4/26/08 Dodgers VS. Rockies- Home plate umpire Kerwin Danley was hit in the jaw with a 96 mph Brad Penny fastball in the top of the 4th inning Saturday night. Don't know how Martin missed that catch. Danley was taken to the hospital and was in stable condition. Best wishes to him.

Somebody has started to straighten some of these thoughtless and ungrateful people out. And I am even more grateful that it was someone serving in one of the branches of military.

Military paid too much? You be the judge!
This is an Airman's response to Cindy Williams' editorial piece in the Washington Times about MILITARY PAY, it should be printed in all newspapers across America.

On Nov. 12, Ms Cindy Williams (from Laverne and Shirley TV show) wrote a piece for the Washington Times, denouncing the pay raise coming service members' way this year -- citing that the stated 13% wage was more than they deserve.

A young airman from Hill AFB responds to her article below. He ought to get a bonus for this.

"Ms Williams:

I just had the pleasure of reading your column, "Our GIs earn enough" and I am a bit confused. Frankly, I'm wondering where this vaunted overpayment is going, because as far as I can tell, it disappears every month between DFAS (The Defense Finance and Accounting Service) and my bank account.

Checking my latest earnings statement I see that I make $1,117.80 before taxes. After taxes, I take home $874.20. When I run that through the calculator, I come up with an annual salary of $13,413.60 before taxes, and $10,490.40, after.

I work in the Air Force Network Control Center where I am part of the team responsible for a 5,000 host computer network. I am involved with infrastructure segments, specifically with Cisco Systems equipment. A quick check under jobs for Network Technicians in the Washington, D.C. area reveals a position in my career field, requiring three years experience with my job. Amazingly, this job does NOT pay $13,413.60 a year. No, this job is being offered at $70,000 to $80,000 per annum... I'm sure you can draw the obvious conclusions.

Given the tenor of your column, I would assume that you NEVER had the pleasure of serving your country in our armed forces. Before you take it upon yourself to once more castigate congressional and DOD leadership for attempting to get the families in the military's lowest pay brackets off of WIC and food stamps, I suggest that you join a group of deploying soldiers headed for AFGHANISTAN; I leave the choice of service branch up to you.

Whatever choice you make, though, opt for the SIX month rotation: it will guarantee you the longest possible time away from your family and friends, thus giving you full "deployment experience." As your group prepares to board the plane, make sure to note the spouses and children who are saying good-bye to their loved ones. Also take care to note that several families are still unsure of how they'll be able to make ends meet while the primary breadwinner is gone -- obviously they've been squandering the "vast" piles of cash the government has been giving them.

Try to deploy over a major holiday; Christmas and Thanksgiving are perennial favorites. And when you're actually over there, sitting in a foxhole, shivering against the cold desert night; and the flight sergeant tells you that there aren't enough people on shift to relieve you for chow, remember this: trade whatever MRE (meal-ready-to-eat) you manage to get for the tuna noodle casserole or cheese tortellini, and add Tabasco to everything. This gives some flavor. Talk to your loved ones as often as you are permitted; it won't nearly be long enough or often enough, but take what you can get and be thankful for it.

You may have picked up on the fact that I disagree with most of the points you present in your opined piece.

But, tomorrow from KABUL, I will defend to the death your right to say it.

You see, I am an American fighting man, a guarantor of your First Amendment rights and every other right you cherish. On a daily basis, my brother and sister soldiers worldwide ensure that you and people like you can thumb your collective nose at us, all on a salary that is nothing short of pitiful and under conditions that would make most people cringe. We hemorrhage our best and brightest into the private sector because we can't offer the stability and pay of civilian companies.

And you, Ms. Williams, have the gall to say that we make more than we deserve? Rubbish!

A1C Michael Bragg Hill AFB AFNCC

IF YOU AGREE, PLEASE SIGN AND PASS THIS ALONG TO AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE AND SHOW OUR SUPPORT OF THE AMERICAN FIGHTING MEN AND WOMEN. THANK YOU.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. AB Shanahan, Kelly M. USAF
2. SrA Macdonnell, M USAF @ Travis AFB
3. A1C Jessica Brewer USAF
4.Ashley O'Kelley
5. D Rogers
6.A1C Clara J. Brucker USAF
7. Amn April L. Severson USAF
8. Amn David "Smitty" Smith USAF
9. A1C AnneMarie Anello USAF
10. A1C Bush, MIchael R. II USAF @ Charleston AFB
11. A1C Lewis, Michael J USAF @ CAFB
12. A1C Bilodeau, Stephanie USAF @ Dover AFB-> my add on...not to mention the hours we work. i hear rumors of us going back to 5 and 2-12's. 60 hours a freaking week. way insane
13. SrA Brower, McGuire AFB USAF
14. SrA Caufield, Andrews AFB, MD USAF
15. Angela Cushing
16.Amy Pickett PAFW to SrA Pickett Andrews AFB
17.Cindy Mitchell..Wife to SrA Mitchell..deployed
18. Nicole Smith, USAF veteran
19. SPC. Todd M. Dicken, USAR (Its about time someone said it!)
20. Ssgt. Jason M. Fox, U.S. Air Force
21. SrA Graham, U.S. Air Force
22. SrA Saludares, U.S. Air Force
23.Carlos Labra
24. SrA Alice Labra, USAF @ Lackland AFB
25. SPC Joanna Estrada, US Army, Fort Riley, KS
26.SPC.Vereen,Jarrett, Us Army Ft.Bliss,TX
26. SGT Brandyburg, Felicia , U.S. ARMY
27. SPC Postell, David, U.S. ARMY
28. SSG Williams, Virgil C., U.S. Army
29. SGT RUDD, Gordon R, U.S. ARMY
30. PFC Morris, Sterfanie, U.S. Army, Camp Hovey, South Korea
31. PFC Perry, US Army, S. Korea
32. SPC Owen, US Army, S. Korea
33. SPC Blake, John, U.S. Army, Camp Castle, South Korea
34. SPC Sinclair, Joseph D, U.S. Army, Camp Castle, South Korea
35. SPC Loforte, Michelle, U.S. Army, Fort Bliss, TX
36. SSG Offerman, Ft. Bliss, TX
37. GSE3 Bollmann, USN
38. DC2 Pettit, USN
39. MN3 Roewe, USN @ Sasebo, Japan
40. MN3 Harvey, USN Sasebo, Japan
41. MN3 ESPOSITO, US NAVY, SASEBO JAPAN
42. MNSN FRANTZ,MICHAEL C., USN< SASEBO JAPAN
43. MN3 Tassey, USN Sasebo, Japan
44. HM3 Peoples, U.S. Navy, 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines
45. HM3 Schlunsen, US Navy, Naval Medical Center San DIego
46. HN (FMF) McGraw, US Navy, 3RD MED BN, 3RD MLG
47. CPL McGraw, US ARMY, 187th INF REGT(RAKKASAN) 101st ABN
48. Stacy W. Family Readiness Instuctor Army Reserves
49. Erin L. Navy GF, Marine sister, Army and Navy granddaughter
50. Andrea A. C., AF wife
51. Connie ~ Granddaughter of a retired Navy man, cousin to a few Army men.
52. A1C Muffley Casey S. USAF Minot AFB
53. A1C Beusch, James J. USAF Minot AFB
54. A1C Beusch, Dawn R. USAF Minot AFB
55. A1C Harris, Christopher A. USAF Dobbins ARB, Grandson of a great man who served his country in the USAF.
56. A1C McClain, Keith F USAF Minot AFB
57. PFC Trahan, Lucas E USMC, Okinawa
58. LCpl Johnson Jr., Darrel A USMC, Kansas
59. PFC baker charles H USMC, okinawa japan
60. Euchner,Yvonne
61. McKay, Michael (former USAFR and MOANG)
62.PFC honeysuckle dustin 82nd airbourne
63. nikki gibson- army wife
64. Daisy Shingleton-army wife
65. Spc william sego 82nd airborne fort bragg NC
66. Kylie Spence
67. SSG Mojica,Cesar (USAJFKSWC, Special Forces trainee)
68. SPC Harris, David - 82 ABN DIV
69. SPC Adamo, Paul - 82d ABN DIV
70. Nikki Johnson-Grandaughter of a Marine and a Fighter Pilot-North Carolina
71. Aaron Gagneur- 101 Airborne Division Air Assault
72. Jacob Sellers - 101st ABN Division Air Assault
73. Stacy Cozine - 101st ABN DIV (AASLT)
74. J. Busch - Panama City Beach Fire Recue (USN grand dad)
75. Kristin Parnell - Army wife and Air Force daughter
76. Angela Sammons
77.AOAN Applewhite- USN, NAB CORONADO
78. ISSN Lapham - USN, Norfolk
79. A1C Thielman- USAF, Ramstein Germany AB
80. SrA Wentworth-USAF, RAB GE
81. SrA Jones-USAF, Ramstein AB Germany
82. SrA Clark - USAF, Whiteman AFB MO
83. A1C Korf- USAF, whiteman AFB Mo
84. A1C Warren- USAF, Whiteman AFB, MO
85. A1C Pierce-USAF, Kliene Brogel, Belgium
86. K Brantley, USAF dependent Whiteman AFB MO
87. C. Johnson USAF
88. J. Dutcher USAF dependent, Whiteman AFB
89. S. Brown USAF, Whiteman AFB, MO AirForce Wife
90. SGT Daniels, Keisha-101st ABN DIV (AASLT)
91. SGT Rice, Ashly-101st ABN DIV
92. SPC Boucher, Samantha- 164th MP Co. Ft Richardson AK
93. Barbara Schultz- Army Mother
94. PFC Van Horn- 1102nd GSU Ft Richardson Ak
95. PFC Donnelly, Bobbie
96. PV2 Tavel, Gwynnne 212th MP CO Weisbaden Germany
97. PFC Miles, Darian 190th MP Co. Kennesaw, Georgia
98. PFC Howell, Jeffrey HHC STB Ft. Riley Kansas
99. PFC Scronce, Jacob HHC STB Ft. Riley Kansas
100. Wife of PV2-Parker, Latishia...Ft. Riley Kansas
101. Terry M. cousin in Army Ft Hood. Tx
102. SPC Uribe, Tosha 602nd maint. co ft. hood tx
103. Wife of PFC-Johnson, Jessica...Ft. Hood Tx
104. PFC Michael Reynolds, 11th Air Defense Artillery Brigade
105. Robert Dale, Grandson of a retired Navy man, nephew to a few Army men and air force and brother to a marine.
106. Karen Crockford, Air Force and Army granddaugter, daughter of a Sailor, girlfriend of a Marine.
107. Shannon M, Girlfriend of a deployed Marine Cpl
108. Heather Causey full military family an USMC FIANCE
109. Heather Crum-Daughter of an Army vet & USMC GF
110. Meggan Gonzalez- USMC Wife
111.Ashley Davis- USMC Wife
112. Natasha Weiker - Granddaughter of WWII Vet, Stepdaughter of USN Vet, Sister of USN, ...
113. Kristen Schalk - Girlfriend of a 101st Airborne Division Soldier (Infantry)
114. Heather Speck- wife of 1-28th Infantry Solider (Love You Baby)
115. April Cefalu- Wife of a 1-28 Infantry Soldier
116. Spc. Turchi-US Army
117.Ashley Turchi-amry wife
118.Kim Darnley-army mom
119.Mary Lackey-army mom
120.Angel Amick-army sister
121. Jenna McManus - USMC (1st Battalion, 8th Marines, Charlie Company) sister, granddaughter of retired United States Navy Officer
122.MASA Urbanski-United States Navy Wallops island,va
123MASA NASH-USN WALLOPS ISLAND VA!!
124. Amn Aylsworth- USAF TACP 101st AIRBORNE
125.A1C McCasland - USAF 43d Civil Engineering Squadron
126. Amn Wright - USAF 17th Civil Engineering Squadron
127. ktg - Army Airborne Ranger girlfriend
128. Michelle Brown-Army Combat engineers proud wife
129. Karen Causey- Proud Army Wife
130. Julie Springer~ Proud Army Wife...whose Husband is overworked and underpaid. Besides...how dare u put a price on YOUR freedom!
131. Steven Trejo Sr proud BFF of a deployed Marine
132. Steven Trejo Jr proud nephew of an Uncle KIA in Desert Storm
133. Damian Trejo proud nephew of an Uncle KIA in Desert Storm
134. Dante Trejo proud nephew of an Uncle KIA in Desert Storm
135. Sora Trejo proud niece of an Uncle KIA in Desert Storm
136. Elizabeth Trejo proud niece of an Uncle KIA in Desert Storm
137. Christina Trejo ~ Proud BFF 2 a deployed Marine, niece of an Uncle KIA in Desert Storm, Great Niece of an Uncle wounded in Namm, cousin to a Marine, cousin to a Navy Seal, BFF to an Army Infantry wife, and Coastie Brat!
138. Staci- Proud Marine girlfriend :)
139. How eloquently stated! Mandi Bethel-Horn-Proud Marine Wife
140. Erika P. USMC WIFE
141. Alicia Kaisen~ Proud USMC Wife
142. Lauren O. ~ Proud USMC Wifey
143. Jessie Avila~ VERY PROUD USMC WIFE, Camp Lejeune, NC
144. Virginia Loven ~ proud USMC wife
145.Annie Mullins~USMC wife
146 Christina Parker~USMC wife
147. Daniel Apiag~Son of a 20+ year Navy Veteran
148. Nikki Baker-Granddaughter of retired Navy Chief, cousin to a Navy man
149. LeeAnn--proud gf of a smokin' submarriner...in the Navy, of course
150. Josh Bailey- brother of a US Army Ranger, son of a retired Colonel and grandson of WWII and Korean war Vet
151. Michael Turnbow-US Navy Vet
152. Armand Riley-US Navy Vet
153. jon roche just an american THANK YOU
154. Nikole Renee ~ Sister of an Army Vet (173rd Airborne Infantry-Served in Iraq & Afghanistan)
155. Mike Eshaq former Cpl. USMC
156. James Piche~ PVT ANG
157. Angi Szalai-Supporter of our Armed Forces!!
158. Scott J. Giard ~ Former OS1, US Coast Guard.
159. Justin D. Olson~BM1, US Coast Guard.
160. A1C Slaughter~Travis AFB 60th CES
161. Amn Dagza - Whiteman AFB 509th CES
162.A1C Castaneda- Nellis AFB 99th SSS
163. A1C Bunte-Nellis AFB 99th SSS
164.A1C Woolery-Offutt AFB 55th SFS
165. A1C Ankenbauer Jr - Robins AFB
166. A1C Murray - Robins AFB 78 SFS
167. A1C Doell - Barksdale AFB 2nd SFS
168.A1C Terrence Cole-Edwards AFB 95th SFS
169.Minette Rivera - proud fiancee of A1C Terrence Cole
170. PFC Van Gelder- U.S. army 1-25 sbct
171. PFC Cohen- U.S. ARMY 1-25 sbct
172. PFC Willey- U.S. Army-443 mp co, proud son of air force veterans, brother to a marine, grandson of a IWO JIMA vet
173. PFC Brewer-U.S. Army Reserves 320th MP Unit
174. PFC Mohr- Army National Guard 32nd Mp co.
175. PFC Rawson- Army Reserves 391st Mp bn Hq
176. SPC Moore - MOARNG 1137th MP CO
177. PFC Cowan- Texas National guard
178. PFC Merck- 304th MP BN, DET 4, United States Army
179. PFC Theriac-354th MP BN, United States Army
180. SPC Baxter-233rd MP CO
181. PFC Choate- 2-130 Inf
182. Theresa Napiorkowski-My Husband and Sons protect your freedom!
183. Terri Robinson- USMC WIFE 3/5 Wpns Co.. I know for a fact he does NOT get paid enough. Father and two brothers in the Army!
184. PFC Napiorkowski-2/130
185.A1C Davila- AF Mountain home, id
186. A1C Orton- AF Mountain Home, Idaho
187. A1C Brown- AF Mountain Home AFB, ID
188. A1C Patrick- AF Mountain Home, ID
189. Dolly Girodo - Wife of A1C Girodo - USAF Mountain Home AFB, ID
190.Caroline Harman-wife of SRA-Mountain Home AFB, ID we are a family of four and barly make ends meat!
191.SRA Nathanel Harman-Mountain Home AFB, ID..
192. A1C Stone-USAF-Mountain Home AFB, Id.
193. Kate and Ezekial Stone-wife and son of A1C Stone-USAF Mountain Home AFB, Id.
194. Audrey King- Proud wife of SGT. King-Fort Benning Georgia!
195. Carole Basel Wife of SSGT Daniel Basel
196. Catrina Money Proud Wife of TSGT Curtis Money-F.E. Warren AFB
197. Mary D. ~ PROUD USAF Wife
198. Maria T. - proud daughter of retired SFC A. Tabulina, Fort Lewis, WA
199. MK2 Carlson-U.S. Coast Guard-Sector Miami
200. MK2 Woebkenberg-U.S. Coast Guard-M.S.R.T.
201. GM2/SPC Dorgan USCG/US ARMY
202. SGT Trevino US Army ...Call me crazy, but I remember year long deployments. You six month guys were lucky.
203. SSG Rose U.S. ARMY FRT. LEWIS, WA
204. SGT Becerra- US Army... SIx Months?? Year long?? how's 15 months damn i wish I was in the army back then.. :P
205. SGT Fisher U.S. Army 2nd ID. FT. Lewis WA.
206. SPC. Carroll US. Army 2nd INF DIV. FT. Lewis WA.
207. SGT Orebaugh, US. Army 2nd INF DIV. Ft Lewis WA
208. SGT Booth, US Army 2nd INF DIV, Ft Lewis, WA
209. Erin Vannoy Proud wife of a First Class Navy Man NAS Lemoore
210. Amber Peterson, Proud Wife to AT1 Peterson NAS Lemoore
211. SSgt Colbert, Jill Peterson AFB Colorado Spring and my husband SGT Colbert, Aaron Fort Carson/Iraq
212. SSgt Evans, Martin Kadena AB Japan!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
213. A1C Ochse, Alexis, Kadena AB Japan, 18th SFS
214. A1C Martinez, April 18 SFS/Kadena AB Japan
215. Vanessa Conkrite pround girlfriend of PFC Henry Fort Carson
216. A1C Fowler, Tabitha Peterson AFB, CO
217. A1C Dodgin, Aviano AFB, Italy
218. A1C Morlock, Nellis AFB, Nevada
219. A1C Johnson F.E. Warren AFB, Wyoming
220. Chelsey Martin, proud wife of A1C Jacob Martin, AF Reserve
221. A1C Martin
222. Toni Brenning - Proud Army Wife of SPC Jeffrey Brenning, Operation Irai Freedom!!
223. Sarah Cutter-Proud Army Wife of SPC Stephen Cutter who is currently serving in Iraq.
224. SPC Stephen Cutter-Saw Gunner-OIF 5
225. Spc Macklin Douglas-Saw Gunner OIF 5 and proud boyfriend of PV2 Boyle Johnna about to be deployed to Iraq.
226. PV2 Boyle Johnna- Military Police, Hawaii being deployed to Iraq!
227. PFC Doeslaere Amanda - Military Police, IL NG
228. Shannon Cherry - USMC WIFE - Brother is in 101st airborne - Best friend in the National Gaurd - Best Friends boyfriend in the USMC - Grandaughter to a WWII vet
229. aimee Z -wounded USMC hero's wife.
230. Corporal Bogna, Timothy G. - United States Marine Corps
231. (Former) SGT Crow, B. A. - United States Marine Corps
232. Amn Haskins 39 SFS Incirlik AFB, Turkey
233. Amn Lyons, USAF SFS
234. A1C kleb Incirlik AB, Turkey
235. (vet) Lcpl Alan Lewis

Well first let me start off by wishing everyone all the best in 2008.  I hope it is everything that you want and need it to be.  I think the subject of my first blog will be a look back,with commentary about things that have happened during the past year.  Some serious, some touching, and some just funny. Or ast least I think so.  Some of the topics will be local in nature, some will be national/worldwide, and some will be specific to my family, friends, and/or hobbies.  Without further delay:

NATIONAL/WORLD

1) Presidential Elections:  Who cares!  the bottom line is simple.  It doesn't matter who becomes president.  They all have one personal agenda in mind and that is to get the power and get reelected.  No one has any fresh ideas, and even if they did, the office of the president is powerless to do anything.  Its power derives from Congress and as long as we have a Congress that can;t use common sense nothing dramatic will get accomplished.  HMMM...Maybe I should run for President.  Lets see, I have some ideas:  Lets stop wars, lower taxes, improve the economy, improve education, and help the environment.  Sounds pretty good.  Of course, does anyone believe we shouldn't do these things?  Of course not.  I say get rid of all the politicians and start fresh with people who are high on common sense and low on "political experience" 

2) The Economy:  It blows.  Pricces are too high and wages are too low.  Or better yet wages are not in line with the importance/education or experience needed for the job.  nuff said.

3) Smoking Bans:  I know you Cali people ahve been dealing with this for years and those of you that don't smoke don't have a problem with this.  So here is the deal.  I smoke.  I also respect the right of other to not smoke and not breathe in my smoke.  However,to governmentally impose a restriction on me doing something that is not illegal, is a slap in the face to my freedom.  I understand that a non smoker probably wants to go out and not have to smell the smoke.  But why does it have to be govenrmentally imposed.  Leave it up th the business owners.  If there is a bar owner and they want to make their bar non smoking. then they have that right.  Conversly they should have the rigght to make it smoking.  If the owner wants to forgo the revenues they could receive for non smokers or smokers then that should be their choice.  Whant about the workers who don't want to breathe the smoke you say?  They should get a job in a non smoking establishment.  It is no different than if you were a vegetarian or a fanatic member of PETA, you wouldn't work in a steakhouse, because you don't believe in their business practices.  That being said, I have no problem with certain places being non smoking such as school grounds, public venues where the non smokers and smokers congregate without the options.  Again common sense.

FEEL GOOD STORY:  Well let me rephrase.  This was a story that was horrible but ended up with a happy ending.  Those local to Saint Louis are familiar but if you live elsewhere you may not be.  4 years ago a young boy was abducted while on a bike ride not far from his home.  After a region wide search for him turned up no leads the case was, like so many others left open but became dormant.  At the beginning of 2007, another boy was abducted and went missing.  4 days passed and a young man happened to see a vehicle that he thought matched the decription of one authorities were looking for in connection with the 2nd disappearance.  The authorities swooped in and by some miracle found not only the 2nd boy but also the one who went missing 4 years earlier.  They arrested/convicted the man responsible and the boys are back with ther families try to ragian what they lost.  The monster responsible was convicted to several life sentences and a sentence or something like 179 years.  He will never taste freedom again.

Ok this has become too serious.  Lets take a look at sports:

BASEBALL:  My defending champion Cardinals blew this year and so did their manager (a .12 blood alcohol). 

Steriod scandal rock the baseball world.  Who could believe it?  Pro ballplayers using steriods.  I though they got those tree trunk size necks from good eating, amino acids, and one a day vitamins.  All those involved with baseball have had there heads stuck in the sand long enough and they are all to blame.  Bring back the pure sport that I love.

Barry Bonds breaks Hank Aaron's record.  Bonds can't hold Aaron's jock.

FOOTBALL:  First of all the most important piece of football news.  Michael, my youngest son, played his Freshman year of football.  His team finished with an 8-1 record (8 wins in a row to end the season).  He wsa starting Middle Linebacker.  Great Job and I look forward to another great year in 2008.  All the players on his team are a great bunch of guys.  Since I coached them in 8th grade, I think they should credit me with all of their success. (just kidding)

Patriots are perfect.  16-0 and counting.  I thought I would never see a team in the NFL go undefeated.  They are quite simply the mostdominating team I ahve ever witnessed.  Great players, coaches, and videographers.

O. J. Simpson:  In his wuest to findthe real killer, he got caught up in an armed robbery.  Man he has some bad luck.

MUSIC: There has been some good, some bad, and some ok. 

PERSONAL STUFF:

Fantasy Football:  OK yes I am a fantasy football geek so deal with it.  It's fun.  I had a decent year in one league, finished fifth overall and the champion of the runner up flight.  That is after drafting in the number 12 spot.  In my other league I completely blew.  Well to be honest everyone except My sister in law and nephew's team blew.  they smoked all of us that supposedly know something about the game.  Congratulations AWFL.  ps Aaron, I ahve figured out why you keep finishing in second place.  You are the second son of the second son.  You are destined to be second, son.

FAMILY:  You realize you getting older when you ahve two boys and they one day woke up and were young men.  They are both in high school now and they, sadly are both taller than me.  Of course I am very proud of them and they are my hero's

That is all for now.  Take care everyone and have a Great New Year.