MSG Colt sent this in.

Who's fault is it anyways

Coming home from the land of sand with money in the pocket and wanting to get a bike and ride to clear the head. Some opt for the cruiser to ride and take things in while clearing their heads of thoughts best left behind in the desert. Others have the need for speed and go for a sport bike to get away. Either way as long as done safely with the proper safety gear and obeying the laws can be a great escape and a sort of therapy.

This being said and in light of the many fatalities in the Department of Defense over the last few months; one being a local Sgt, I think we need some time to step back and refocus. Every time something like this happens there is finger pointing, the he said she said thing and of course the shoulda, coulda, woulda. Being reactive instead of proactive, no one sees the problem until they are faced with it and at the cost of human life.

The speculations and investigations as to what happened is all you hear, but what we really need to do is focus on how we can prevent this from happening again. As riders we are taught in the motor cycle safety course about be observant, to watch ahead of us and always look for a way out. The S.E.E. technique of Search, Evaluate and Execute tells to remain vigilant evaluate our environment and execute our route of travel. The problem is that all around us are conditions in the environment that are beyond our control, animals, debris, but the most important factor is the human factor driving the cars, trucks and other larger vehicles.

In four wheeled vehicles the drivers have the security of safety features built into their vehicles, but they also have added distracters like, children in the car, pets, texting or talking on their cell phones, blind spots, stereos cranked those are just few that come to mind. The inherent size of a motorcycle can be misleading to drivers therefore make them think the bike is further away then it really is and/or going slower then it really is.

Education be it the MSF courses or other training opportunities do a lot to help the rider become a better rider but it does nothing to educate the public that we are out there on roads.

Remaining vigilant while riding or driving is crucial, we will work on getting a motorcycle awareness program going to alert drivers that we are out there. I listened to someone at a store the other day talk about the fatality we had and how dangerous motorcycles were, you know me I just had to put my two cents in. The first thing I asked was if she had ever been on a motorcycle, nope. I asked how long she had been driving, about three years. Ever been in an accident? yep  but it was the other persons fault. I then asked if she had a cell phone and if she uses it when she drives or even sends text messages while driving? Reluctantly she said sometimes but "I am very careful" she said.

I told her that I ride and I am very careful when I ride, no cell phone or other distractions. So I asked her so are motorcycles dangerous or is the road dangerous and those that are too busy using their cells, changing radio stations, eating or an of the many things people do while driving the danger.

I got my change and walked out.

We are the sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, mothers and father and even grandparents, but even more important we are citizens that have offered to lay down our lives in the defense of our country. We should not be treated like second class citizens because we choose a motorcycle as a means of transportation, traffic laws are made to be followed by all. The middle turning lane is made to turn onto side streets and not to give us a lane to merge in with traffic...it's not a driving lane.

I agree with promoting motorcycle safety through various classes etc but I think that most drivers need to possibly be sent back to driving school to learn how to drive again and maybe the cops should start giving out stupidity tickets that require you to go to a training class and learn the laws and rules of being a good driver.

The President sat at the very desk his predecessor sat at and announced American combat in Iraq but he declared the end of Combat Operations tonight for the American and Coalition Forces in Iraq. I sat and listened intently to what was being announced with mixed emotions. I found myself hoping to hear certain things but unsure of even what I was hoping to hear. I'm happy that we are wrapping it up, no one wins in war and my heart is heavy from knowing and feeling the loss of too many. I guess there was a part of me that hoped I would be cleansed by the announcement and things would feel different but I just felt so hollow.

This morning fellow Briefing Room Writer MSG Craig C. and I were talking about dealing with our "demons" and trying to find a moment of mutual ground to assist each other. It was somewhat ominous that later in the evening I would be looking for some theoretical cleansing. I guess moving forward is not always moving past. Now as I type I sit and think about those that never made it back to see this moment and hope they know in our hearts their efforts led us to here. I'm not saying that in a political way but from a stance of indebtedness. 

I don't think we went through the motions but went through the fire. For some the fire will burn with the brightness of the refinery on aspen at checkpoint 1 Alpha Sierra for years to come. I guess knowing that I will never go back I can sleep better but will not know the true satisfaction of victory will continue to haunt.

I think that's part of though, knowing what haunts were the losses, not being able to avenge. Going back cannot avenge those losses, it's not like we can invite the other side to meet us in the back alley and throw down. We can never recreate the circumstances and decisions other than in our mind and the armchair quarterbacking will go on. I guess in Hollywood we will win some more than we lose but at least we will be able to tell the important stories. I hope that I get a chance to tell a couple, I have many more than that, not mine per say but ones that I know have just been traded amongst professional and will never see the light of day unless someone places the legacy where it belongs. 

I guess I just want to say Thanks to those that pulled the laces tight, whether or not they believed in anything other than person to the left and the right and showed up for the rumble. Thank YOU all for your time, sacrifice and fellowship.

You didn't "check the block", Y'all checked the chin and punished the deserving and empowered the righteous!

I took the summer off from writing to try some new formulas in my life. After speaking with a great friend and mentor Blackfive I am ready to get back at it and start sharing some of the experiences that have happened in my life. I do lead an interesting one and many are curious about it and since I'm very protected on places like Facebook and twitter I guess it's best to do it here.

Life holds many splendors and I have taken some time this summer to better know some. Many the family! I have been pretty busy the past year focusing my efforts on things of passion and work and have found myself neglecting those things closest to me. It's so refreshing to hear the two year old perspective on the importance of Rice Krispy Treats, the seven year old believe that trains really are the coolest form of transportation and then the 12 year old rebuttal that flight is freedom and when can I start. By listening to this special and important voices I have found my own voice again and so will be sharing it with all of you.

I'm going to start with video games. We have been blessed to get a couple of game systems in our home over the past couple of years. We have a Nintendo Wii that we absolutely love and enjoy. Now, I am not a "V-Idiot" (vid-eot) but I do enjoy a game here and there. My video game history has been primarily updated versions of NHL starting back in 1994 then randomly throughout the years getting a newer own. However now with the Wii I find myself playing with the boys and its fun from baseball, bowling, swordfighting to a fun little tank game but it all comes together with a family night of Guitar Hero World Tour when everyone gets an instrument and we make music together. I find this to be clean, engaging fun.

I'm not a first person shooter game player. Perhaps when I was younger and less experienced it might have filled some strange tough guy fantasy that I had but once I joined the Army I found plenty of opportunities to find out how tough I really was so a game really held no meaning or joy. There were some items played for the purpose of education but I found the real thing far more exciting. I wanted my reflexes to be 3 dimensional and not focused on a screen in front of me. I wanted to know the pressure of success and the cost of defeat and that motivator to keep the pressure to be better flowing. I have often thought about whether or not I will allow the kids to play certain games and so far to date I have shied away from "shooting games". This inner monologue came out last night as I was talking to a Canadian Soldier who is a friend and he had just conducted an interview about the new Medal of Honor game by EA Sports. This friend has just returned from a tour in Afghanistan and perhaps you might have read some of his offerings here but he on several occasions had to face the Taliban and get dirty. The new Medal of Honor will allow players to be on both sides, the International Coalition, NATO led forces or the Taliban, which means you would be engaging U.S and Canadian Forces. I am one that never found Blue on Blue a joking matter or a game so this really struck a chord. Being engaged by friendly forces in Iraq was a heart wrenching experience, and trying not to beat the scared idiot that lacked the discipline to know what he was shooting at, however I never doubted the fear that entered that poor guys heart knowing he might have killed the very guys sent to save his life would weigh far heavier than any ass whooping I could've dealt him. These are real, raw human emotions and extremely volatile.

Is hunting and killing US and Canadian troops entertainment? The game is based off units and events so is the blood of our brothers worth nothing more than to let some selfish chicken shit geek that could have used his skills to assist our country and cause make a couple of bucks? Now I know in the past there has been the ability to play opposing forces like the Nazi's but I'm pretty sure there might be a demographic that is offended. My Grandfather fought against Rommel and impressed upon me as a small child that he was to be respected for his mind and tactical abilities and not judged by the agenda of others in that Reich but I would never take up arms against my blood even in play. As a child we played Cops and Robbers and if we played war that involved an enemy we would always all fight against an imaginary enemy so as not to "kill" our force our friends to be on a side they were not part of. 

Am I taking this too personal? I don't think so, I'm just a guy that came to this country and raised my hand to stand by the convictions of our greater good. Not only did I enter into our social contract but into a binding contract based on my believe that sometimes we have to Punish the Deserving. There are some things I cannot condone, like beating women and children, slavery and I will not break bread with anyone that does, call me old fashioned. Do you think I will break bread with anyone that condones the hunting and killing of my friends? Come on over for dinner and find out........

This was submitted by our writer Craig Colton! 

I received an e-mail the other day requesting riders for a Patriot Guard Riders mission. This one would be for Airman First Class (A1C) Matt Kennedy. The mail said that he had returned from Iraq and "came back with wounds no one could see, like so many others." This caught my attention because I have worked with and been friends with many returning veterans from the desert, both wounded and those without visible injuries, but one thing can be said is that we all came back changed in one way or another.

Was it the actual combat or seeing the results of combat … was it the mortars, missiles and gunfire, or was it the sounds in the distance ... the sight of and the dealing with vehicles after they had been destroyed… the wounded, or even worse, the casualties of war? Although this is 2010, it is not that much different than those that came before us, securing our freedoms and allowing us to grow up in the greatest nation in the world. We all have our crosses to bear and memories that will stay with us for the rest of our lives, and how we deal with this is as different as each individual.

I searched the Internet and could find nothing about Matt as to how he died, but I did learn that he was in Nacogdoches, Texas, passed away, and that he had been deployed to Iraq. When, I didn’t know, and in my mind, that meant only one of two things; he was either on leave or had gotten out after a couple of years in the Air Force. I asked a friend with Soldiers Angels if she had heard any news of this young man’s passing and related the fact that I could find no information on him on the Internet.  She told me she would look into it and ensure that Angels Wings were wrapped around him and his family.  There was very little info that SA had on Matt although that is where I found --  “Matthew James ‘Matt’ Kennedy, 28, formerly of Abilene, went to be with his Lord whom he loved so much on Tuesday, June 15, 2010, in Nacogdoches, Texas. "

Today, as I met up with fellow veterans and active duty members, we rode to the church where the service was to be held.  Shortly after arriving I met with a good friend and retired Chief that quickly introduced me to Matt’s uncle, a veteran as well as a rider. He was very thankful to have 20 or so PGR members there to ride and honor his nephew, but became somewhat silent after that, and I didn't want to impose by asking questions or bother him in this time of sorrow and reflection.

Then came the actual mission brief and we found out that Matt was in Iraq in 2004 and was in the Security Forces specialty. In the Air Force there are few career fields that are by nature combat positions, there are our Special Operations folks, our Tactical Control Party members assigned with the Army and then there are Security Forces, cops at home station and defenders of the base, but while deployed they are our infantry. I won't pretend to even say I have any idea of what he went through, but I do know that he was an American that answered the call when asked, regardless of the consequences.

I won't question his reasons, nor will I let any man speak ill of this young American Hero, but Matt took his own life on June 15, 2010, in Nacogdoches, Texas. His pain and wounds, that no one else could see, no longer haunt him.

 Rest in Peace, A1C Matthew James Kennedy.

With in the past couple of weeks there have been a couple of historical days. Memorial Day and D-Day Anniversary.  Not far from my house is an American Legion and I drive past it several times a week if I am in Bastrop and it always captures my attention. One it holds a great F-4 and an Artillery piece that just chill out side in it's parking lot. Being that we have no airstrip nearby the bird of prey kind of sticks out. The kids love it because there is a wicked war bird that they can get real close to. I find myself envious of their exposure to cool military stuff since as a kid I had none and it's always around them.

Jeff was returning from a West Coast trip where He and Patti were being honored for their founding of Soldiers Angels and I picked him up at the Austin Airport. We enjoy this Cajun Swamp Shack that makes the most delicious Crawfish in the area and had planned on stopping there on the way back. This is a planned stop that requires preparation, mainly purchasing Lone Star before arrival since it's BYOB and my plan was to introduce Scarlett to this treat so I got her favorite juice. Upon arrival we learned it was closed and now is on limited hours because of the effects of Gulf Disaster, they serve more than crawfish, shrimp and oysters etc..

We went to Plan B which is the Road House across the street from our neighborhood. We pulled in and looked at the American Legion and saw all the vehicles and we both sat there wondering what cool event must have been going on there. Not once did either one of us realize or acknowledge what historical day it was.

Afterwards, I enjoyed some TV and then read a bit when all of a sudden the light in my head went on. How DARE I forget what day it was. How could I have forgotten and with all the signs and reminders? I started with the cliche' excuses, blaming television, poor education system, lack of connection of the public and veterans but then realized the maximum effective range of an excuse is zero meters. These don't apply to me, I have just become so self absorbed that I neglected one of the greatest days in modern world history.

In my defense however I will state that there really was not much mention in the general public about D-Day, which leads me to believe the BOOMERS are letting the Greatest Generation down and ours as well because we should know, understand and comprehend why we are not under Fascist rule. 

We need to share this information, however I think with the amount of bullshit information we share these days we could not pull off another D-Day which is more reason to admire, respect and revere those that DID! Imagine the facebook, twitter postings and Media reports........

Breaking news.......

Tweet states that.....

Status Update.......

There really are only a few story lines in the world, the most common of which is Love. As a world we have seen this story line played out in countless books, films, oral tradition and every now and then our own lives. I think we all try to find the true love story for ourselves and in our lives and hope that we will have that really magical event in our lives. 

Disclosure ( I am not making a statement about MY love story or stating that there are stories BETTER than mine.)

With work I come across Families that have been stressed and strained and sadly they do not always stay together, even in my own life after returning from Iraq on my last tour the reunion process was less than romantic. I have seen some remarkable strength and determination and dedication but more often than not I see it boil down to basic selfish desires and ideals and most families/ marriages end abruptly with animosity.

While sitting at one of my temporary work spaces who knows where I read a letter not addressed to me but a kind of general "please take into consideration" the needs of my love but no real mention of herself. This is common however who she was not common in terms of her relationship. She was a girl friend/ fiance and in terms of the military that is not really recognized until there is a formal or legal relationship. So with NO support or recognition what would YOU do for love.

This is what really impressed me and brought out the real love story. I have talked with many folks and heard many definitions of love story and seen great ones with my friends, Steve ad Wendy, Souci and Stacy, my friend Julie sharing vignettes about struggling and still finding time to support each other even if it meant hanging while one trains horses but like most humans I dig a good story.

So, back to this letter, it starts out with a basic introduction of the situation which involves a high profile incident late last year at Fort Hood. Most of the news was intense when it first happened and there was a select few that got the majority of the camera time but there were a couple that suffered far more than the rest with the exemption of the killed. The general public were not very informed on them or their condition because of the sensitivity of the issues and quite frankly I like many were happy to know that privacy was being protected and more importantly being RESPECTED. This story involves one of the wounded that was severely injured with a Gun Shot Wound that has kept the person in the hospital since the incident and most of the time in ICU. The out look has been touch and go and with the implication that this permanent damage has changed quality of life forever. Now, with the back story set would YOU fly across the country, sit bed side and pray? Would you give up your life and walk away from all that is yours to stand, sit and sleep in an uncomfortable chair and not for a week. Would You do it with perhaps no hope at all. I got the opportunity to meet this young lady and of course on my way there I wondered WHO I would really meet, perhaps I analyze stuff too much but I had this vision in my head. Let's just say, I was not thinking Helen of Troy or Juliet, perhaps a little Sandra Bullock in, While You Were Sleeping but WHO I met was truly inspiring.

I will use only a first name to respect the identity but Jessica truly is the example of an American Love Story. Here is a normal, beautiful, young lady that walked away from all that was hers to be bedside of her love. She has endured some resistance and frustrations because she is not married to her Love and will not get married to solve a paperwork issue. She is maintaining her position and keeping her commitment to Love pure. The whole time she was talking I had Lara's theme playing in my head and it rejuvenated my belief in Love and in a weird transition I spent the road trip home thinking about commitment and my personal understanding of LOVE and COMMITMENT. I went through a whole range of emotions and memories and must say that every where I have been looking her the past couple of days I am seeing love and commitment. So with this written my I suggest you thank a Veteran this Memorial Day as he or she do understand commitment and Love, be it for country  it's still LOVE!