Happy Memorial Day's Weekend

[Naturalhoosier 15,467]

A quick shout out to all of the servicemen and women who have fallen so that we can enjoy our freedoms.

 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOcl17HIa7c

 

THANK YOU!!!!!

 

 

 

As you celebrate with your loved ones please take the time to thank a Veteran for their sacrifice. 

 

Be safe as you enjoy your bbqs, watch the race, and celebrate your freedoms.

[Naturalhoosier 15,467]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UmCbiibZvX0

[Naturalhoosier 15,467]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IoFvBXUamuM

[ellen.walden 84]

As a 33 year Army Veteran, thank you for the tributes.

[Naturalhoosier 15,467]

[quote name="ellen.walden" post="67894" timestamp="1401027499"]As a 33 year Army Veteran[/quote]

I can't like this enough!!!!


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[ccgeneral 38,084]

As a 33 year Army Veteran, thank you for the tributes.

Thank You Ma'am! The only easy day was yesterday!

[ccgeneral 38,084]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJBTyKtbe1A

[OliviaPope40 6,982]

“The cost of freedom is always high, but Americans have always paid it. And one path we shall never choose, and that is the path of surrender, or submission.” -John F. Kennedy

[mamasa 15,653]

[URL]http://projects.militarytimes.com/valor/army-spc-jonathan-d-menke/3664387[/URL]

This was my wife's cousin. Great kid- did a Beanie Baby drive for the Iraqi kids he encountered:)


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[ccgeneral 38,084]

http://projects.militarytimes.com/valor/army-spc-jonathan-d-menke/3664387

This was my wife's cousin. Great kid- did a Beanie Baby drive for the Iraqi kids he encountered:)


Sent from my iPhone using BtownBanners mobile app

Thanks for sharing buddy. Sorry for your loss. Thank You Jonathan for your service! RIP.

[HoosierAloha 30,092]

A Tech's Tale

March 3, 2012 at 6:00pm

 

               Somewhere, in a distant Hell sleeps a man. This man is a legend to those he hasn’t met, a hero to those he has, he is loved by his friends and his family, feared by his enemies, and but a man when he looks in the mirror. His head hit his pillow around midnight; he had worked all day and into the night. His work was hard, but he does not waver. For he is an Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician, he carries a duty that cannot be forsaken, and he is proud. He is asleep, yet his subconscious radiates a reminder, placed there by the Techs that came before him: “Initial Success or Total Failure”. And even in sleep, he is prepared, he is waiting.

 

                A radio next to his rack keys, “Guys, you just got a 9-line.”

 

                His hands reach the radio before his eyes even open. “I’m on my way.” He’s already up and dressing. His eyes meet his clock as he puts on his pants; it’s just after two in the morning. His hands glide from his multi-tool, to the tape on his legs, then to his pockets for the myriad of potential tools. His boots laced, one arm in the blouse, a hand on his door, and he checks the clock again. It’s been two minutes, and heads to his headquarters. His team will be there soon, he never doubts them. He turns on the coffee pot and reads over the report on the coming mission. The report says some tankers spotted a possible IED, the most dangerous and common of weapons currently employed in modern warfare, and it does not discriminate its victims. It’s vague and tells him almost nothing, but he knows where it is, and that’s all he’ll need to start. His team arrives minutes later and they wait for security to rendezvous with them. He, his team, and his truck are always prepared, and waiting for a call. They don’t work hard at preparing; they simply know no other way to live. ”Initial Success or Total Failure… prepare yourself, your team, and your unit to be ready at all times to successfully complete the mission.” words float through his mind, not as a passing thought, but as a constant presence. They get in the truck, and head out with security when they arrive.

 

               They are en route; the Tech is running through possibilities, and mentally preparing for all scenarios. As he’s doing this, he’s prepping his team, coordinating with security, and mentally reviewing incidents in the area. Just a few days ago, a fellow Tech was killed here. She was a great Technician, he never thought it would be her that went; but then, he never thought that about any Techs; they are the very best in the world at what they do. She had encountered a new device; there was nothing she could have done. ”Initial Success or Total Failure… You can do everything right and still have a bad day.” It's the nature of the job, and EOD Technicians know and accept this risk. She was one of the best in the world, he knows this, and it hurt him bad when she died. But he is a Tech, he remembers those who went before him, he learns from every situation, and he employs it all so that her death and the deaths of his brothers will not be in vein. ”Initial Success or Total Failure… ‘Total Failure’ is when you forget those who came before you, those who trained and mentored you to become an EOD Tech and the professional you are, those you served with, and most importantly, those who gave their life for our purpose.”

 

               He reminds himself to be ever aware, as he scans the road and surrounding areas. He checks his team again, not because he thinks they may need guidance, but because these aren’t just his teammates; they are his Brothers, they are more than family, and he is always attentive of them. He is mindful of the other men with him, the civilians on the ground, and the property around the area. But he knows if something goes wrong, it’s up to his team to complete the mission, “Initial Success or Total Failure…  I fail; my brothers don't make it home.” That rides on every decision he makes. Before they get to the scene he says a prayer, “If I cannot defeat it with precision, may I be the one who functions it, so my team, the civilians who live here or the gunner in the next convoy or the dismounted operators can go home and hold their families.”

 

               They are arriving on site, it’s been 48 minutes, and the tech is prepared for what he must face. The unknown is down there, waiting, for him. But that’s not fear growing in his stomach; you’d almost call it… excitement. This is what he is here for, this is his drive, his purpose; he understands the risks, and he’s willing to make them. “Initial Success or Total Failure… I will do my best, regardless of the circumstances”. It doesn’t take the Tech long to realize that there is a problem; the device can’t be reached remotely, and someone has to go in. There is no question of who it will be, no straws are drawn, and no complaints are voiced. He will go as he has trained, prepared, and worked every single day to be ready for this; no force will stop him from completing his mission, not even death. He trusts his team and his security element; they are watching his back while he traverses the dangerous path to the unforeseen.  He talks with his team, they know what is about to happen, they trust in and respect their team leader’s abilities, but they standby for a high order detonation.  They understand the risks and they prepare for the worst. But to the Tech, his life lost is not the worst that could happen; it’s the life of another taken, when he could’ve prevented it. “Initial Success or Total Failure… total failure is not attempting to do everything in your humanly power to keep others from dying.” He will lay his life on the line to prevent that, and he will do it with bravery and honor.

 

               He suits up, what feels like a hundred pounds of a portable sweat-box, is his only defense against a high-order. He hopes it never happens, but he is always prepared for a high-order. “Initial Success or Total Failure… there are no second chances. Whether I make the last mistake I ever make, or am faced with just an unbeatable scenario, or my training prevails and I beat the device, I will succeed at all costs. And if I lay down my life, I know that my name will be place next to my brothers that have already paid dearly. Not as a failure, but as a hero.” And he begins the long walk down into the danger, as others run away from it.

 

               He’s on the device now, a million possibilities running through his head about it. He is not diverted; he is the epitome of focus and control. His hands and mind work deftly together; performing procedures faster and with more skill than most humans are capable of. He was trained by the best to be the best, and he is. He is an EOD Tech. He is executing a planned solution before others are aware that there is even a problem. He remembers all he was taught, as well as the advances and mistakes made by the Techs that went before him, and he employs it all. His eyes are constantly probing, yet never lose their focus. “Initial Success or Total Failure… I’ve only got one chance to get it right. There isn't another chance, you need to focus and be completely cognizant of the situation at all times.” Something is off. He doesn’t know what it is yet, but something here is wrong… He sees it, the trap that got his fellow Tech just days ago. “It’ll never beat us again; thank you, Sister.” He neutralizes the device and he grabs his tools, like his team, he never leaves them behind.

 

               He starts the walk back to his team. His mission is not yet over; he still has to get those boys home. “Initial Success or Total Failure… this is no time to be complacent. They will make it home to hug their families. Failure is not an option.” He is ever aware of his surroundings, he treads carefully and methodically, there is no room for error here. He makes it to the rig, meeting relief in the eyes of his team mates. They didn’t doubt for a second, but they are always prepared. They leave the scene and return to base. As they drive back, the Tech regales his team with his heroic tale of the day, while remaining vigilant of the possible danger lurking along their path. He does this because he is proud, yes, but also because his team needs to know. There was something there that almost beat him. Only his training, skills, and knowledge prevailed, without that he would surely have met failure. He would never allow them to be ignorant of the past accomplishments or mistakes of any Tech, especially his own.

 

               He looks to his team, he is strong, honorable, proud, and he will never be more honest with them, “Initial Success or Total Failure… you have but one chance to succeed, there are no do-overs, you won’t ‘re-spawn’ if you fail here. You can’t tell your friends you’re sorry and make it okay. You are responsible for every action you take, and every action that you don’t. This is why you train as hard as you do and why every test is so difficult. You may not get a second chance, so don’t ever forget why you are here, what you’re doing, and why you are doing it. Never forget what you are taught, especially by our fallen brothers; it could save your life and the lives of your team mates someday. Initial Success or Total Failure, enter every scenario in that mindset; treat every opportunity as though it’s your only one. Never lose focus, never give up to seemingly impossible odds, because someday you’ll have to bring your team home too. They’ll need you then, so prepare now.”

 

               He returns to his rack, his job done, his team is safe; sleep is welcome and deserved. As his head hits his pillow, he thanks the fallen once more for all they gave so he could keep his team safe. “Initial Success or Total Failure… I will always give my all for you.”