Chapter K of Gold Wing Road Riders to make sure that families on their "most wanted list" had a n... [Read full story]

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Reaching out to the troops is a mission with 'evergreen' appeal

Early this month, on Dec. 1, more than 300 volunteers gathered at the Carroll County Ag Center for Operation Christmas Tree to pack 5,000 live decorated Christmas trees for the troops in Iraq.

I had only been in the 40'-by-60' tent (supplied by Kay-Lyns Party Rental), for minutes when one voluntee... Congressman Roscoe Bartlett… [Read full story]

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Greeting the Ghosts of Christmas TV past

Christmas, as much as any holiday, is a time for childhood memories.

For many baby-boomers, television has always served as an early warning system that the holiday is rapidly advancing. Whether it is the plethora of consumer-oriented commercials or Christmas holiday specials, most everyone's chil... [Read full story]

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Singing with one voice for a worthy cause

On Nov. 17, members of our community packed St. John Catholic Church to hear the talented and beautiful voices of artists who came together and donated their time for our community -- and for a worthy cause.

Musical groups including the McDaniel College Madigal Singers, Old Line Statesmen Barber S... “With One Voice”… Programs sponsors included organizations such as the GFWC Women’s Club of Westminster, and businesses such as Skyline Network Engineering, Lehigh Cement, PNC and New Windsor State Bank, Stu’s Music, the Law and Mediation Center, Opera House Printing Company, Steven Silberman, the law firm of Cromwell and Unglesbee and Douglas Deming of Zero Balancing and Message Therapy. They all came out in force to make a difference in our community.

… Connie Sgarlata, director of the Carroll County Office of Family and Children’s Services of Central Maryland echoed the remarks of many, including McDaniel College professor of music Dr. Margie Boudreaux and Diane Jones, the Children’s Chorus of Carroll County artistic director… [Read full story]

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20061226 Three Kings by Major Z

Three Soldiers who spent Christmas at Walter Reed

December 27^th, 2006

Hat Tip: Black Five: “Major Z and the Three Kings”

http://www.blackfive.net/main/2006/12/major_z_and_the.html

Major Z, a Milblogger who writes at “From my Position… On the Way,” visited Walter Reed and writes about three soldiers he visited who were injured in Iraq.

One of the three is from Maryland:

Major Z writes:

“Our second King was injured when his right arm was crushed by a vehicle. Private First Class Stephen Hopkins is a medic in the Maryland National Guard. He was attached to the 324th Military Police Company…”

[…]

“…the true highlight was meeting three young men who were spending Christmas (and New Years, and probably Easter) on ward 57. I spent some time with each one, heard their stories…”

[…]

“They all agreed to let me publish their pictures and addresses with their story. Folks, these guys (and their families) are going to spend one of the greatest holidays in the worst places—because they served you and kept you safe. Please, take a little time this week and remember them, give thanks for them, and maybe even send them a card or a small gift. (It’s okay that it won’t reach them by Christmas, as long as it does reach them.)”

[…]

Read the rest of Major Z’s compelling and personal account of these three heroes here.

If you could take a moment of your time to send a card or a small Christmas gift – do not over-think it, for pity sake, anything and everything is appreciated – to a Marylander who went far away to a foreign land to defend freedom, and as a result, spent Christmas at Walter Reed, while we ate turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy; send it to:

PFC Stephen Hopkins

Room 5717 Ward 57

Walter Reed Amy Medical Center

6900 Georgia Ave. NW

Washington DC 20307

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20061225 CSM Beyard says Merry Christmas from Kuwait

Command Sergeant Major Tom Beyard wishes folks a Merry Christmas.

December 25th, 2006

I called CSM Beyard in Kuwait late Christmas Day in the evening. By that time it was early Tuesday morning, December 26th, 2006.

I dialed the number and he picked up the phone.

“This is Command Sergeant Major Beyard.”

It was as simple as that. However he was busy and we did not spend a long time on the phone. The telephone connection was good, but there was a great deal of activity on Tom’s end and he had a hard time hearing us at times.

My brother-in-law, a retired U.S. Army Colonel had a chance to extend best wishes and thanks. The Colonel asked him what he needed and Tom answered “coffee,” right away.

“We drink a lot of coffee… and finding good coffee is hard…,” Tom said.

He wished everyone home a Merry Christmas.

So, as I keyboard, coffee is wrapped in a box to go out in the mail Tuesday morning.

My wife is going to take it into the Post Office first thing in the morning. I have heard reports that filling out the paperwork to ship packages to the troops in the Middle East is a chore. Please let that not be the case. I’ll post an update as soon as I get a report from my wife.

Sooo, we now know he needs coffee.

Everyone has an empty shoe box lying around the house. I just grabbed an empty shoe box and threw a can of coffee in it with a few “Westminster” things lying around for “packing” and taped it shut and addressed it. It took only minutes.

The address is:

CSM Thomas Beyard
TF AVCRAD 06-08
Camp Arifjan, Kuwait
APO AE 09366

Kevin, December 25th, 2006

20061220 CSM Beyard Greetings from Kuwait

CSM Beyard Greetings from Kuwait

December 20^th, 2006

Command Sergeant Major Thomas B. Beyard, aka Westminster Planning and Public Works Director says “Merry Christmas” from Task Force AVCRAD, Patton Army Air Force Field, Kuwait, December 2006.

Cards and “stuff” (1) from home can be sent to CSM Beyard (2) at:

CSM Thomas Beyard
Command Sergeant Major
TF AVCRAD 06-08
Camp Arifjan, Kuwait
APO AE 09366

And oh - - CSM Beyard shared in a recent e-mail:

“Last Monday, BG Patricia McQuistion, CG of AMC-FWD-SWA and Diretor of Operational Sustainment for U.S. Army CENTCOM, presented our commander, me and the soldiers of our unit with the Third Army combat patch to wear on the right sleeve of our uniform.”

“Third Army is also known as Patton's Army, in honor of WWII General George Patton and the success of Third Army in contributing to the liberation of Europe from the Nazis. Third Army was one of the most successful large units of that era. When the patch was presented, BG McQuistion said ‘Patton's Own’ and each soldier said ‘Always First’ ”

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PS: My latest Tentacle column is up and it addresses folks serving in uniform in Iraq and Afghanistan:

Wednesday, December 20, 2006, “An Uneasy Truce” by Kevin E. Dayhoff

Christmas is within a week and my thoughts and prayers go out to the men and women in uniform who are deployed in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Read the rest here.

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(1) From a 2003 list that I have handy, things to send are: baby wipes with Aloe, bar soap, deodorant, foot cream, foot powder, sun block, chapstick, disposable razors, shaving cream, hand lotion, q-tips, batteries, fans, insect repellent, paper, pens, envelopes, stamps, nuts, beef jerky, hard candy, gum, snacks and powdered drinks.

I have also read and heard that magazines, tootsie rolls, cookies and baked goods, coffee, tea, sugar, and creamer. Do not worry about collecting a bunch of stuff for a large package. Send little packages often.

Be sure to enclose a note to say who it is from. If/when you wrap something for shipping, wrap it in a recent local paper for folks to read. Folks like Tom are fairly voracious readers.

For those who may have a better idea as to what to send, please read over the list and make suggestions, additions, deletions or corrections in comments or e-mail. Once I have a better list… I’ll post it separately.

(2) Tom has said in several e-mails that he doesn’t need anything… Oh so typical Tom… Whatever. But knowing Tom, he will share with other soldiers…

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20031111 Vets Day idea list of things to send to military in Iraq

Vets Day Idea list of things to send to Military Personnel in Iraq

City of Westminster Office of Mayor Kevin Dayhoff
P. O. Box 710 – City Hall, Westminster, MD, 21158
November 11, 2003

Today, on Veterans Day – as every day, it is important that we not only remember our men and woman in uniform serving our country and protecting our freedoms, but it is particularly important that we do something to support them. One way that you can help our military as they serve us, is to send them some items they need.

Scott Jeznach, who works for The City of Westminster, recently found the following request in the 82nd Airborne Division Association newsletter of October 2003:

Our troops in Iraq are in need of hard-to-get supplies and would be most grateful for any assistance we can give them.

They have requested baby wipes with Aloe, bar soap, deodorant, foot cream, foot powder, sun block, chapstick, disposable razors, shaving cream, hand lotion, q-tips, batteries, fans, insect repellent, paper, pens, envelopes, stamps, nuts, beef jerky, hard candy, gum, snacks and powdered drinks.

December 20th, 2006 UPDATE:

Please send any of the above to

CSM Thomas Beyard
TF AVCRAD 06-08
Camp Arifjan, Kuwait
APO AE 09366

LTC David E. Smith

Division Chaplain

82^nd Airborne Division

APO AE 09384

LTC Smith CSM Thomas Beyard will make the distribution to our troops there.

Please feel free to enclose a note indicating who you are, where you are from, and expressing your support of their work protecting our freedoms.

If you have any questions, please contact Scott Jeznach or Mayor Kevin Dayhoff.

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