Category: Gathering of Eagles

  • We Few… We Happy Few…

    While the Band of Brothers speech from Henry VI used to always be posted on St. Crispin’s Day, the date was unintentionally missed this year. Maybe it’s more appropriate to place that speech here today, on the 100th anniversary of the ending of World War I.

    It is therefore herewith provided, and while at the time, women did not participate in warfare (with the exception of Jeanne d’Arc) , perhaps you could include “and Sisters” in your mind during Kenneth Branagh’s rousing pep talk by Henry V to his troops before the Battle of Agincourt.

    And set a place for those who did not make it home….

    … and sing the “Non Nobis” and “Te Deum” and then… to home.

     

  • The Truth Is Out There – Pt. II

    On September 9, I wrote an article about the 24th MEU being deployed to engage in a joint exercise with other allies in Norway.  https://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/your-marine-corps/2018/09/06/24th-marine-expeditionary-unit-will-head-to-norway-to-join-40000-troops-strong-nato-exercise/

    Marines with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, or MEU, are slated to participate in one of the largest NATO exercises later this fall hosted by Norway, according to Marine officials.

    Yesterday, I was surprised to find an article on WattsUpWithThat, a climate blog, informing us that the FBI guys had shut down the Daniel K. Inouye Solar Observatory in New Mexico with no explanation, chased all personnel out, and closed the two post offices that serve that site.  The same thing has happened at several other solar observatories.

    https://wattsupwiththat.com/2018/09/12/weird-fbi-closes-national-solar-observatory-over-mysterious-security-issue/

    WEIRD: FBI closes National Solar Observatory over mysterious ‘security issue’

    Unless I miss my guess, this tower/antenna construction around a solar ‘scope, which solar physicists use to study the sun, is a throwback to the listening posts that used to be called the DEW (Distant Early Warning) system.  My guess is that it’s the same thing: set up a network of listening posts to tune into the Chinese/Russian war games, monitor the activity, and be alert for a missile from that area “going off course by accident” (sure, Vlad!) and heading this way.

    While this is puzzling to the general public, and especially to the people who are sure space aliens are involved in this somehow, I think it’s more likely this and the other sites are being set up to mimic the DEW system managed by NORAD back in the long ago, when we were still in the midst of the Cold War, when a nuclear missile from the Soviet Union reaching the USA was a real threat, and is still a threat today.

    Since Vlad Putin and Xi JinPing are engaging in joint war games of their own, prompting the USA to engage in the same joint exercises in Norway, I see nothing mysterious at all about the co-opting of a solar scope, or several, as listening posts for the Feebies.

    The Inouye Solar Observatory is in New Mexico, not far from White Sands, which is a missile testing range as well as a military base. There are military bases in Texas, Arizona, California, Nevada, Nebraska. You name the state, and there’s a base somewhere. NS Great Lakes may be a recruit training command, but the art of seamanship is being taught there now. It would take no effort, as I have noted before, to turn Waukegan International Airport and Mitchell Airport near Milwaukee into military air bases. The Great Lakes are deep enough to accommodate ships like destroyers and aircraft carriers and with modern-day ships, the problems that plagued the 1939 training program on Lake Michigan (not enough wind for lift for the planes)  are no long an issue.

    As others have noted, when the interstate highway system was constructed during the Eisenhower administration, the object was partly to provide adequate runways for military aircraft. On a six-lane highway, how many troop transport trucks could you move efficiently to a waiting troop carrier aircraft?

    In addition, we all know (because we can see those videos) that the  people at Minot AFB practice the 15-second MITO exercises and scrambles constantly, as do all aircraft carrier crews and all military air bases.  (Cue the MITO video from ‘Gathering of Eagles.)

    I’m guessing, of course, but if towers and antennas are being set up at these solar observatories, it’s because there is something going on, and the observatories are in the perfect location to set up a network mimicking the DEW system from the Cold War.

    There used to be a ring of Minuteman missile silos around Lincoln, NE, where my paternal grandmother lived. When we went to visit her, she’d take us there for dinner and we had a ringside seat to watch the fighter jets taking off.  Frankly, I felt much more secure about such things during the Cold War than I do now.

    I kind of miss those days.

  • An Anniversary – A Gathering Of Eagles

    OWB posted this elsewhere. OWB also has a better way with words than I and handled security for the event, while I handled communications.

    Ten years ago this morning a group of patriots, mostly veterans, gathered in Washington DC to counter a disgusting assembly of lefty scum as they met at the Wall to recreate their 1967 march on the Pentagon. There are so many parts of that operation which are worthy of mention. But a few things continue to stand out in my mind.

    On both sides of the street were people of very different backgrounds who came together for a common cause. Only one group had folks they either paid or otherwise enticed to be there. Seeing the local area yellow buses unloading school children at the site was an eye opener.

    Perhaps the most graphic demonstration of the difference between the two groups came when they were literally facing each other across Constitution Avenue with the US Park Service mounted police between them. The whining children were loudly chanting, “What do we want?” followed by a garbled response most of us never identified, then, “When do we want it?” followed by, “NOW!” Meanwhile the Veterans were waving flags while chanting, “USA, USA, USA.” The children who can’t articulate a clear message but they want what they want and they expect someone to provide it right now vs the adults who know what is needed and have already proved their willingness to work hard to make it happen.

    What a day. While A Gathering of Eagles wasn’t solely responsible for the awakening of this country, we certainly were an important part of it. It took others also doing important things to get us finally to this point. But we who served in the military understand that it takes each of us doing our jobs to accomplish the mission.

    It was an honor to be a small part of the operation we called “A Gathering of Eagles.” Friends were made. Associations were cemented. But mostly, thousands of patriots were energized and given hope when they saw that many others shared their concerns.

    Ten years later we see the ripple effect of that energy being directed in positive ways. Thank you all.

    Jonn added: TAH was there, by the way.

  • Two Warriors Pass to Valhalla

    There were several notices in the weekend paper regarding the passing of World War II veterans. Some of the text was simply written as ‘joined the Army’ or ‘served his country’. A few had a little more detail, so this is for two of them. Dave Hardin is trying to get more info on a third for me.

    From the 126th USAF Refueling Wing:

    We regret to inform you of the passing of Brig. Gen. James A. Carroll on January 20, 2017.

    Brig. Gen. James A. Carroll retired from the Illinois Air National Guard on 5 April 1981. General Carroll was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, the National Guard Bureau Certificate of Service, the Illinois ANG citation of Merit and the Silver Circle Pin. General Carroll entered the US Army in January 1943, and was commissioned in 1945. He entered the Illinois Army Guard in 1947 and served there until 1956 when he entered the Air Guard and was assigned as a Supply Officer for the 217th EIS. From July 1958 until November 1973 he served as the 126th Transportation Squadron Commander, Wing Material Officer, ABRON Executive Officer, Equipment Management Officer and Supply Squadron Commander. In 1973 he was named Deputy Commander for Logistics. In 1978 General Carroll was assigned Deputy Commander for Resources.

    The Facebook link is here, and there are photos of GEN Caroll on the 126th’s Facebook page.   Sorry I don’t have anything about where he was or what he did during World War II.

    https://www.facebook.com/126ARW/posts/10154994387824173

    The next is Alvin Frisque, 2nd LT, a co-pilot in the 9th Bomber Command’s 326th Bombardment Group, 573rd Squadron.  He joined the Army Air Corps in 1942.  His pilot was 2nd LT Wm. Appleton.  The crew flew 13 missions toward the end of World War II. The history of the B-26 Bombardment Group is at this link.

    http://www.b26.com/page/391/bomb_group.htm

    The crew lists for the 573rd Squadron are here. Each plane carried a 7-man crew, including a nose gunner.  http://www.391stbombgroup.com/573crew.htm

    Both of these men had good careers after World War II, and large families, including great grandchildren.  They came home and went on about their business. GEN Carroll stayed in the Air Force, while Mr. Frisque headed a team that developed a water polymer still in use today.  These are the old heroes, and we are losing them, one day at a time.

  • SecDef Nominee Mattis’s Background a Plus

    Arthur I. Cyr has written a thoughtful look at the nomination of GEN James Mattis for Secretary of Defense.

    He examines the history of the Obama administration’s various departmental secretaries in his article, and also refers to George Marshall’s tenure as the US Army Chief of Staff during World War II, and his subsequent positions as Secretary of State and of Defense, post WWII.

    http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/lake-county-news-sun/opinion/ct-lns-cyr-mattis-defense-secretary-st-0120-20170119-story.html

    I think that President Trump (get used to hearing that, kids) is making possibly the smartest choices in his cabinet since the end of World War II, and we have brighter days ahead.

    The other issue he faces is putting people back to work in real jobs, which will bring real income back into this country.  One analyst said that Trump is a ‘protectionist’, unlike Reagan, but at this point in time, I think we need someone exactly like that.

  • St. Patrick’s Day – A Different Perspective.

    Six years ago a bunch of vets got together in DC. Many were ‘Nam vets coming out of hiding. Captain Bailey and Colonel Riley put out a call and the response was wonderful.

    A bunch of folks were threatening Our Wall, but that really wasn’t quite as important to us as seeing to it that what happened to us didn’t happen to a new generation of vets.

    Look up The Gathering of Eagles if you will.  I won’t bore you with my recollections of that day save three items. OWB handled security. but there are no suitable pix.

    Our pal Kit sang:

    And your humble Geezer handled Commo:

    Hpim3293a

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • From Captain Larry Bailey:

    Slight disclaimer: A personal friend AND a friend to TAH.

     

    This is from Special Operations Speaks as mentioned several times here on TAH.

  • Sad News Via Gathering of Eagles

    From Larry Bailey via OWB.

    12/20/2011

    Eagles!
    This is from our sister organization, Eagles Up.  Let’s help this unlucky family get back on their feet.  What a trial they’ve had and are having, especially with the Westboro Baptist Church harassment calls.  That family of devils should have THEIR “home” burnt down around them!

    Merry Christmas to you all!

    Larry Bailey

    Full details At GoE.

    Here’s an ugly highlight:

    I unfortunately have some horrible news. If things weren’t bad enough for the family, Bill got a phone call from the westboro baptist church. They are the idiots who protest military funerals. The caller told Bill that it was the best day of their life when his son was killed, and it’s an even better day that they lost everything in the fire. They were all cheering in the phone. What *%!)&~# ! How can they call themselves a church? I won’t say what I think should be done with all of them, but I’m sure you agree.