Above the Rest

So the transition to the new Unit is done.  I am no longer a part of the Mighty Shoremasters...it was bittersweet.  I went into the week with a crappy attitude and wasn't really looking forward to the change.  I was having to leave my very first unit.  I had gone through so much in the past year and I was comfortable, not happy just comfortable and I thought that was enough to get me through the weeks.  I couldn't have been more wrong. 

We went in for formation Tuesday morning to draw our weapon that we had been assigned and shot during out time at 241st.  We were going to be able to transfer to the unit with our weapon and in hindsight this is a really great idea, we have gone to the range and qualified on theses weapon, they are set to our individual standards and keeping them just makes sense (this rarely happens in the military!!)

  We drew our weapons and formed up again.  Role was called for one last time by our "old" 1st Sgt and then our "new" 1 Sgt took over the formation.  He again called role (cause in the 30 seconds it took to take over the formation someone could have simply vanished into thin air...see what I mean about common sense?) we were then marched from 241st company area across the quad and to our "new company". 

 Once we were at the new company we handed in our weapons and our pro mask (gas masks for those of you who are wondering) and we began the 2 full days of paperwork that it would take to process us into the new unit.  After this was all said and done we were broken down further into our new platoons and some of us got to find out what our new jobs would be!!  I am happy with where I landed.  I am in 1st Platoon (BACKBONES) and am still going to be able to train and continue to learn my job!!  I am also still with a few of the close friends I came to have at 241st! 

I was really dreading the platoon break downs because I wasn't sure if I would be able to stay with the few guys who I have come to know and trust.  I couldn't really bear the idea of me having to start from square 1 with the male situation that has come to plague my life since joining the Army. Being a happily married woman has left me with a huge target on my back, but this a topic for another blog!!

Once all the improssessing was done, and the integration process started we found ourselves at Thursday!!  Sgt's time training!!  This is time that is set aside every week for us to work on our basic soldiering skills.  We go "back to our soldiering roots" so to speak.  This was something that I had really wondered about...what would it be like?  Would it be a bore and total waste of our time, like I found most Thursday's to be in 241st? 

The answer to that question is....NOT AT ALL!!  I LOVED MY FIRST THURSDAY WITH MY NEW UNIT!!  I think that if this is a reflection of how the training and time is going to be, then I have finally found a place that I can happy most days.

While I am being a 100% realistic about this new chapter, I am going to maintain a positive attitude, I am going to go with the flow and take the punches as they are thrown...I am going to make the best of it and take all that is offered to me, for once I feel the saying "not setting us up for failure" is finally true!!

I am truly happy being "ABOVE THE REST".

My thoughts on Snyder v. Pheps (You know the protesters that plague our fallen furnerals)

I had a invite in my inox on facebook, I really wasn't in a hurry to open it up and read it so it sat there for a few days, this weekend I finally sat down and took  the time to read the messages and invites that I had waiting for me....and wow, this has sparked something in me!!  Let me explain!!

"The U.S. Supreme Court hears Snyder vs Phelps on October 6, 2010, at 10a.m. E.T, and this father of a fallen Marine needs all the prayerful support and encouragement we can offer...r him. Mr. Snyder lost his son, a Marine who fell while serving in Iraq in 2006. His son's funeral was the target of an intrusive, disruptive, hateful WBC (Westboro Baptist Church) led by Fred Phelps. The protesters held signs, stating "God Loves Dead American Soldiers" and "God Hates You". As if that weren't enough, the WBC then took random facts about Mr. Snyder, his fallen son Matthew, and his ex-wife and posted a vile and malicious "Epic" slandering the family."

Wow, its about time that this makes it to the Supreme Court level.  As a former paralegal and aspiring lawyer I understand the legal system better than most.  I understand our basic rights as Americans and am generally okay with it.

Now as a American, Soldier, wife and mother this case outrages me!!!  It outrages me because how can we let this group continue to cause pain and heartache to suffering families!!!  Families that have too paid the ultimate price.  So often we speak of the soldier laying down his life and paying the ultimate sacrifice, but the family too has also paid.  They will never hear their love one's voice again, feel the embrace of a hug, share a laugh, or even the luxury of a fight!!  All of these things we take for granted but you ask anyone who has lost a loved one and they are going to mention all the above and more!!

This group has every right to protest, its in their basic amendment rights but....have they ever once stopped to look at the other side of the coin?  The fact that some where in their family tree a member of their family served in the military?  That it is because of the military that they have the right to protest.  I mean they could live in a country that doesn't even afford women the right to leave home much less the right to protest!!

The restraint that we are forced to have when we see these blatant lies on signs....god hates soldiers, god is happy you are dead...I mean come on now, do I go to a funeral of your loved one to yell hate and lies, nope that is right I am overseas away from my friends and family doing what god and country ask of me.  I put life as I know it on hold so that you can continue to disrespect those who don't deserve it!!

And as far as Fred Phelps goes...what kind of leader sends his "minions" out to do his work...oh wait a spineless coward that's right...history has shown a few of those, Hitler, Saddam, Bid Laden, Mussolini...you get the picture.  He doesn't ever show up to a protest, yet he preaches all of this trash.  Why yes, I would like to follow you to the promise land, wait, will it really be you leading?  Or will you be hiding in a cave or hole somewhere?

So this week when the Supreme Court hears and rules on this case this week, I hope that they will make precedent and case law out of this case.  Show the family the respect and honor that they deserve!!  Put a final stop to this endless crap that plagues the most sorrowful moments in our nation, the lost of a true hero who has paid the ultimate price so you can believe the crap and lies you preach.....