posted 11-16-09

posted 11-16-09

a note from pirate the irate

Headlines like this: Marking the Velvet Revolution in Bratislava’s Squares, always leave me wondering why in our country the contributions of Cold War Veterans go unrecognized during this month. It was brought to my attention by a young Slovakian poet that this month of this year marks some very important anniversaries of the Cold War. If any other Cold War Veterans have been wondering about the meaning of their service or exactly what their service accomplished during the so-called years of peace in which we deployed, bled and sweated until the Iron Curtain fell, consider this. A 29-year old poet in Slovakia can write to me via the Internet. 40 years ago, I wouldn’t have known his country existed. 30 years ago, he would have been considered a spy and executed for exercising Freedom of Speech. 20 years ago, his country was set free. My country, the country I love and have served my entire adult life, has enjoyed many successes and felt many sorrows. For me, the most remarkable achievement of my country is inventing, promoting and ensuring Freedom of Speech, not only in America but around the globe.

COLD WAR VETERANS, YOU MAKE ME PROUD!

THE COLD WAR MUSEUM

THE WOUND
essay by gene tinelli, md
“Healing is natural process of a healthy body and encompasses two general principles. Time heals clean wounds and wounds heal from the inside out. These processes are the same whether our injuries are physical wounds to our skin or wounds to our souls.”

A CHANCE ENCOUNTER
memoir by harry “mustang” parmer
“I reckon there’s some truth in the poem that says, ‘In times of war, God and soldiers are adored, and when war is over and all is righted, God is forgotten, the soldiers slighted.’”

TRANSITIONS
essay by bryan luther
“Moving from a military lifestyle to a civilian can be very complicated but does not have to be....”

REMEMBERING THE BRAVE.ORG

MILQUEST
10 QUESTIONS - TWO HOURS
TOM SHEEHAN
ACCEPTS THE CHALLENGE

THE BENCH
fiction by dick reynolds
“I became covered with broken pieces of wood, chunks of concrete and plaster, shards of glass and broken personal items that belonged to the family. Later in the day, men with burlap sacks came and looted the house of everything that was not damaged.”

VETERANS-FOR-CHANGE
A NEW WEBSITE

we found it on the web, or you sent it to us
readers, we want to know, is it...
FACT OR FICTION?
SECURITY FORCES SNIPER
send the scoop to kudosorkrap@milspeak.org

PLUS
ROCK APES ON PATROL

MILSPEAK ANTHOLOGY AT THE GYPSY ART SHOW

“If the words honor, nobility, self-sacrifice, and altruism mean anything to you, this is the book to buy.”
--Stephen Page--
BA Insider: Capital Living in Buenos Aires

“Perhaps I expected a rasp, salty language, an edge of bitterness. Instead, Sally spoke softly about the healing power of writing and about MilSpeak Foundation, which she initiated to extend that potential for healing to
military members, veterans and families.”
--Terri Barnes--
SPOUSE CALLS/STARS & STRIPES

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SEND LETTERS & COMMENTS TO: KUDOSORKRAP@MILSPEAK.ORG

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©2009 MILSPEAK FOUNDATION
OOHRAH! PRODUCTIONS

MILSPEAK MEMO

NOW INCLUDED IN POETS & WRITERS MAGAZINE’S LITERARY MAGAZINE LIST!

END OF POST
V5.11-16-09
NEXT POST V5.12.14.09
“HOLIDAY POST”
YEP, THAT’S RIGHT -
THE BOSS SAID IT’S TIME FOR PIRATE TO TAKE LEAVE.
STAY SAFE!
AND DON’T FORGET -
YOU MAKE ME PROUD!