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Happy Veterans Day: I'm no hero

veteran

 

I am a veteran.

I didn’t fight in any war when I joined the Navy in 1974 but because our nation’s involvement officially ended after the events surrounding the fall of South Vietnam in 1975 I am called a “Vietnam Era Veteran.”

That doesn’t mean a lot, especially to those who actually fought and endured the unimaginable in Vietnam. But we couldn’t stop having a Navy after Vietnam and somebody had to steer those ships and swab those decks and, in my case, push and type those papers. Someone had to do it during a time when being in the military wasn’t the coolest thing a young person could do.

Although my parents had a Navy sticker on their pickup — I was the third son to join the Navy — you didn’t see ribbons on cars with the names of their soldier boys who were serving listed on it. You didn’t see every sunshine patriot and vote-needy politician calling those of us  who served “heroes.”

 It wasn’t the best of times to be in the service. And it wasn’t the worst, by a long shot. It was, after all, the 1970s.

 You can bet your ass that I bitched and moaned throughout my tour of duty. It’s what service members do. There were petty, little regulations that seemed absolutely stupid. You could often find yourself following your orders from a tyrant, but unlike in the civilian world you couldn’t talk back or couldn’t quit because you could end up end trouble. The worst case scenario would be the brig, or jail. Those Marine guards in the brigs didn’t exactly play nice, at least that’s what I heard. Remarkably, I never — officially — got in trouble and wound up with an Honorable Discharge and a Navy Good Conduct Medal. The last I figure was quite an achievement considering all the hell-raising I did both on and off duty.

 So I am no hero. I was just a kid out of high school who needed a job, wanted badly to attend college but couldn’t afford it, the Navy needed someone who did their job and did it very well. After finishing my job, the government paid me a nice little stipend under the GI Bill that made it most helpful to become a college graduate. And the rest is history.

 That’s my veteran story. It isn’t a heroic tale but it’s my own and I’m sticking to it.

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Still early in the Ft. Hood shooting saga

 Work took me out in the boonies today. I have to say I like it because it is kind of unusual in this part-time job. It’s good to get out on a nice fall day and get paid to ride the country roads of the Big Thicket — America’s biological crossroads.

 A few thoughts regarding the Fort Hood shooting aftermath crossed my mind today after reading and hearing snippets of the Islam (and anyone else who aren’t white and conservative) haters on the radio. I won’t mention the names of any shows but they start with Beck and Limbaugh.

 First, I heard people calling the shooting an act of terrorism. They have all of these snippets of information from semi-official sources and even one of the eyewitnesses who claimed he heard the jihadist battle cry “Allahu Akbar“ phrase for “God is the Greatest.” Of course, one of the soldiers who said he heard the phrase shouted before the shooting began is now unsure that’s what the shooter said at all.

 I really don’t know what these right-wingers want. Expel from the military or the country anyone who is a Muslim? Why stop there? Surely lapsed Catholics are undesirables for the Limbaughs and Becks of the world. How about Episcopals who allow gay priests or bishops? Holy moley!

 Here is another thought. It is probably not being thought about by most of the population but I bet a lot of, especially senior, military officers are thinking about this. What will be the career  fate of Lt. Gen. Robert Cone, the commander of III Armored Corps and Fort Hood?

 When things go screwy in any officer’s command, especially one the size of Fort Hood, his or her career usually is left in shambles whether or not the mess up is their fault. I have heard of less senior officers and even senior enlisted men whose careers ended or were stuck on high center just because of something their kids had done. It’s all part of military justice. You know, that is to justice as military music is to music. Of course, I don’t agree with the music part.

 Likewise, I wonder about some facts of military justice provided Maj. Hasan goes to trial once he has healed enough to be arrested and charged for the alleged acts he committed.

 He already has a civilian attorney who specializes in military law. A former military judge named John Galligan. He already seems to be questioning venue. Normally, such a trial as Hasan might have would be a military court martial that is held at his command, which would be under the auspices of the accused’s commanders. The trial could also be held in federal court as often happens with civilians who commit crimes on a military reservation.

 Finally, the 800-pound gorilla in the room that’s helpless from a headlock applied by a 1-ton elephant, that being insanity.

 I honestly don’t know what all is involved in proving insanity in military courts. You don’t hear of it that often. That might tell you something. Of course, you don’t hear of military court martials that often unless it is of someone like the alleged “ring-leader” of Abu Ghraib, Pvt. Charles Graner, whose court martial was held in 2005 at Fort Hood. However, even though you don’t hear of court martials be assured they happen as regularly as military time.

 I read something about the standards for an insanity defense having changed in military courts since I left the service in the late 1970s. I’ll have to bone up and see if I can find something in the Manual for Courts-Martial. You just know that — even with evidence that might link Hasan with terrorists — that insanity is going to come up, provided he goes to trial. I say “provided” because no one knows what will happen once, or even if, Hasan survives his gunshots, and is arrested and charged in the military system. The other option is some damning evidence comes out about direct ties to the “Tangos” or terrorist, then the whole legal question becomes considerably more complicated.

 The case is still under investigation. The suspect is still critically wounded. The memorial service for the victims was today. It’s early in the Fort Hood shooting saga. Let’s try not to get ahead of ourselves. I will try to do the same, although I admit it isn’t easy.

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Free meals for vets; Pick your fave Texans goat.

 Some national corporation are thanking veterans this year by putting their money where the veterans’ mouths are.

 But showing appreciation for those who are serving or who have served this year will not be limited to free dinners from Golden Corral on Monday,  November 16, and Applebee’s on Wednesday evening (Veterans Day).

 Lowe’s is offering a 10 percent discount on in-store merchandise up to purchases of $5,000 from Nov. 6 through Veterans Day. This is according to media reports I have seen. I saw nothing on their Web site about it. I would call first and ask if interested. Home Depot is likewise offering a 10 percent discount through Veterans Day. Check the Web site article for lists of limitations.

 I am unsure how long any of these corporations have shown their appreciation for veterans other than Golden Corral. The buffet and grill restaurant has held the Veterans feast for the past eight years. Their Web site notes they have served more than 2.1 million meals to active duty military and veterans during these occasions.

 Applebee’s requires some kind of proof of service such as a picture of the veteran in uniform, military or retired military ID card, DD-214 or veterans organization card. Their list doesn’t include a VA patient ID card, so I wouldn’t count on that getting you a free dinner. Applebee’s is also offering a limited number of items on their menu for the gratis meal — six to be exact — but they all look pretty good.

 Golden Corral does not require proof of ID. I still would take some though. You never know if your waiter understands the rules and having your papers in order might avoid having to get a manager and making a scene. I have been only once for Golden Corral’s meal, a couple of years ago, and I wasn’t asked for an ID.

 A number of other restaurants and businesses are giving free or discounted meals or merchandise across the country including, or did so over the weekend. Some of these also honor those uniformed folks serving in public safety such as police, fire and EMS. You just need to check around and see, I suppose, because I don’t have a full list. I wish I did.

WHAT A DISAPPOINTMENT

  Disappointing would be an appropriate word to describe yesterday’s Houston-Indianapolis game.

  The Texans came in with a respectable 5-3 record for the first time in their history against the undefeated Colts. Still, there was no way the Texans could beat Indianapolis, right? Well, even though they weren’t throwing hand grenades or playing horseshoes, they almost pulled off an upset. Even more, the Texans should have won this one.

  A big examination was taking place on Beaumont-Houston’s ESPN Radio, the Ticket, this afternoon, as to the blame for the Texans 20-17 loss to the Colts. It was a controversial fumble at the Colt’s one-yard line by Houston running back Ryan Moats, said some. It was flat out turnovers and stupid penalties, said others. It was kicker Kris Brown, still others said while you could almost see heads nodding through the many radio receivers throughout the Houston-Beaumont area.

 Brown could easily be seen as the goat that ate the chance to knock off the Big Dog Colts. The Colts saw their lead cut to a narrow margin at the end of the first half when the Texans’ kicker perfectly nailed a 56-yard field goal. Brown, coming into the game, had a perfect extra point record and he left with that intact at 25-for-25 upon leaving Indy. He wasn’t exactly Mr. Automatic with 9-for-13 coming into the game but neither was he Mr. Aromatic. That path to Mr. Smelly quickly changed in the estimation of some Texans fans when Brown had a chance to send the game into overtime. 

 But just as plane crashes hardly ever have one cause, neither do lost football games. Somehow the clock quickly ticked off until it was stopped at one second — amazing in itself that Houston didn’t lose because of poor time management. Brown seemed like a sure shot for a 42-yarder to tie after kicking one a very respectable 56 yards. However, the ball went up and up and just freaking missed the goal with a veer to the left.

  Well, Coach Dan Kubiak thought his team did okay considering they were playing Peyton Manning’s Colts. I have to say I feel the same way although, as I mentioned before, I am very disappointed.

 As for one goat. It wasn’t Kris Brown. It wasn’t one play. It wasn’t the refs. It wasn’t Moats’ fumble. It was all of those wrapped up with penalties that were just dumb, though as I have noted  here before I sure as hell couldn’t have done better.

 The Texans now are neither down nor are they out. They have to play the Colts again at the end of this month and beat them. They have to beat the Titans again the week after next week’s bye. That theoretically should be easy against a now 2-6 team that only picked up its second win just yesterday by beating the equally lackluster 49ers. But theories are like a**holes, everybody’s got one and every once in awhile something goes wrong with them. Then you got your Rams, Seahawks, Jaguars and Dolphins in no particular order followed at the end by the Patriots. The Patriots. Yes.  Uh-huh.

 So the Texans can still make the playoffs. Hell, they could go to the Super Bowl. I mean anything can happen and does happen in football, just look at Terrell Owens or John “Sandy Baby” Riggins — remember the latter’s drunken encounter with Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor? Perhaps those aren’t the best examples.

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Two days of mayhem. What a way to end the week.

 Another day, another mass shooting. This time in an Orlando, Fla., office complex.

 One has to expect mass shootings and mass murders will not end just because of instances such as the massacre Thursday at Fort Hood. But one would could have hoped for a little respite in between.

 Army Maj. Nidal Malik, M.D., a psychiatrist, allegedly walked into a personnel transitioning center yesterday on the massive Texas post and shot more than 40 people. The carnage ended in 13 dead and 30 wounded. Malik was reportedly shot four times by a civilian Fort Hood policewoman.

Maj. Nidal Hassan M.D. in a coma and full of questions that need answers.
Maj. Nidal Hassan M.D. in a coma and full of questions that need answers.

 Tons of questions remain a day later:

 Was Malik — who was born and raised in the U.S. — a mainstream Muslim turned jihadist or just another lone nut with a gun (or guns)? Media reports indicate some acquaintances and relatives described Malik as a dedicated soldier doing his duty. Other reports noted he was furiously trying to avoid his impending assignment to a war zone and had spoke out against the ongoing wars.

 Was Malik a lone gunman? Initial accounts reported he created all the carnage using two handguns. Articles today say that he apparently did all the shooting with one gun although he had another pistol in his possession that was not used. That sounds highly unlikely due to the sheer numbers killed and wounded, not to mention having a lot of ammo clips to eject and replace.

 How was Malik able to get the guns to the scene of the shooting? Were they his guns? Were they military weapons? It has been awhile since I last visited Fort Hood but normally soldiers stationed there, especially officers could drive on through. Visitors’ autos were manually searched inside, under the hood, in the trunk and with mirrors underneath the vehicle.

 A short note about the guns. The AP reported the weapon involved was a 5.7-mm semi-automatic pistol. I am not at all familiar with guns of the caliber, although my lack of knowledge isn’t particularly relevant. A Wikipedia article I found talks about one such gun of the caliber. A reminder to take Wikipedia articles with a grain of Wikipedium. Nonetheless, this particular pistol in the article is a Belgium-made FN Five-Seven.  It is reportedly a weapons used by some SWAT teams. It supposedly has the capability for clips with 10 and 20 shells. Ammunition developed alongside the gun allegedly is capable of penetrating Kevlar body armor.

 Why did the Army at Fort Hood initially tell the media that Malik was killed and took more than an hour to correct that piece of critical information?

 Finally, what was Malik’s motive? Will he wake up from his coma and give answers?

 Another press conference at Fort Hood took place a short while ago and I hoped more real information on all or some of the questions would be forthcoming. It turned out to be mostly ceremonial with a moment of silence worldwide on U.S. military bases ordered by Defense Sec. Robert Gates. The news conference featured Army Sec. John McHugh and Army Chief of Staff George Casey. Sad to say, no earth shattering information came from that although I suppose it’s comforting for the top brass to come to the scene of something that is the magnitude of this shooting. The Commander-in-Chief, President Barack Obama also is scheduled to go to Fort Hood. Of course, America’s right-wing, paranoid, nutdom class already is claiming ties between the suspected shooter and Obama. I wish these people would have a little class, a little common sense and think about those who suffered from this ordeal. And, I wish these people would go out and promptly f**k themselves.

Other questions will probably require some time. How much? That’s one more question.

 The best news coverage I have found of the massacre comes from the nearby papers. The Killeen Daily Herald has an extreme amount of the personal look at what happened as does the Austin American-Statesman. Having worked that area for almost 10 years, I am very familiar with both newspapers. The Herald has, shall I say, certain institutional limitations. The Statesman has been a good paper when its not too full of itself.

 Some official statements can be found at Fort Hood’s Web site. Once names of the victims are released they can be found there and on the official Defense department Web site, plus on the newspapers or other sites that choose to list them.

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Army shrink still alive after allegedly shooting more than 40 at Ft. Hood

UPDATE2: In another press conference about 8:30 p.m. Central, Fort Hood and the Army’s III Corps commander told reporters that the suspect in the shooting at the World’s largest military base on Thursday afternoon is not dead despite being shot multiple times by a female civilian police officer. Lt. Gen. Robert Cone said the suspect, Army psychiatrist Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, was in “stable condition” and that  his death was not imminent despite being shot multiple times. Hasan is reportedly a U.S. citizen of Jordanian heritage who received his undergraduate degree at Virginia Tech. Cone said evidence does not rule out terrorism, but there is no evidence to suggest the shootings were terrorist-related. This is really going to help out the military’s mental health program at a time when suicides in the service are at an almost epidemic level. Prozac anyone?

UPDATE: Lt. Gen. Robert Cone, commanding general of the III Army Corps and Fort Hood, said at a short press conference that at least 12 people have been killed and 31 wounded in the shooting. Both those shot and the suspects are soldiers, Cone said.

As the hed said, media reports indicate perhaps nine people are dead and more than two dozen have been wounded in a shooting involving at least two suspects at Fort Hood, Texas. The massive military post lies about halfway between Waco and Austin, right smack dab in the heart of Texas.

So this means what to me? Well, Ft. Hood was part of my beat back in my days of employment as a newspaper reporter. I visited the post many, many times to cover not only military events but for events involving our most recent ex-president. I am watching CNN coverage. Once again, I think for all their shortfalls, CNN is still the best at breaking news.

I have little to add to the current news coverage except that I noticed during my time hanging around the Fort Hood area, an undercurrent or, vibe, if you will. One might say that’s to be expected since it is a Army base, the “free world’s largest,” as post officials liked to point out during my time covering the military.

But actually, I’ve been on other military posts including Army posts and didn’t get this same vibe.

Since the beginning of the so-called “War of Terror” there have been at Fort Hood as at other Army posts a number of suicides reported. Killeen, the city outside the post, seemed at the time I reported on the military at Fort Hood to have an extraordinary amount of violent crime. Even before the Afghan and Iraq wars there was the horror of the mass shooting at the Killeen Luby’s cafeteria in which 23 people were murdered after George Hennard drove his truck into the restaurant.

One suspect has reportedly been captured and another “cornered” in the Fort Hood incident. The big question is — since at least two people were involved — the motive. Are these guys just nuts or are they some  kind of jihadists? It will be interesting to learn more. My thoughts go out to those whose family members or friends were involved.