Thank You!

As a nation, our thoughts and prayers today and everyday are with our service men and women who are serving the world over to protect our freedoms at home. I want to thank my Navy daughter who served her country with honor and distinction, not only on the high seas, but also in Iraq. Her mother and I are some of the lucky ones whose sons and daughters came home to a hero’s welcome.

As parents, our hearts go out to the families who were not so fortunate. Their children gave the ultimate sacrifice for the concept of freedom for all. It has been this way down through the ages because the fight for human dignity and freedom remains the goal of every peace loving country.

I, for one, wish peace could prevail around the globe, but there are others who try and dominate the world through fear, torture and death. As long as these tyrants exist, we, as a freedom loving people, must stand and be counted among the nations that will resist until the tyranny is vanquished.

Today, as we honor our fallen soldiers, let us pray also for our wounded ones as well. These young combatants are dealing with all manner of terrible injuries. Sometimes the scars are not visible, but they are there just the same. There are horrible psychological wounds that disable just as surely as bullets or shrapnel. The road to recovery is a long and painful journey and we need to support each and every one toward a full recovery.

For those still fighting the good fight, I pray you all return home safe and sound. America can never repay the services our fighting men and women have performed throughout our history to make the world a safer place to live. We can only thank them from the bottom of our hearts….

Write on,

Mittster

USS Ronald Reagan

It must be of great comfort to the Japanese people to see the mightiest war ship on the planet docked in their harbor, knowing that the ship is there to use its awesome power of death to bring about the power of life. What they don't see is the strike group that always accompanies the carrier a short distance offshore. This group constitutes the most deadly arsenal afloat or beneath any ocean and stands ready to be of assistance to Japan in their time of need, and to let other countries know it is unwise to think of any aggression while Japan is on its knees.

I liken the deployment of the USS Ronald Reagan to the starship USS Enterprise orbiting around a Federation planet preparing to help them in their time of need. It may be an unrealistic comparison, but it does illustrate the dual purpose of every branch of our military. They (the military) are not warmongers always looking for an excuse to wage war, but instead, they are men and women who understand what a fragile world we live on and the horror of leaders who would try to rule our world through fear, torture, and death.

As I sit here pondering the fate of the Japanese people, reactor meltdowns, global health and financial repercussions, the picture of the USS Ronald Reagan in Japan’s port gives me reassurance and comfort also. I have had the honor of being a guest aboard the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vincent while my daughter served in the Navy. I came away from that “Tiger Cruise” amazed at the dedication of our young men and women who serve our country. They are ready and willing to serve not only in war, but in a humanitarian role as well, just like they are now doing in Japan.

Would you and I volunteer to go to Japan right now considering the dangers from radiation and disease? I freely admit I would rather just send money. The men and women aboard the ships of the strike force understand very well the risks they are now facing, as do the many volunteers from other countries that are there to help find survivors. A risky business indeed…and that is an understatement!

While I dare not think of the global impact this disaster could have on the rest of the world, I must admit the spirit of the Japanese people is inspirational. While I sit here worrying about my future, the people of Japan are digging in and starting to repair their country. Even though they know that thousands of their countrymen have perished, the one and only goal is to rebuild. Let us all pray that nuclear radiation does not prevent that from happening. If the unthinkable should happen, our home is open to as many of our Japanese friends as will fit….

I’m just saying,

Mittster

Words from a Warrior

An e-mail from Fred fighting in Afghanistan:

Hi Mitt!

Thank you very much for the book "Evil in the Mirror". I read it cover to cover the day I received it and I'm sure I will read it several times while I'm here! You did a fantastic job, great story line, well written, and it kept my attention the whole time! I couldn't put it down! Chris said you have finished writing a second book. Let me know when it comes out on Amazon and I will gladly purchase a copy of it. You're very talented so keep it up! I am on a very small base near the border with Pakistan, crazy country this place is. We were ambushed on my first convoy around 9pm, a large group of Taliban fighters hit us with RPGs and small arms fire. We fought them off and made it safe and sound! I am hoping things quiet down a bit now that the elections are over with. Well, I have to run for now but thanks again for the great book and I look forward to reading your second novel! Feel free to e-mail me now that you have my address and I will keep in touch as well! Thanks again, Mitt!

Fred

My comments back to Fred:

Hi, Fred,

Thanks for the book comments and you can bet I will send you a signed copy of Day Stalker just as soon as it's published. You cannot buy a book of mine. The least I can do is send you free books. You and your comrades are doing what it takes to keep America safe!

I want everyone who heeds the call of battle to come home safe and sound soon!

Sincerely,

Mitt