Greensboro, North Carolina
April 24, 2010

The 113th Sustainment Brigade, N.C. Army Nation Guard is sponsoring.

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Military Appreciation Day 5 is just around the corner. In preparation, the annual fund raising poker run has been scheduled for April 17, 2010.

Below is a cropped version of the official poker run flyer. Contact Emmit Morehead at emmit27893@yahoo.com for additional info.

Note: You dont have to ride a bike to participate .

An Open Letter to the Republican Party
Regarding Adam Kokesh

We are writing to you, to express our grave concerns about Adam Kokesh, who is aspiring to become the Republican nominee for US Congress from New Mexico’s 3rd district. Mr. Kokesh has an extensive and well-documented history of affiliations with radical leftist groups. In concert with these groups he has engaged in numerous anti-America and anti-military demonstrations and protests. Moreover, Mr. Kokesh does not appear to have any personal qualifications that would recommend him for serious consideration as a candidate for the Republican Party. He has a significant history suggestive of poor character and judgment, and he has notable incidents of direct activism against Republican office holders.

Affiliations with radical leftist groups
Mr. Kokesh joined the Iraq Veterans Against War (IVAW) in February 2007, at which time he was 25 years old. The IVAW was formed by the Vietnam Veterans Against War (VVAW), the now infamous group, formed by John Kerry in 1970, and responsible for the fraudulent maligning of our Vietnam veterans at the Winter Soldier Conference in 1971. It will be recalled that John Kerry now stands exposed as having repeated false accusations from that conference, during Congressional testimony in 1971. Similar to the VVAW, the IVAW is a virulently anti-military, anti-America group. It holds the view that our country is an imperialistic and expansionistic “One World Order” government, and that our military is but a tool of this government. Further, they believe that our soldiers are little more than marauders and murderers who, in the words of John Kerry, behave “in a fashion reminiscent of Genghis Khan”.

Mr. Kokesh was active in the IVAW from 2007 to 2009, at which time he announced his candidacy for Republican Congressman from New Mexico. There are no indications that he has revoked his affiliations with the IVAW. As an active member of the IVAW, Mr. Kokesh was involved in numerous anti-military, and by explicit extension, anti-Bush/Republican activities and actions. While executing these actions, Mr. Kokesh knowingly and gladly, made common cause with a wide array of other well-known, radical anti-America and communist groups. The list of these other groups includes, but is by no means limited to, the following:

SDS
Code Pink
A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition
United for Justice and Peace
Communist Party of America
Muslim Brotherhood
Black Panthers

In cooperation with the above-named groups and the IVAW, Mr. Kokesh: participated in multiple anti-war demonstrations in Washington DC, and other cities throughout the country; organized and incited violent demonstrations at military recruiting stations; participated in an initiative to encourage active duty soldiers to desert their military post; organized and participated in a Winter Soldier Conference 2, an effort designed to malign and undercut the moral of our soldiers who were fighting and dying on the battlefield. Even a most cursory search of the Internet will yield a plethora of documents attesting to the veracity of these assertions.

Character Issues

Mr. Kokesh’s personal accomplishments and achievements appear to be limited to his having served in the Marine Corps from 1999 until 2006, and his work as a political activist with the IVAW, from 2007 until 2009. His MC service was basically unremarkable, in terms of citations, medals, and commendations, and it was ultimately marked by a demotion in his discharge rank from Sergeant to Corporal, and a downgrading of his discharge status from honorable to general. Mr. Kokesh’s tenure with the IVAW has been noted above and need not be repeated here.

There are no indications that Mr. Kokesh has ever maintained any private sector employment, and unless otherwise proven, it might be assumed that his ‘work’ with the IVAW was financed through contributions to that organization, finances that often originated in leftist organizations such as MoveOn.org.

Other than an undergraduate degree in Psychology, there are no indications that Mr. Kokesh has achieved any academic standing that might, given his young age and his otherwise lack of general accomplishments, recommend him for serious consideration for Congress.

There are numbers of incidents in Mr. Kokesh’s personal life that suggest that he employs poor judgment. Examples of this include the following: he smuggled a gun home from Iraq, and then was apprehended when he bought it onto a college campus; he has incited protestors to engage in violent actions against military recruiting stations; and, he incited unrest on a college campus by hanging racist poster around the campus, and signing the posters as being from a member of the college’s conservative Republican organization.

Finally, there is no documented evidence that Mr. Kokesh has been supportive of the Republican Party prior to his campaign announcement in 2009. Yet, there are notable prior incidents in which he has joined with radical leftists in protesting Republican office holders. These include: a high-profile media mocking of Alberto Gonzales’s testimony to Congress regarding the dismissal of the U.S. attorney’s; interrupting John McCain’s acceptance speech at the 2008 Republican National convention; and; participating in a radical left anti-war march on the Bush home in Kennebunkport, Maine.

Given the above, it is our position that Mr. Kokesh is in no way qualified to represent the Republican Party in Congress. In fact, if his history is any indicator of his future performance, it is most likely that he will behave in a manner that is antithetical to the positions and values of the Republican Party. In our view, a Kokesh candidacy will at best, precipitate much conflict within the Republican Party, and, at worst, invite derision from outside of the party.

Like you, we are interested in maintaining the integrity of the Republican Party. We understand that this is a time when the party leadership is striving to reconcile disparate ideas within the party, and to clarify its unified voice. A Kokesh candidacy would be completely at odds with those strivings and ideals.

We are urging the Republican Party to withhold any endorsement of a ‘Kokesh for Congress’ candidacy. We look forward to hearing from you.

From the Patriot Guard Riders Forum

It is with a very heavy heart to announce the passing of a truly great American Hero. Our Hero, our Friend, our Mentor passed away this afternoon after being involved in a motorcycle accident. Bill"Snap"Lines was truly one of the finest Americans who ever graced this earth, and stood for all that stood for us. Snap was returning from a mission in Georgia when he was involved in a motorcycle accident, and now he shall forever soar with eagles. The passing of this Hero will be forever etched in the memory of all whoever met him, his smile, his grace, and a simple Thank You. Snap never met a stranger, and never hesitated to Welcome a brother Vietnam Vet Home. He will surely be missed by everyone, but we will always remember Him for his quest to make the PGR what it is today.

Snap was a highly decorated Warrior, serving in Vietnam from April 1967 to July 1968 with the Big Red 1. Snap extended his tour so that he could return home with his long time friend Dusty. Snap also had a brother who did not return home from Vietnam, and this was the reason Snap chose to fight for his country. SSG Lines Earned The Distinguished Service Cross for his Distinguished and Gallant Bravery in Vietnam. Snap was also the recipient of 5 Bronze Stars (ALL with V for Valor), 2 Purple Hearts, 2 Army Commendation Medals, The Combat Infantryman Badge. Airborne Jump Wings, and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry and Numerous other Awards. Snap was also put in for the Congressional Medal of Honor. As you can see our friend was truly an American Hero.

Please, goto PGR Forum and read the rest ...

via Josh Irving at SupportOurSeals.com

As most of you know, some of our military’s most elite, the Navy SEALs are under fire from the US Government for allegedly assaulting one of the most wanted terrorists in Iraq. Ahmed Hashim Abed is the suspected mastermind of the murder and mutilation of four Blackwater USA security guards in Fallujah in 2004. Special Warfare Operators 2nd Class Matthew McCabe and Jonathan Keefe, and Special Warfare Operator 1st Class Julio Huertas all face charges including allegedly punching Abed while being detained.
This past December, all 3 SEALs were arraigned and plead not guilty to the charges stemming from the alleged abuse of Abed. The 3 SEALs refused Non-Judicial Punishment (Captain’s Mast) which is based on an assumption of guilt resulting in consequences that can be career changing, and opted to take their chances with a Special Courts-Marshal to prove their innocents. Their trials are set to begin in 2010 and if convicted, they carry a federal conviction that will follow them throughout their lives, and punishment that can include a year detention and a separation from the service with an Other than Honorable Discharge.

The charges being brought against these SEALs, if guilty, warrant nothing more than a slap on the wrist. These guys do not deserve this; they deserve to be treated like heroes for doing the jobs that 99.999% of American couldn’t even fathom. Yet, here they are being thrown up on the chopping block by non other than the US Government. The country they swore to defend is now feeding them to the wolves. And to add insult to injury, Chapter 18 of the Al Qaeda training manual released by the US Justice Department says that members must complain of torture and mistreatment inflicted on them. They’re trained to use our own system against us!

I’m sure all of you agree that this is a complete outrage and mockery of our US Military. As Americans, we CANNOT stand for this and MUST show support for our troops who are constantly being put in harms way to protect the country that is now bringing them under fire.

Two of the 3 SEALs, Matthew McCabe (accused of punching Abed) & Julio Huertas went before a judge on Dec 7, 2009 and are scheduled to being trail in January, 2010. A very successful Support Rally for the 3 SEALs was also held that same day outside the Norfolk Naval Base in Norfolk, VA. Several hundred supporters came and went throughout the morning waving flags and holding signs as the 2 SEALs appeared in court. You can read more about the rally that took place at: http://www.SupportOurSEALs.com. The 3rd SEAL, Jonathan Keefe was arraigned on Tuesday, Dec 22, and his trial is set to begin in April, 2010.

Currently, nation wide Support Rallies are being planned for Jan 19, 2009 for various locations all across the U.S. This is the day Matthew McCabe’s trail starts and we want the world to know we stand behind these guys and support them. The more local media coverage we get from coast to coast, the more national coverage these 3 SEALs will get. As of right now, we are hearing of rallies coming together at the following locations, but will know more as it gets closer to the 19th:
• Naval Station Norfolk in Norfolk, VA
• Kirtland AFB in Albuquerque, NM : http://www.meetup.com/Southwest-Patriots/calendar/12123784
• Perrysburg, OH, the Home Town of Matthew McCabe: http://www.meetup.com/the-children-of-liberty-d5/calendar/12127984/
• Naval Base San Diego in San Diego, CA
• Fort Hood in Killeen, TX
• Fort Worth Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base in Fort Worth, TX
And hopefully many more across the nation! We will continue to update everyone as more details about these rallies become available and PLEASE let us know ASAP if you are planning one in your area that day so we can help you promote it.

We want to stress to everyone that these are not protests, but instead rallies to show support for these 3 brave warriors. As Scott Taylor put it, “We are not against the military, we are supporting our boys. We stand against the political correctness being placed upon our brave men and women in a war zone. We agree that what these warriors are being alleged to have done warrants nothing more than someone telling you to stop. We applaud their brave actions in capturing this terrorist who was responsible for planning, killing, mutilating, and hanging 4 American citizens from a bridge in Fallujah. This then caused the invasion of Fallujah, costing many more American lives. Kudos to all of you out there showing leadership and standing by these men.”

If you are unsure you will be able to attend one of these rallies, PLEASE mark the RSVP for this event as “Maybe Attending” so we can continue to keep you updated.

Also, there are several groups / sites out there asking for donations in relation to the situation surrounding this case. PLEASE make sure you exercise due diligence when choosing to contribute to a defense fund. I know of one site in particular that is asking for donations so they can air the story on cable. As of right now, the legal costs for these 3 SEALs are extremely high and they have to cover those cost with money out of their own pocket. So, we are putting the call out to ALL Americans across the nation to help support these guys. The US Navy SEAL/Warrior Legal Defense Fund has been setup so donations can be made, and 100% of proceeds go directly to the 3 representing lawyers specifically for these SEALs on trial. Also, it’s been reported that there’s a possibility the trial could go over seas. If this happens, the legal fees could go much, much higher. And YES, I did say there’s a chance the trial could be held in Iraq since the accuser is an Iraqi prisoner. You can find out more about this particular defense fund at our website: http://www.SupportOurSEALs.com.

Lastly, please help us spread the word by doing the following:
1. Invite everyone you know and encourage them to do the same. Even if you’re not in the area, we need to get the word out to those who are. You can do this by clicking on the link “Invite People to Come”
2. Share this event with your friends. You can do this by clicking on the button “Share +”. This will post the event on your home page for everyone to see. Both of these links can be found directly under the picture of the SEALs on this page.
3. Post link a link to the website http://www.SupportOurSEALs.com on Facebook pages, groups, walls & also on blogs, forums and other websites talking about this case.

Thanks for your support, Josh

The GOE Warrior Support Project
Mission Update: December 31, 2009

Dade County Soldier Burglarized While Serving USA In Afghanistan

If you want to help, a fund has been set up in his name at the Bank of Dade. You can make contributions there or mail them to the American Legion's P.O. Box number 305 Trenton, GA 30752 c/o Jeffery Farmer.

via Specialty Coffee Association of Europe
Kona growers donate coffee to US troops in Afghanistan and Iraq

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