Iraq

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According to a recent Washington Post news report, KBR and Halliburton required its contract employees in Iraq and Afghanistan to not report fraud or waste.   They required contract employees to sign confidentiality agreements.  To any veteran of the two wars, that requirement is offensive.  We received many of our support services from KBR (owned…

In a remarkable advance for persons with disabilities, Justin Slaby won his discrimination lawsuit against the FBI.  The jury returned a verdict awarding Mr. Slaby $75,000 in compensatory (emotional suffering) damages.  Because the government is the defendant, punitive damages are not available.  The court will determine the details regarding whether Mr. Slaby should be reinstated…

Its a quote I appreciated from the first time I heard it: "I come in peace. I didn’t bring artillery. But, I am pleading with you, with tears in my eyes: If you f— with me, I’ll kill you all."  Marine Gen. James M. Mattis said this to several Iraqi tribal leaders in 2003 during…

I just do not get it.  I keep seeing and hearing stories about veterans who are not being hired.  One woman spent a year in Iraq guarding high profile prisoners.  She joined the National Guard at the age of 36 years old.  Soon, she went on her first tour in Iraq.  She was laid off…

A San Antonio warrant officer was killed in a helicopter crash in Logar Province, Afghanistan.  CW2 Thalia S. Ramirez and another soldier from the Rio Grande Valley were piloting a OH-58D Kiowa Warrior helicopter, a scout helicopter when they crashed.  CW2 Ramirez was assigned to the 82d Airborne Division.  There are indications the helicopter may…

Its hard to believe there is a war on.  We are in the middle of a cantankerous presidential debate, but the war in Afghanistan never comes up.  According to a San Antonio Express News columnist, we have had the highest number of casualties since last September.  According to statistics, the number of attacks on American…

I do not understand why some service members feel the need to exaggerate their military service.  I suppose some of that has long occurred.  Once, I was in the Officers Club at Ft. Sam Houston, Texas enjoying a drink with another service member.  Some guy we did not know, sitting at the bar started telling…

 Memorial Day is a time to recall those who served our country.  It is also a time to recall that selfless service is surely one of man’s greatest virtues.  The San Antonio Express News ran a story about some veterans who are raising money for a Texas version of the Viet Nam War Memorial wall.

I first published this post in 2009.  It seems only more relevant now.  Anti-Muslim bias is more prevalent than it ought to be. I appreciate who and what attacked us on Sept. 1, 2001.  But, my experience has taught me something a bit different. 

I served one year in Iraq as an Army officer.  I…