Month: June 2019

Trump’s D-Day Speech

No matter what side you take; no matter your opinion of the man; no matter what else you may “feel” about him/his election/etc. — this is an amazing speech. It reminds me in content of Reagan, though the delivery is delightfully his own. Again, no matter your politics you need to stop, watch, listen, and think.

More Free Ice Cream Soon (?)

I really am working to get things up and going again. There are some posts I’ve promised people I would do; there are posts I want to do; and, there is fun stuff to share. That said, it is taking longer to get things working well for that than I care for. However, it is in work.

Meantime, here’s a shot from Utah Beach. I had put my Battlemug (full of coffee) down while I did some photographs not long after dawn, looked down, and realized there was a great shot literally at my feet…

David Bellavia To Receive Medal of Honor

Long-overdue, and well deserved. To those who don’t know him or his story, allow me to recommend:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 10, 2019
President Donald J. Trump to Award the Medal of Honor
 On Tuesday, June 25, 2019, President Donald J. Trump will award the Medal of Honor to David G. Bellavia for conspicuous gallantry while serving as a Staff Sergeant in the United States Army. 
             
Then-Staff Sergeant David G. Bellavia will receive the Medal of Honor for his actions on November 10, 2004, while serving as a squad leader in support of Operation Phantom Fury in Fallujah, Iraq.  Then-Staff Sergeant Bellavia was clearing a block of houses when his platoon became pinned down.  He quickly exchanged an M16 rifle for an M249 Squad Automatic Weapon, entered the house where his squad was trapped, and engaged insurgents, providing cover fire so that he and his fellow soldiers could exit safely.  A Bradley Fighting Vehicle arrived to help suppress the enemy, but it could not fire directly into the house.  Then-Staff Sergeant Bellavia re-entered the house, armed with an M16, and assaulted insurgents who were firing rocket-propelled grenades.  He proceeded to kill one insurgent and wound another, who then ran to another part of the house.  Then-Staff Sergeant Bellavia was soon engaged by another insurgent rushing down the stairs when the previously wounded insurgent reemerged to engage him as well.  Then-Staff Sergeant Bellavia returned fire, killing both attackers.  He then took enemy fire from an insurgent who had appeared from a closet across the room.  He pursued him up the stairs and killed him.  Soon thereafter, he moved to the roof where he engaged and wounded a fifth insurgent, who fell from the roof of the building.  That remarkable day, then-Staff Sergeant Bellavia rescued an entire squad, cleared an insurgent strongpoint, and saved many members of his platoon from imminent threat.
 
PERSONAL BACKGROUND:
 
David Bellavia enlisted in the United States Army in 1999.  After previously serving in Kosovo, he deployed to Iraq in 2004 with Company A, Task Force 2-2, 1st Infantry Division.  He was released from duty on August 16, 2005.  David now has his own daily radio talk show for WBEN in Buffalo, New York.  He continues to serve the military and veteran communities through a number of philanthropic organizations. 
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION THE MEDAL OF HONOR:

The Medal of Honor is awarded to members of the Armed Forces who distinguish themselves conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of their own lives above and beyond the call of duty while:engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States;engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; orserving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.The meritorious conduct must involve great personal bravery or self-sacrifice so conspicuous as to clearly distinguish the individual above his or her comrades and must have involved risk of life.  There must be incontestable proof of the performance of the meritorious conduct, and each recommendation for the award must be considered on the standard of extraordinary merit.

CAO Columbia

Not the best photo, but a good cigar. Though I tend towards maduro and fuller-flavored cigars, I do like an occasional lighter smoke.

The CAO Columbia is one of those treats, though to call it lighter doesn’t fully do justice to it’s rich spices and medium to full body. From cinnamon to woodsy notes, there is plenty of flavor in the cigar. Recommended.

Jumping Back To D-Day

I really wish I could have been back again this year, as they are fast leaving us. So many are like this gentleman: They still have that gleam in their eye and are still willing to do it again. Bravo Zulu sir!