A Wise Man Told Me Once; Aint Nothing But A Thang Darlin'

Don't Worry Bout A Thing by Shedaisy

Ever been misunderstood, misused, or misledEver knocked on the sky and had it fall on your headwell, don't worry 'bout it, don't worryEver lost your luggage, your marbles, your houseOr found yourself in bed with Uncle Sam or Mickey MouseEver been accused of murder on Music RowOr caught in morning traffic when you really gotta go - Oh no! [Chorus]Life is funny, life's a messSometimes a curse, sometimes a blessingDon't worry 'bout a thing, don't worry 'bout itLife gets sticky, life can bruiseSometimes you win sometimes your losingNo matter what it bringsDon't worry 'bout a thingEver sat yourself down when the seat is all wetOr see your "ex" sucking face with a little brunetteDon't worry 'bout it, no don't worryEver lost your religion, ever lost yourbest friendOr found your last record in the bargain binOr been stuck in a divorce like crazy glueOr scraped someone else's gum off the bottom of your shoe - Boo hooDon't worry, don't worry[Bridge:]We all got a little junk in the trunkAnd when you're feelin' good as sunkRemember, everything will be just fineIf I laugh at yours then you'll laugh at mine[Repeat Chorus 2x](Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah - Blah, Blah,Blah, Blah, Blah, - Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah)Don't worry, don't worryLife gets sticky, life can bruiseSometimes you win sometimes your losingNo matter what it bringsDon't worry 'bout a thing(thank you very much)

Special Weather Statement From NOAA

Special Weather StatementNational Weather Service Jackson Ms319 Pm Cdt Sat Aug 27 2005Arz074-075-laz007>009-015-016-023>026-msz018-019-025>066-072>074-280900-Adams-ashley-attala-bolivar-carroll-catahoula-chicot-choctaw-Claiborne-clarke-clay-concordia-copiah-covington-east Carroll-Forrest-franklin La-franklin Ms-grenada-hinds-holmes-humphreys-Issaquena-jasper-jefferson-jefferson Davis-jones-kemper-lamar-Lauderdale-lawrence-leake-leflore-lincoln-lowndes-madison La-Madison Ms-marion-montgomery-morehouse-neshoba-newton-noxubee-Oktibbeha-rankin-richland-scott-sharkey-simpson-smith-sunflower-Tensas-warren-washington-webster-west Carroll-winston-yazoo-319 Pm Cdt Sat Aug 27 2005...category Three Hurricane Katrina Forecast Into MississippiMonday...Hurricane Katrina Has Been Classified As A Category Three HurricaneWith Maximum Sustained Winds Near 115 Mph. This Massive Storm HasTracked Westward Across The Gulf But The Developing WeatherPattern Over The Southeast United States Will Begin To Steer TheSystem To The Northwest Tonight.The Current Track Forecast By The National Hurricane Center BringsMajor Hurricane Katrina Onshore South Of New Orleans Monday. TheSystem Will Continue Into South Mississippi Monday Night...movingNorth Of Jackson Tuesday Morning.If Hurricane Katrina Remains On The Forecast Track...weatherConditions Will Become Extremely Dangerous Across NortheastLouisiana And Much Of Mississippi. Tropical Storm Force Winds Of39 Miles An Hour And Higher Will Be Possible Over South MississippiMonday Afternoon And Across Much Of Central And NortheastMississippi Later Monday. A Large Swath Of Sustained WindSpeeds Around 60 Miles An Hour And Higher...including The PotentialFor Sustained Hurricane Force Winds In Excess Of 75 Mph...will BePossible Over Areas East Of Interstate 55 And South Of Interstate 20Monday Evening And Monday Night.Hurricane Katrina Will Produce A Deluge Of Torrential Rainfall AlongAnd To The East Of Its Path. Flooding Rains Will Develop OverCentral And East Mississippi Monday Night And Tuesday If TheSystem Lifts Into Mississippi Along The Forecast Track. RainfallAmounts From Five To Ten Inches Will Be Possible With This Storm.Tornadoes Often Occur Along The Spiral Bands Of Rainfall That PivotAround The Hurricane Center. The Greatest Chance For TornadoDevelopment Will Occur Over Areas East Of Interstate 55 MondayNight And Tuesday But The Risk May Extend Farther West If The PathShifts Westward.Preparations For The Possible Arrival Of This DangerousHurricane Should Be Underway. Decide Which Part Of Your House IsSafest And Create A Family Disaster Plan. Check Your Stock Of CannedFoods...first Aid Supplies...drinking Water And Prescription Drugs.Make Plans For Possible Prolonged Power Outages And Loss Of Water OrOther Utilities. Remember That Service Stations Without Power WillBe Closed. Decide On Accommodations For Pets.Get A Weather Radio With Battery Backup...it's Your Fastest SourceFor Weather Warnings And Information.Stay Tuned For Updates And Warnings As This Dangerous WeatherEpisode Unfolds.

MS/LA Batten Hatches And Wait For Katrina

Katrina a powerful Cat 3 hurricane is churning toward the Gulf Coast Region today. Katrina is the 11th named storm in a very active hurricane season. Mandatory evacutations are expected later on today and as of an hour or so ago bumper to bumper traffic was seen in NO on I-10 leading out of NO. Hurricane Shelters are already opening in the northern counties of MS and are expected to open gradually here in the River City tonight on a as needed basis. Katrina is still expected to gain strength although her central pressure has risen slightly and the eye wall has closed. She is expected to make land fall sometime Monday after noon anywhere along the gulf coast from LA to the FLA pandhandle. All the path of the storm the National weather service is expecting rainfall from 5-10 inches. If you are in the path of this storm please secure your pocessions and get out NOW. If you are inland but along the path please batten your hatches as well. Winds can gust up to 40-50 miles per hour well inland and you need to secure belonging outside that can be blow around. You also need to keep a close watch on the weather buy a battery operated weather alert radio. Tornadoes are likely with all tropical landfalling systems. Make sure you have batteries and canned food that can be prepared with out electricity. But most of all be vigilant. I-55 & I59 will be one way in MS from the LA state line to Brookhaven and Popularville. The Governor of MS has issued a state of emergency for the state. This is a very serious situation so please stay tuned to your local tv/radio stations and of course the weather channel. Lets all do what we have to do to survive this horrific storm.

BE PREPARED!

WLBT Channel 3 Hosting Segments On 150th At Dogwood

Tonight wast the first of a series of segments on 150 CEB at Dogwood

Tonight they interviewed SFC Stiles, Wayne West, and others you could also see SFC Kelly in the back groud handing out toys!

This was a wonderful report on the guys and all the good they are doing in the region!

Be sure to watch WLBT at 10pm this week for further segments!

Homeward Bound

Homeward Bound
In the quiet misty morning when the moon has gone to bed,When the sparrows stop their singing and the sky is clear and red.When the summer’s ceased its gleaming,When the corn is past its prime, When adventure’s lost its meaning, I’ll be homeward bound in time.
Bind me not to the pasture, chain me not to the plow.Set me free to find my calling and I’ll return to you somehow.
If you find it’s me you're missing, if you’re hoping I’ll return.To your thoughts I’ll soon be list’ning, and in the road I’ll stop and turn.Then the wind will set me racing as my journey nears its end.And the path I’ll be retracing when I’m homeward bound again.
Bind me not to the pasture, chain me not to the plow.Set me free to find my calling and I’ll return to you somehow.
In the quiet misty morning when the moon has gone to bed,When the sparrows stop their singing, I’ll be homeward bound again.
-Music and Lyrics by Marta Keen

More News From SFC Kelly

Blackanthem.com, FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU, Iraq, August 12, 2005

Two hundred and nineteen suspected insurgents were detained in northern Babil province during an operation conducted recently by Iraqi Security Forces and U.S. Soldiers. The operation began June 25th.

Operation Strategic Separation (al Azil al Sitrateegi) was conducted to deny anti-coalition forces freedom of movement and safe havens throughout Northern Babil province. Iraqi forces focused on the cities of Jurf as Sakhr, Haswah, Diyarah, Bahbahani, and Musayyib throughout the operation. As many as 350 Iraqi soldiers and police officers were involved in the operation.

"The Iraqi Security forces demonstrated their abilities and professionalism throughout the conduct of this operation," said Army Lt. Col. Trent Kelly, 155th BCT ISF coordinator. "The ISF continue to make great strides in their training and are well on their way to becoming a stand-alone force fully capable of combating the insurgency."

The 155th BCT is a U.S. Army unit assigned to II Marine Expeditionary Force (Fwd) in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Dear Cindy From Mohammed

Friday, August 12, 2005

A message to Cindy Sheehan
I realize how tragic your loss is and I know how much pain there is crushing your heart and I know the darkness that suddenly came to wrap your life and wipe away your dreams and I do feel the heat of your tears that won't dry until you find the answers to your question; why you lost your loved one?

I have heard your story and I understand that you have the full right to ask people to stand by your side and support your cause. At the beginning I told myself, this is yet another woman who lost a piece of her heart and the questions of war, peace and why are killing her everyday. To be frank to you the first thing I thought of was like "why should I listen or care to answer when there are thousands of other women in America, Iraq and Afghanistan who lost a son or a husband or a brother…”

But today I was looking at your picture and I saw in your eyes a persistence, a great pain and a torturing question; why?

I know how you feel Cindy, I lived among the same pains for 35 years but worse than that was the fear from losing our loved ones at any moment. Even while I'm writing these words to you there are feelings of fear, stress, and sadness that interrupt our lives all the time but in spite of all that I'm sticking hard to hope which if I didn't have I would have died years ago.

Ma'am, we asked for your nation's help and we asked you to stand with us in our war and your nation's act was (and still is) an act of ultimate courage and unmatched sense of humanity.
Our request is justified, death was our daily bread and a million Iraqi mothers were expecting death to knock on their doors at any second to claim someone from their families.
Your face doesn't look strange to me at all; I see it everyday on endless numbers of Iraqi women who were struck by losses like yours.

Our fellow country men and women were buried alive, cut to pieces and thrown in acid pools and some were fed to the wild dogs while those who were lucky enough ran away to live like strangers and the Iraqi mother was left to grieve one son buried in an unfound grave and another one living far away who she might not get to see again.

We did nothing to deserve all that suffering, well except for a dream we had; a dream of living like normal people do.

We cried out of joy the day your son and his comrades freed us from the hands of the devil and we went to the streets not believing that the nightmare is over.
We practiced our freedom first by kicking and burning the statues and portraits of the hateful idol who stole 35 years from the life of a nation.
For the first time air smelled that beautiful, that was the smell of freedom.

The mothers went to break the bars of cells looking for the ones they lost 5, 12 or 20 years ago and other women went to dig the land with their bare hand searching for a few bones they can hold in their arms after they couldn't hold them when they belonged to a living person.

I recall seeing a woman on TV two years ago, she was digging through the dirt with her hands. There was no definite grave in there as the whole place was one large grave but she seemed willing to dig the whole place looking for her two brothers who disappeared from earth 24 years ago when they were dragged from their colleges to a chamber of hell.

Her tears mixed with the dirt of the grave and there were journalists asking her about what her brothers did wrong and she was screaming "I don't know, I don't know. They were only college students. They didn't murder anyone, they didn't steal, and they didn't hurt anyone in their lives. All I want to know is the place of their grave".

Why was this woman chosen to lose her dear ones? Why you? Why did a million women have to go through the same pain?

We did not choose war for the sake of war itself and we didn't sacrifice a million lives for fun! We could've accepted our jailor and kept living in our chains for the rest of our lives but it's freedom ma'am.
Freedom is not an American thing and it's not an Iraqi thing, it's what unites us as human beings. We refuse all kinds of restrictions and that's why we fought and still fighting everyday in spite of the swords in the hands of the cavemen who want us dead or slaves for their evil masters.

You are free to go and leave us alone but what am I going to tell your million sisters in Iraq? Should I ask them to leave Iraq too? Should I leave too? And what about the eight millions who walked through bombs to practice their freedom and vote? Should they leave this land too?
Is it a cursed land that no one should live in? Why is it that we were chosen to live in all this pain, why me, why my people, why you?

But I am not leaving this land because the bad guys are not going to leave us or you to live in peace. They are the same ones who flew the planes to kill your people in New York.
I ask you in the name of God or whatever you believe in; do not waste your son's blood.
We here have decided to avenge humanity, you and all the women who lost their loved ones.
Take a look at our enemy Cindy, look closely at the hooded man holding the sword and if you think he's right then I will back off and support your call.

We live in pain and grief everyday, every hour, every minute; all the horrors of the powers of darkness have been directed at us and I don't know exactly when am I going to feel safe again, maybe in a year, maybe two or even ten; I frankly don't know but I don't want to lose hope and faith.

We are in need for every hand that can offer some help. Please pray for us, I know that God listens to mothers' prayers and I call all the women on earth to pray with you for peace in this world.

Your son sacrificed his life for a very noble cause…No, he sacrificed himself for the most precious value in this existence; that is freedom.

His blood didn't go in vain; your son and our brethren are drawing a great example of selflessness.
God bless his free soul and God bless the souls of his comrades who are fighting evil.
God bless the souls of Iraqis who suffered and died for the sake of freedom.
God bless all the freedom lovers on earth.

- posted by Mohammed @ 23:24

A Quirky Yet True Prayer

Dear Lord

So far today; I am doing all right. I have not gossiped, lost my temper, been greedy, grumpy, nasty, selfish, or self indulgent. I have not whined, complained, cursed, eaten any chocolate or charged anything to my credit card. But I will be getting out of bed in a minute, and I think that I will really need your help then.

Amen

Unique Thanks For Marine On His Way To Iraq

MORRISON - Mark Hickethier knew he was going to have to dig deep for this celebration dinner. "We were out to kill the fatted calf," he said, talking about his big plans.
His chosen destination -- The Fort -- a funky, fancy restaurant in Morrison that serves "fine food and drink from the early West." It's a special occasion place, and it comes with a price tag.
But no expense was too much for his only son, who's about to ship off to Iraq for his first tour of duty. Matt Hickethier has almost completed training, and has this week to say farewell to his family for about a year.
The young Marine decided to wear his dress blues to the fancy restaurant. His mother and sister wore their finest dresses.
"We were treated like kings and queens," says Lora Hickethier, Matt's mother.
They ordered champagne, and watched from the deck as a server took a tomahawk to the bottle to open it in ceremonial fashion. They loaded up on quirky appetizers, like rattlesnake, quail eggs, and buffalo tongue.
"We didn't hold back, we ordered dessert even though we were stuffed," said Lora Hickethier.
Perhaps it was the dress blues; maybe it was the general revelry and good vibes emanating from the Hickethier table. The truth may never be revealed, but the Hickethiers had certainly drawn attention. A couple at a neighboring table summoned Jason Barba, their server, and made a most unusual request.
"He gave me his credit card and requested I keep the tab open," said Barba. "'Anything that they order is on me.'"
Stephanie Amador, who was waiting on the Hickethier table, said the gentleman who picked up the tab insisted on doing it and also insisted on anonymity. The gesture was not even to be announced until he had finished and departed.
"It was just really, really neat," said Amador. "That doesn't happen -- ever," she added.
Amador speculated the benefactor's motivation might have been his gratitude to the young man in uniform. While the restaurant knows the man's name, they have said only that he's a businessman from Texas who was in town for a few days.
While the servers were impressed by this generous move, the Hickethiers were floored.
"I don't know the motivation, but I do know that it was mind-blowing," said Mark.
While Mark fully supports his son's decision to join the Marines and support the war effort in Iraq, he admits to being disturbed by those who say the fight isn't worth it. The gesture at The Fort reminded him of the many Americans that support young men like his son.
"It helped us feel more convinced of what our son is doing, Matt's doing the right thing and people do appreciate it," he said.
While they understand and respect the benefactor's desire for anonymity, they'd like the opportunity to thank him.

News Flash

Iraqi and U.S. forces capture suspected insurgents Blackanthem.com, FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU, Iraq, August 06, 2005
Iraqi Security Forces and U.S. Soldiers captured 39 suspected insurgents during a raid yesterday morning in Sharmiyah. Among the detainees were those suspected of being key insurgent leaders in the area.
Eight of the 39 insurgents were detained on the grounds of the Mudjaherin al Ansar mosque by Hillah SWAT, a specialized Iraqi Police unit. The mosque was not damaged in the operation.
The other suspected insurgents were detained during a cordon and knock operation by U.S. Soldiers.
The Soldiers were from the 150th Engineer Battalion, 155th Brigade Combat Team, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward). The 155th BCT is a U.S. Army unit assigned to the II Marine Expeditionary Force (Fwd) during Operation Iraqi Freedom
Source : II Marine Expeditionary Force (Fwd)

Never Ever Period.... My Rant On The Raffy Scandal!

Raffy Palmerio attended MSU when I did. He was a good guy who has done wonders in the professional baseball world. He just joined an elite group of sluggers by hitting his 3000 hit!
He also has done wonders for his home of Cuba as well as his Alma Mater MSU! He has donated alot of money to the school he loves and which loves him back. He gives back to those who have given to him.. he knows what MSU and Ron Polk did for his game and his success in the pros. We are button busting proud of him and all his accomplishments. We were shocked an saddened when Jose Casanko (or however you spell it) chose to drag Raffy through the steroid mud. But I believe in Raffy and I believe him when he says Never, Ever, Period.... Coach Ron Polk has come out saying like myself that he believes in Raffy as well as believes what he says. The media has been very anti Palmerio ever since he hit his 3000 hit... saying he wasn't Hall of Fame material .... I strongly disagree with that... he is definitely hall material. He has done the work... and joined the elite 4 and he deserves respect. The problem is he is a good man who is a great dad and husband. And the press just can't stand a good heart warming story... They are loving this; they wanted him to fall and fall hard.... If they would do their homework as well as the Baseball comissioner they would all see this is a mistake(there are a ton of meds with steroids in them that are prescribed for a bushel of ailments) if not a set up! Canstanko, as I call him, drug Raffy into this muck because he is jealous of Raffy's success and long lived career. He is also jealous of a kid from Cuba who came to America took a chance on a little Southern College because of a legendary Coach and who made it big and who has a truly wonderful life! This is the kind of story movies used to be made about .... Raffy you are a hero of our family! You deserve your family, you deserve your life, and you deserve your records and your future seat in the hall of fame! We love you and we believe in you! You are awesome!

In The End Only Kindness Matters... By Jewel

"Hands"
If I could tell the world just one thingIt would be that we're all OK
And not to worry 'cause worry is wastefulAnd useless in times like these
I won't be made uselessI won't be idle with despair
I will gather myself around my faith
For light does the darkness most fear
My hands are small, I knowBut they're not yours, they are my own
But they're not yours, they are my own
And I am never broken
Poverty stole your golden shoes
It didn't steal your laughter
And heartache came to visit me
But I knew it wasn't ever after
We'll fight, not out of spite
For someone must stand up for what's right
'Cause where there's a man who has no voice
There ours shall go singing
My hands are small I know
But they're not yours, they are my own
But they're not yours, they are my own
I am never broken
In the end only kindness matters
In the end only kindness matters
I will get down on my knees, and I will pray
I will get down on my knees, and I will pray
I will get down on my knees, and I will pray
My hands are small I know
But they're not yours, they are my own
But they're not yours, they are my own
And I am never broken
My hands are small I know
But they're not yours, they are my own
But they're not yours, they are my own
And I am never broken
We are never broken
We are God's hands
We are God's eyes
We are God's hands
We are reflections of God
And we are never broken

Of Dentists And Diplomats! By SFC Kevin Kelly

July 30, 2005 - A DENTIST OFFICE ON THE ROAD IN IRAQ
Today’s mission actually started yesterday. We had 3 dentists come to our FOB today to do a Civil Affairs mission of checking the teeth of locals in the village.

The dentist then had a little boy around 7 years old that sat there ready for a tooth to be pulled. The doc actually pulled out two. When he was done, the doc pulled out a dollar bill and explained to the boy that in America when you have a tooth pulled, you put it under your pillow and a tooth fairy comes and gives you money. He told the boy since he was a U.S. Govt. representative of the tooth fairy; he was granted special permission to give him the money now. When he told the little boy that, the little boy opened his mouth and pointed in his mouth and said he had another one that was hurting and it needed to be pulled. He was proud of his dollar, but no other tooth had to be pulled.

Next was a little boy with very bad teeth. He had to have 3 of them removed. When the dentist stuck the needle in the first time, the little boy yelled and jerked, but luckily the dentist pulled the needle out in time. We had to actually hold him down so that the area could be stuck with the needle. This little boy sounded like a little dog that had been hit or whipped. When he finally got all the shots and started to pull the teeth, he just sat there like there was nothing wrong. He got a dollar from the tooth fairy representative as well and 3 toys for his troubles. He went away with the biggest smile, but his mouth was full of gauze.

July 31, 2005
As we were standing by this house that we had searched earlier, this little boy who we had pulled a tooth from yesterday came up to us offering us some fruit. I’ve had it in the states before, but can’t remember the name of it. It’s this fruit that you pull off the peel and it has these little pouches with seeds in it. Very sour like a green apple, but very good. SGT Nazario and I split one. Man it was good, but made you drink more of that hot water. The one little boy came up to me and started pointing to my hand. I looked down and I must have cut it on something because it was bleeding. He ran inside to get me something that looked like a Band-Aid, but I passed on it and waited till I got back to the FOB. He did help me pour some of the water on it to wash it off. He was so proud that he could help. I’m telling you that the kids of this country are the ones that will be able to turn this country around if they are ever given the chance.