Knottie's Niche» News and Opinion

I’m Humbled To Be An American

Knottie — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 04:18:10 +0000

I often hear people speak about how proud they are to be an American. Well I’m humbled to be an American. I’m humbled to be a mother and wife. I am humbled to be able to write and have others read my words. Too often we get so caught up in our pride that we forget to appreciate what we have and be humbled by it.

Only in America does a woman such as myself have the freedom to chose to be a stay at home mom or have a career or both. Only in this amazing Nation do I have a voice that is equal to all others. When I put my pride down long enough to truly look at where I live I am HUMBLED. Humbled by the prosperity and liberty of this nation. Humbled that so many people of different mindset and beliefs can work side by side. Humbled that I can blog my thoughts and others feel they are worthy of reading.

I have been heard often saying I am a proud Army mom. But again when I put my pride aside I become humbled to be a part of such a honorable group. I am humbled that in return for my son’s service I was embraced by some of the most caring and honorable men and women in the world. I humbled that they call me one of their own. It rocks me to the core to realize that just by reaching out in my love for my son I was embraced. Truly humbling is that these men and women, who serve our Nation in the military, do not know me personally or you personally yet they put their lives on the line daily to protect our rights and freedoms. Stop and think about that.. be humbled that perfect strangers are willing to do this for you.

I am humbled to have been blessed with children who will have opportunities that other young people in the world will never have. They were give the chance to get an education that offered them the tools to grow and become who they are. Education is a tool that every single American is given and how you use that tool, what you put into determines what you will take from it. It is humbling that we are all given this precious tool. It is sad so many are so proud they forget to invest themselves in it.

I am humbled that jobs are available. Oh it may not pay as much as you want or you may not like your job but the work is there. It is humbling that we have the means to provide for ourselves. It is humbling to know that the harder I am willing to work the more benefits I will get.

I’m humbled to know that is my family becomes ill that I can seek out medical care for them. Yes there is the hassle of insurance paperwork and a bill will have to be paid but the care is there. Medication is a few blocks away. I don’t have sit by helpless watching those I love sick or suffering. It’s humbling to know that help is available. Even to those who will struggle to pay the bill for it.

I’m humbled to have a government that I have a voice in. I don’t like a lot of the things my government does but where else in the world can I speak out in dismay and not fear questioning my government. I can vote. I have a say. I may be out numbered by my fellow Americans in that vote but in the end I got my say. Not only that I can call my representatives and voice verbally to them how I feel about the job they are doing. It’s humbling to realize my representatives are a phone call or fax away.

Yes I am humbled to be an American. For when we allow pride to guide us we do not appreciate the true blessing of what we have. We forget to tend it, care for it and protect it… and then we begin to take it for granted. All our freedoms, all our liberties, all our blessings are lost to greed, envy and gluttony when we are not humbled by them. We become lazy in our vigilance of these blessings and fall to false values.

Today do not be a proud American .. be a humble one.

Gold Star Mothers And Families Day

Knottie — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 00:46:55 +0000

5 yrs ago yesterday I sat in the US Army recruiting office with my son. The Recruiter had his paperwork ready… a signature and he was on the path to joining the Army. “You are joining the US Army ina combat MOS. We are a nation at war. You will be deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan. You will see combat. Do you understand this?” “Yes Sir” and he was then allowed to sign. I was proud of him. He was 17 at that time so I and his father signed also. Some people think that if I could go back I wouldn’t sign now… but I would. It’s what he wanted. It was an honorable path to take in life. He invested his life coin in so much.

Today is Gold Star Mothers and Family day.
Each year on the 4th Sunday of September, the United States president is requested to issue a proclamation to: call on US government officials to display the nation’s flag on all government buildings; and to call on people to display the flag and hold appropriate meetings at homes, churches, or other suitable places on Gold Star Mother’s Day to publicly express the love, sorrow, and reverence those who are Gold Star mothers and their families.

This year Pres. Obama proclaimed this day Gold Star Mother’s and Family’s Day. While mothers are often centered out in remembering our Fallen the families are also grieving and have made the same sacrifices as the mother. All too often the fathers, siblings, grandparents and other extended family members are forgotten and left in the background. I hope that in the years to come the families will continued to be recognized in such a manner.

Many people have marked the day with kind words, luncheons and candle lightings. The Media is notably quiet but even that does not surprise me. What did surprise me is how few blogs who claim to support the military acknowledged this day. Only one of the dozen or so I visited. It truly brings home my son’s First Sgt’s words.

“I think a lot of people are willing to put a bumper sticker on their car that says ‘I support the troops’ but numbers show, less than two percent of Americans serve in the military. In the end, some gave all
and some bought a bumper sticker.” – Rick Skidis

Houston Memorial Cemetery~ Its not about YOU!

Knottie — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 17:58:28 +0000

If you have been reading the news you know there has been a bunch of people up in arms over the director of the Houston Memorial cemetery asking that religion not be invoked by volunteers at funeral services. Seems once again our Fallen are being used as political props.. this time by the Christian Right.. they seem to forget their religious rights end at the tip of their nose. I am sick of people taking over and making our fallen their cloak for gaining attention for themselves or their cause! Funerals are not for YOU.. they are for the FAMILY. By showing up and invoking your beliefs and words and taking over you are behaving no better than Westboro Baptist Church!

People seem to think that the director of the Cemetery banned all religious ceremony… that is not true.. he just told the “volunteers” and “groups” they could not show up and take over… the funerals themselves are whatever the families request. these groups however can’t show up and take over and make it about them or what they want!

It seems many people have forgotten that they not only do not own our fallen, the funerals for these men and women are not for them. The funerals are for the families. For these people to feel they can impose or invoke whatever beliefs they have on others during a time of grief is disrespectful. Not every Fallen soldier is Christian and some families do not want to deal with some good doer invoking their beliefs on them.

My son was an atheist.. the military was very careful to follow our wishes and not invoke religion. I would have been PISSED if some “volunteer” changed the funeral we planned for my son.. How dare these people try to take over these finally good byes and make them what THEY WANT and not what the families want!! The fact that they have pushed themselves into a postion that they had to be told to shut up and go away tells me they have NO RESPECT for the families and have repeatedly overstepped their bounds.

Its time for all these “groups” to step back and remember ITS NOT ABOUT THEM! Yes it is a good thing to show your respect and to honor our military but when you USE them to gain something, be it attention or a political point, you are not honoring them.

Words I Have Waited For “Usama Bin Laden Is Dead” Now Show Me The Pictures

Knottie — Thu, 05 May 2011 04:41:16 +0000

“Usama Bin Laden is dead”… like Most Americans I have waited years to hear those words. And as unpolitically correct as it is they were sweet words to my ears. Yes I was joyous when I heard them. Maybe more so that most. The month of May has always been a difficult month for me. It holds many reminds of my own son’s death in the war Usama brought to us. Mother’s day, His birthday, Memorial day… so to start this most difficult month off with the death of the man I know was the master mind of the attack that lead to my son’s decision to join the military and go and fight against an enemy that cult like followed this terrorist brought me joy and comfort.

My first motherly instinct was to “go all Mussolini” on the body. I wanted it laid out and gloated over. I would quickly learn that not only was the body disposed of it was given a properly burial at sea. Which is more than those bastards have done for the few of our men they have captured. My thoughts went to Thomas Tucker and Kristian Menchaca and the abuse of their bodies at the hands of Usama’s minions. But I was willing to settle for the pictures of Usama lifeless bullet ridden body.. and now I am, all the families of 9/11 and of those who have Fallen in this war, will also be robbed of even that satisfaction.

Pres. Obama fears a backlash if the pictures of this terrorist cult leader are shown (like they need an excuse because we know how kind and cheery they are daily.) but somehow did not fear backlash of so called “prisoner abuse” pictures ( some proven to be photoshopped) back in 2009 .. nor did he object to the AP publishing pictures of Joshua Bernard as he lay dying on the battle field even over the agonized pleas of Joshua’s family that they not be published. And let’s not forget Pres. Obama felt it was so very important to allow photographers at Dover AFB when our own Fallen come home.

I wonder if Pres. Obama comprehends the morale boost those photos would be to our hard worn troops serving. I wonder if he understands the symbolic and psychological affect it would have on the enemy it would have to see their untouchable “leader” dead. The only thing more powerful than a living cult terrorist leader is one who disappears with many unanswered questions. How many Muslims would lay down their guns and say we feared him but no longer? More than you would think actually. Yes there is an element in the Arab world that would be outraged and lash out.. a death rattle of a snake who’s head was cut off.

I’ve also noted the delay in reactions among the Arab world. It was as if they were holding their breath waiting for the proof to decide how to react. Would it be: He’s dead.. There is proof we can be done with his rein or No proof we better not risk it.

Pres. Obama owes me nothing personally.. but I feel he owes this nation more than a mere statement. We earned the right to gloat. And some families, more than others, have earned the right to frame the photos of Usama’s body and spit on it daily.

Running Away to Il Like Going to Afghanistan? Really?

Knottie — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 03:05:18 +0000

There have been many times over the past three years I have truly wondered if when that General handed me the folded flag from my son’s coffin and said “On Behalf of a grateful nation” if this nation is truly grateful. I wonder if the average American understands the sacrifices our troops make daily while deployed. If they understand the dangers they face every moment of every day. Do people understand the hardships our military families face? I wonder if our political leaders have even the first inkling of these things… then I see things like this video and I know this not a Grateful Nation.. oh yes some are grateful but not many. We are truly a military at war and a nation at the mall.

So here are my words for this man..

Going to Illinois and being AWOL ( Absent Without Leave) and staying in hotels and eating at restaurants in NOTHING like being deployed to Afghanistan. And here is why. In Illinois you had a comfortable bed and room service. You could go to any store at any time and buy anything you wanted. You can eat what you want when you want. You don’t have to worry about IEDs or suicide bombers. You could call your family or chat online with them anytime you missed them for as long as you want. And when you wanted to go home.. all you had to do was pack your bag and go.

In Afghanistan our troops are lucky if they get a cold shower once a week. They eat MREs for 3 meals a day. They get very limited time on the computer and even more limited time to make calls. And those calls and computer conversations are precious moments because the next moment may be that soldier or Marines’ last. They can’t go home when they miss their family. They are there for 6 to 18 months. When they run out of toothpaste, soap, toilet paper or a snack they are craving they have to depend on someone back home to care enough to send them more because there is no stores in the field.

None of those who ran away from the jobs they were elected for came home wounded or dead.. their families never had to fear that someone would knock on the door and say those ugly words “ We regret to inform you” . The worst they faced were protesters and possibly a late paycheck. Mister you dishonor our troops and the job this “grateful” nation has asked them to do and they willingly and voluntarily do. Politicians do not write a check to this nation up to and including their lives.. our troops do!

AND OUR TROOPS DO NOT RUNAWAY FROM A FIGHT LIKE YOU DID MR. CHEATHAM

I’m Humbled to be an American

Knottie — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 01:25:26 +0000

**I wrote this on my other blog just about one year ago… it still stands true and I felt it was a good time to share it again*

Yes I am humbled to be an American. For when we allow pride to guide us we do not appreciate the true blessing of what we have. We forget to tend it and care for and begin to take it for granted. All our freedoms, all our liberties, all our blessings are lost to greed, envy and gluttony when we are not humbled by them. We become lazy in our vigilance of these blessings and fall to false values.

Today do not be a proud American .. be a humble one.

Veteran’s Day.. A Civics Lesson

Knottie — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 02:33:27 +0000

In the United States we have 3 National holidays that celebrate our military. Unfortunately it seems most people either don’t know anything about them or they get them all mixed up and push them together. Ok so here is a civics lesson

Memorial Day is the last Monday in May every year. This is the day we remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice and gave their life for this nation in the face of an enemy. This is a day of mourning and remembrance. For far too many it’s the welcoming of summer, a long weekend and a chance to drink beer and bbq. But for many they do take a moment to remember and recognize the Fallen.

Armed Forces day is the 2^nd Saturday of May. This is the day we THANK those currently serving. It’s a chance to shake the hand of a man or woman in uniform and thank them for the job they doing.

Veterans Day is Nov 11^th every year. It’s a day to thank those who served and came home. It a day to embrace them and say we are glad you came home and job well done. As the mother of a fallen soldier I want this one day to be happy and celebrate my son’s brother who came home. To be happy that these men are here and to thank them and all those who have served and came home. This is not a sad day.. it’s a day of gratitude and celebration.

What people do not seem to understand, when they center us Gold Star Families out on Veterans day, is that they are taking a moment from those who served and came home and from us. A Moment that we want to celebrate others not mourn our own. Yes, we want our sons and daughters remembered but for this one day we want our Veterans celebrated and we want to sit quietly in the back ground and just take in the celebration of gratitude towards these men and women who wore the uniform, protected this nation and came home to carry on. Leave the mourning of our sons and daughters who are Fallen for Memorial day and the rest of the year.. but for today ..Veterans Day… honor them by focusing your full attention and gratitude to their brothers and sisters in arms who came home.

Thank you Veterans.. I am glad you are home..

Mass Manipulation or Why NOT to Burn Qurans

Knottie — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 02:15:00 +0000

Over the past few days there has been quite an uproar over the planned quran burning in Gainesville FL. Just as over the past few weeks there has been just as much uproar over the planned building of a mosque near ground zero. I’ve heard over and over again how everyone involved has the “right’ to do these things. And they do. But with rights come responsibilities. Just because you have the right to do something does not mean you should do it.

Last night I read something on facebook posted by Michael Yon. What he posted made a great deal of sense to me. Mostly because he had put into words what I have been thinking but could not quite articulate.

Probably most people on here would have little difficulty explaining to their children, or to a little brother or sister, the difference between facile appeasement and gratuitous provocation — until it comes to the Ground Zero mosque and the “Church” Quran burning. Then some otherwise thoughtful… people lose the path and wander into a killing field of their own making.

Most good parents likely try to inoculate their children against manipulation by pointing out to them the signs and pitfalls. Yet in the case of the provocateurs in New York City, and Gainesville, they are led like raging bulls, and they will snort and charge the red cape over and over, and the crowd will roar. A few will sell tickets, or beer, or bulls and capes, while others will learn the lessons of the matador to return with another red cape and a fresh bull. The dance is predictable. The possible outcomes are few.

Our people are hunting down the enemy even as we communicate here. Let’s make their jobs easier by being very, very quiet with words that spook the field.

I’m a mom so I often think of terms of parenting. For some people my thinking or analogies may be overly simplistic but I am who I am and have to use the terms I know best.

Watching the world today I am reminded of when my children we younger and would find that one thing that would set the other one off. That magic emotional button that they could push to get the best angered reaction from the other. They were daring the other to do something.. and then would be SHOCKED when they did. All involved got disciplined for these kinds of games though. They learned quickly that provoking a reaction got them a consequence both from the other sibling and from Mom. But as is human nature there was a lot of tit for tat going on as they grew up.

So we have the muslims building a mosque to tweak the nose to the US. And a “church” in Florida reacting but tweaking the muslims nose by publicly burning a quran. We have people all over the US screaming we should not appease, which I agree, but we also should not provoke. What most Americans do not understand when they react to Gen. Peteraus’ request to not burn the quran is that not all muslims in Afghanistan support the Taliban or similar organizations. In fact most just want to be left alone but everyone. BUT they like US citizens do not like having their faith insulted. By doing something so insulting to them as to burn their holy book you are taking those who would normally either be neutral or help our troops and pushing them into a role of enemy that they really don’t want to be in.

So to everyone involved who thinks they’re helping by demonstrating and burning Qurans…stop helping! Once again I am reminded of my children when they were very young and “helping” me bake a cake. In reality all they did was break eggs and make a huge mess. But unlike my toddler helping bake a cake, the mess made by those up in arms and “helping” are going to cost lives. Not just our military lives either. The provocations are escalating, emotions are on a low boil and not many are thinking clearly.

This is a battle. We have allowed the jihadist to make us react in an emotional irresponsible way. We have allowed ourselves to be provoked. And instead of responding in a manner that will fix the problem we are only making it worse. Stop and think for a moment be honest with yourself, when you go into a situation in an overly emotional state nothing good comes out of it. You can’t fight or think well if you let emotions take over.

Let’s face it one of the best tactics in winning a fight is to make the other person become overly emotional and lose their temper. Whether that fight be a debate of words or physical. We have allowed our emotions to take over. We’ve taken the provocation bait and that puts us in the weaker position. Do you feel manipulated yet?

I am not saying “why can’t we all just get along”. I am saying.. stop taking the bait and playing into the hands of those who want you to react emotionally. It weakens us.. Cooler heads should and will prevail. And if you chose to keep on with the “get a reaction, lets show them” mentality.. do NOT be shocked when you get the reaction your provoking will bring.

RIP Lt John Finn…

Knottie — Fri, 28 May 2010 00:10:21 +0000

A little over a year ago I met some very amazing men. The all had received the Medal Of Honor and wore it with pride for all those who served with them. None of them claimed it as their own. I was told before going to this gathering I had to take Guinness and drink one with Lt John Finn. And so I did.

On Dec 7^th 1941 many Heroes were made. John Finn is one of those men who received the Medal of Honor for his bravery on that day. He said he didn’t deserve it and simply held it for all the others who fought and died that December day. I disagree. On that Dec. Morning John held his position firing on the enemy for over two hours even though he himself had been hit 21 times. Several of his wounds serious. Once the skies were quiet he sought medical help after being ordered to and then returned to help rearm the remaining airplanes at Kanoehe Bay. Because Kanoehe was hit 5 minutes before Pearl Harbor many believe that John Finn is the first one to earn the Medal of Honor during WW2. But when you sit and listened to his stories he told you of his men not of himself. Even at 99 years old his mind was sharp and he loved to share his stories with those who would listen.

Today we lost his hero.. He was 100, nearly 101. I knew he had been ill. My heart breaks that we lost this hero. Words he spoke to me changed my life. I will never forget him overhearing a conversation I was having stopping his conversation and pointing at me saying “I like you”. Very seldom have words made me so proud as being told I was liked by John Finn. After that he and I sat for nearly 2 hours and just talked. I listened to his stories about his wife and his men and he listened to mine about my son and his brothers.

I’m sad I will never get to sit with Mr. Finn again but in a odd way I am happy for him. He has peace now. He is with his beloved wife Alice. And I have to believe he got one hell of a welcome to Heaven. I can see them lining up to have a Guinness with Mr. Finn. I had the honor and now I need to believe it is my son’s turn.

Thank you John.. for your service and for being so kind to me. Thank you for defining my mission. I was honored to know you sir.

Enjoy Your Vacation Mr. President

Knottie — Wed, 26 May 2010 01:29:53 +0000

Memorial Day is next Monday. It is a day to remember and honor those who have given the ultimate sacrifice in service of this nation. It is tradition that a wreath is laid at the memorial in Arlington each year .

I started quite the rant earlier this evening about how Pres. Obama is not going to be laying the wreath at Arlington on Memorial Day so he can go to Chicago and have a vacation.

I was infuriated when I read Pres. Obama was going to a family get together rather than Honor our Fallen as Commander and Chief. My first thought was “unforgivable”. Now I know he will not be the first President to not attend the wreath laying. But others had reasons that were not “vacations”. Then I thought about Pres. Obama’s treatment of our troops and it occurred to me that if he does lay the wreath it will be play acting as he has no gratitude for those who it is laid in Honor of. It would be fake and I don’t want that wreath laid for my son and his brothers and sisters by someone who so obviously despises everything my son stood for and died for.

Pres. Obama’s loathing of our troops has been evident from the very beginning of his presidency when he was the First President to skip the Inauguration night ball Honoring Medal of Honor Recipients in over 50 years. Then there was his punishment of Gen. Stanly McChyrstal for publicly outing the fact he had ignored our Military commanders request for more troops in Afghanistan by making them wait months for an answer which was simple. That cost more lives than we probably know. Then there is the treasonous Rules of Engagement imposed on our troops.

It would be the greats Honor of my life to lay that wreath. I would be humbled to simply attend the service. But you see I love those men. I may not know their names but I know them. They are my son’s brothers and they stood and died for the same Love of Nation he did.

Enjoy your vacation Mr. President. Someday I hope you realize you are free to do so because of the men you refuse to honor.In the meantime I am glad someone with an ounce of respect for our troops is laying the Wreath at Arlington this Memorial Day.

THANK YOU to those who lay in peace now.. Thank you so very much my dear sons and daughters