Memorial Day

It's hard to believe the sacrifices some have made.

From a list of Medal of Honor recipients:

*SMITH, PAUL R.

Rank and Organization: Sergeant First Class, United States Army
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty:Sergeant First Class Paul R. Smith distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action with an armed enemy near Baghdad International Airport, Baghdad, Iraq on 4 April 2003. On that day, Sergeant First Class Smith was engaged in the construction of a prisoner of war holding area when his Task Force was violently attacked by a company-sized enemy force. Realizing the vulnerability of over 100 fellow soldiers, Sergeant First Class Smith quickly organized a hasty defense consisting of two platoons of soldiers, one Bradley Fighting Vehicle and three armored personnel carriers. As the fight developed, Sergeant First Class Smith braved hostile enemy fire to personally engage the enemy with hand grenades and anti-tank weapons, and organized the evacuation of three wounded soldiers from an armored personnel carrier struck by a rocket propelled grenade and a 60mm mortar round. Fearing the enemy would overrun their defenses, Sergeant First Class Smith moved under withering enemy fire to man a .50 caliber machine gun mounted on a damaged armored personnel carrier. In total disregard for his own life, he maintained his exposed position in order to engage the attacking enemy force. During this action, he was mortally wounded. His courageous actions helped defeat the enemy attack, and resulted in as many as 50 enemy soldiers killed, while allowing the safe withdrawal of numerous wounded soldiers. Sergeant First Class Smith’s extraordinary heroism and uncommon valor are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the Third Infantry Division “Rock of the Marne,” and the United States Army.

Thank you, veterans.

Movie night

Saw Terminator Salvation last night. Pretty cool movie.

I really liked the original Terminator movie -- mostly just because the backstory of the movie is so very TEOTWAWKI. T-2 was pretty stupid (though the special effects were groundbreaking for the time) and T-3 was just OK.

I rarely go to a theater to see a movie. The sound and big screen was really fun.

Neat song....

Guster - Barrel of a Gun

Back atcha

I'm watching Obama's speech at Notre Dame's commencement exercises. As I type this, the third (at least) protester is being hauled off.

I'm lovin' it. I like seeing Code Pink's tactics used by pork-eating crusaders. The left has used these tactics to shape debate for far too long with no corresponding effort by the right. Protesters make news, and I'm glad the right has finally caught on. Between the tea parties and the Notre Dame protests, hopefully the tides are turning.

Ironically, a baby can be heard crying somewhere in the crowd while he's speaking...

Yeah, Montana, yeah!

Behold, the Montana Firearms Freedom Act.

That's what liberty looks like.

It's like Montana says, "I've got your interstate commerce right here..."

Guilty Pleasures

I like Paramore. I don't care what you think about it.

The frontman ... er, frontwoman ... girl ... whatever.... looks like she's about 4-foot-nuthin' and maybe 80 lbs. soaking wet, but wow, she's got some pipes...

Paramore's Videos

I really like "That's What You Get" and "Pressure" in particular.

Number 3

I graduate from the LPN-to-RN program on Friday.

I almost can't believe it. I've been in school for over 2 years to get this done. I can't remember what it's like to just have a job ...

Additionally, this is the third time I've graduated from college. I don't have an "advanced" degree - nothing above a BA. How sad is that?

At any rate, I'm glad to have it over with. I don't truly feel "done" though, since I'm taking an NCLEX review course which will involve 5 more "class" sessions.

By some time in June, though (hopefully) it'll be history.