BATFE Oversight Hearing

Mike over and Sipsey Street and David at WOG have covered the lead up and hearings themselves brilliantly. One item that was missed in coverage was the Terry families opening statement. In it was a reading of a poem Brian Terry wrote to describe himself and his mindset.

“If Today Is to Be the Day…So Be It”.

If you seek to do battle with me this day, you will receive the best that I am capable of giving.
It may not be enough, but it will be everything that I have to give and it will be impressive for I have constantly prepared myself for this day.
I have trained, drilled and rehearsed my actions so that I might have the best chance of defeating you.
I have kept myself in peak physical condition, schooled myself in the martial skills and have become proficient in the applications of combat tactics.
You may defeat me, but I’m willing to die if necessary. I do not fear death for I have been close enough to it on enough occasions that it no longer concerns me.
But, I do fear the loss of my honor and would rather die fighting than to have it said that I was without courage.
So I will fight you, no matter how insurmountable it may seem, to the death if need be, in order that it may never be said of me that I was not a warrior.

I read as much as most and more than many, rarely has the written word affected me so much. As the statement was read I was not so much angry, or even sad, but yet I cried. I tear now again writing this. This man, is America and everything that makes us a nation exceptional. I am sorry I never got to know him, I know I will never forget him.

Are You Honest?

"As a warning, the following post was written in complete desperation. I have recently learned some very sobering truths from people that I love dearly. These truths have set in motion a quest within me to do whatever I can to make a change. Today is not geared at funny. Today is geared at something greater. Read it to the very end. I promise you will be affected in a way you have always needed to be. I spent more than twelve hours writing this post because its message is that important to me.
......
"Perfection" is a wife...
"Perfection" is a husband...
"Perfection" is a couple... (a boy, a girl etc...)

Be real.

Be bold about your weaknesses and you will change people's lives. Be honest about who you actually are, and others will begin to be their actual selves around you."


The excerpts above, coupled with losing a very good friend, fearing the loss of my wife under a surgeons knife etc have changed my life. Normally I try to stay on topic, and to a bit this is. Everyday I try to be a better man, for my wife, my children and myself. Most days I fail in one sense or another, I am slowly coming to terms with that. THIS helps, and you should read it, ALL OF IT. Read the comments, comment yourself and read the follow up HERE
I am a broken man, I have been unkind to my wife and unfair to my children. I have done this in "their" name. Believing the ends justify the means. I live with this knowing I am learning, making corrections and becoming the man I need to be. Pass the original post far and wide, look in the mirror. If you do not fix yourself, you can fix nothing.

Have fun, stay safe...
Jason

Honor, Duty, Sacrifice

Today I was watching Blackhawk Down, and thought it would be a good time to explain a little bit about Honor, and Team to my son. As I began to explain the actions of Randy Shughart & Gary Gordon, I found myself choked up to the point of being rendered "speechless."

From time to time if I need a reminder of true sacrifice, or a model of honor I review the stories of the 3,467 recipients. I encourage you to read some of them here. We all need heroes, and inspiration, these are some of mine.

acta non verba, (Ironically in a Blog)
Jason
III

Honor

When someone said, "Leonidas, are you here to take such a hazardous risk with so few men against so many?" he said, "If you men think that I rely on numbers, then all Greece is not sufficient, for it is but a small fraction of their numbers; but if on men's valour, then this number will do." Apophthegmata Laconica by Plutarch

Lycurgus established harmony, simplicity, and strength in Sparta. This warrior society tamed its youth through systematic education aimed at developing leadership, courage, public spirit, and wisdom. LYKURGUS by Plutarch

The Seven Virtues of the Bushido apply to handle every action of every day, follow them and you will live a good life.

• The right decision, fair and equal
• Valour & Courage
• Benevolence, Compassion & Generosity
• The Proper Behaviour, Courtesy & Respect
• Honesty, Honourable & Moral
• Success, Honour and Glory
• Devotion and Loyalty

The legend of Arthur's Knights of the Round Table had a similar code

• To never do outrage nor murder
• Always to flee treason
• To by no means be cruel but to give mercy unto him who asks for mercy
• To always do ladies, gentlewomen and widows succor
• To never force ladies, gentlewomen or widows
• Not to take up battles in wrongful quarrels for love or worldly goods

Politics, policy, laws and religion have no hold without honor. Honor is the one gift you can give yourself that makes a difference in the world you occupy. If I have one wish for my life it is that those who know me at the time of my passing can say I lived a life of honor, and that it sums up my achievement of the above examples. Many people today speak of honor, sacrifice and liberty as more of a cliche than a way of life. I was speaking with the Reverend the other day and he made a phenomenal point "I believe in principles, not borders." Short, to the point, and exactly what I needed to hear at that time. For too many years I have fought with the parallels and contrasts of my core beliefs and their lineage with my nationalism. I believe in America with every cell in my body, I also believe that the America I love has been raped by politicians and a complacent lazy citizenry. If knowledge is power than what are ideals? What small amount of power I possess, is in the knowledge of honor. I pass it on to my sons, with hopes that they will understand why, I post it here with hopes that those who read it will truly understand, every breath of everyday their actions change the course of life. If we live and lead with honor it can become "the way."

A man argued that Sparta should set up a democracy, this was Lykurgus reply: "Begin with your own family."

Jason

III