10 Jan 2020    Newsletter

Attack on our Embassy

Unlike when an Islamist military force attacked the US Counselate in Bengazzi, Libya, in 2012, our government didn’t wait when some Iran-backed crowds attacked our Embassy in Iraq.  No, as our military was prepared to do during the Bengazzi fiasco, our military was deployed immediately by our current Commander-in-Chief.

Hundreds of US paratroopers began a deployment to the Middle East the Army said, the morning after Defense Secretary Mark Esper ordered some 750 82nd Airborne Division troops be sent immediately in response to unrest in Iraq.

“At the direction of the Commander in Chief, I have authorized the deployment of an infantry battalion from the Immediate Response Force (IRF) of the 82nd Airborne Division to the US Central Command area of operations,” Esper said in a statement.

The rare rapid deployment, which adds to the nearly 14,000 troops that have deployed to the region to deter Iranian threats since this summer, comes after mobs waving militia flags stormed the US Embassy in Baghdad.

“What you saw was Iranian-backed terrorists … come into the American embassy and posing a risk to American diplomats and personnel inside the embassy,” said Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in an appearance on Fox News.

CENTCOM had sent some 100 Marines from the theater’s crisis response Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force to bolster the diplomatic compound’s security in the wake of the assault.

The first troops and equipment are from the Fort Bragg, NC-based 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, the 82nd Airborne said.

“The remainder of the 1st Brigade Combat Team, the BCT currently assigned the IRF mission, and elements of the 82nd Airborne Division remain postured and ready to deploy,” the division’s statement said.

Dubbed the All American Division, the unit is a rapid-deployment force that’s expected to be capable of planning, deploying and securing objectives within 18-hours notice.

Read More HERE

 

 

 

Qasem Soleimani is Dead.  So What?

Despite his short stature and quiet demeanor, Qasem Soleimani was considered one of the most infamous military operators in the Middle East by the US and our allies.

As leader of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ elite Quds Force, the 62-year-old bore responsibility for Iran’s clandestine operations overseas, quietly extending the military reach of Iran deep into foreign conflicts like those in Syria and Iraq.

In the process, he had earned himself a near mythical status among his enemies and idolization by his Iranian hard-line supporters.

Analysts have complained that Soleimani had more diplomatic clout than Iran’s Foreign Minister and pondered if he would eventually seek top political office himself. Some compared him to Karla, the fanatical, but fictional, Soviet spymaster in John LeCarre’s Cold War novels.

But according to reports from Iraqi state media, his story came to an end early on Friday morning after a US strike near the Baghdad airport killed him and a number of Iraqi militia leaders.

Soleimani’s death brings to an end a career that began in the early days after the 1979 revolution and helped shape the Islamic republic that followed it.

“More than anyone else, Soleimani has been responsible for the creation of an arc of influence – which Iran terms its ‘Axis of Resistance’ – extending from the Gulf of Oman through Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon to the eastern shores of the Mediterranean Sea,” wrote Ali Soufan, a former FBI agent and national security analyst, in a 2018 profile.

A young man from a poor family in Iran’s mountainous southeast, Soleimani had joined the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, a group designed to protect the new republic and enforce its strict ideological aims, after the revolution.

During the war with neighboring Iraq between 1980 and 1988, the Revolutionary Guard had gained political and economic power in the country and the bloody and brutal war in Iraq also helped shape Soleimani.

Though only in his twenties, he undertook missions behind enemy lines, the sort of irregular warfare that would one day become the calling card of the Quds Force.

He also found allies among Iraq’s majority Shiite population, some of whom backed Iran against the Sunni-dominated dictatorship of Saddam Hussein.

Read More HERE

 

 

 

2020 Foreign Policy Challenges

President Trump starts the new year knee-deep in daunting foreign policy challenges at the same time he’ll have to deal with a likely impeachment trial in the Senate and the demands of a reelection campaign.

American troops are still engaged in America’s longest war in Afghanistan. North Korea hasn’t given up its nuclear weapons. Add to that simmering tensions with Iran, fallout from Trump’s decision to pull troops from Syria, ongoing unease with Russia and Turkey, and erratic ties with European and other longtime Western allies.

Trump is not popular overseas, and, being an impeached president who must simultaneously run for reelection could reduce the time, focus and political clout needed to resolve complex global issues like North Korea’s nuclear provocations. Some foreign powers could decide to just hold off on finalizing any deals until they know whether Trump will be reelected. Trump himself has acknowledged the challenge in his Dec. 26 tweet:

“Despite all of the great success that our Country has had over the last 3 years, it makes it much more difficult to deal with foreign leaders (and others) when I am having to constantly defend myself against the Do Nothing Democrats & their bogus Impeachment Scam. Bad for USA!”

At the same time, there is widespread expectation that Trump never will be convicted by the Republican-controlled Senate, so 2020 could well bring more of the same from the president on foreign policy, said Ronald Neumann, president of the American Academy of Diplomacy.

“America still has an awful lot of power,” said Neumann, a three-time ambassador and former deputy assistant secretary of state. “With a year to go, a president can still make a lot of waves, impeachment or not.”

For Trump, 2019 was a year of two steps forward, one step back — sometimes vice versa — on international challenges. Despite claiming that “I know deals, I think, better than anybody knows deals,” he’s still trying to close a bunch.

Read More HERE

***A thought.  Think how great things could be for America if our president could apply his amazing negotiating and leadership skills at helping America instead of defending himself against people who hate him and lack any facts that justify the hate.

 

 

Movie Assignment

Remember, this month’s film review; I assign a film to watch each month—and give you a link to it; you’re invited to email in your comments—and we’ll review it on the last show of the month.  Share the link with your friends or tell them that they can find the link on the Blog section of FrontlinesOfFreedom.com.

The movie for this month is: Punte’s Wheel.  You can watch it for free at: HERE

Please send me your thoughts about the movie: Denny@FrontlinesofFreedom.com

 

 

PONDERABLE

“Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.”

 

 

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Features

 

The 82nd Airborne Deploys

Early Wednesday morning, Army paratroopers in Operational Camouflage Pattern uniforms and body armor loaded planes wearing weapons, such as M4A1 carbines, slung securely across their chests. Some carried overstuffed airborne rucksacks while old-timers shouldered customized versions of the Army’s Vietnam-era ALICE packs.

They were ordered to the Middle East on short notice in response to efforts by Iran-backed militia members to breach the US Embassy in Baghdad. The deployment also served as the debut of a revamped crisis response capability.

This is “the first time” Fort Bragg’s 82nd Airborne Division has conducted an emergency deployment as part of the new Immediate Response Force — a new, joint construct the unit began transitioning to last year, 82nd spokesman Lt. Col. Mike Burns told Military.com.

“It’s no longer the Global Response Force; the joint force has re-designated it as the IRF, the Immediate Response Force,” Burns said, saying nine years had passed since the rapid-deployment unit deployed paratroopers on a short-notice operation in 2010 to provide emergency relief to earthquake victims in Haiti.

The new IRF construct is designed to provide the 82nd and other XVIII Airborne Corps units with more enabler units for increased capabilities, Burns said.

Read More HERE

 

 

 

Russia vs US Cyber Command

Military cyber officials are developing information warfare tactics that could be deployed against senior Russian officials and oligarchs if Moscow tries to interfere in the 2020 US elections through hacking election systems or sowing widespread discord, according to current and former US officials.

One option being explored by US Cyber Command would target senior leadership and Russian elites, though likely not President Vladimir Putin, which would be considered too provocative, said the current and former officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the issue’s sensitivity. The idea would be to show that the target’s sensitive, personal data could be hit if the interference did not stop, though officials declined to be more specific.

“When the Russians put implants into an electric grid, it means they’re making a credible showing that they have the ability to hurt you if things escalate,” said Bobby Chesney, a law professor at the University of Texas at Austin. “What may be contemplated here is an individualized version of that, not unlike individually targeted economic sanctions. It’s sending credible signals to key decision-makers that they are vulnerable if they take certain adversarial actions.”

Cyber Command and officials at the Pentagon declined to comment.

The military has long used psychological operations – dropping hundreds of thousands of leaflets in Iraq, for instance, to persuade Iraqi soldiers to surrender to the US-led coalition during the Gulf War. But the Internet, social media and smartphones have vastly extended the reach and precision of such tactics.

The development comes as numerous agencies within the Trump administration seek to ensure the US is shielded against foreign efforts to disrupt the 2020 elections, even as President Trump himself has cast doubt on or belittled his own intelligence community’s finding of Russian interference in 2016.

The intelligence community last November issued a classified update – a “national intelligence estimate” – assessing that Russia’s main goal in the 2020 campaign continues to be to sow discord. “It’s always been about exacerbating fault lines in our society,” said one senior US official.

Read More HERE

 

 

 

The Pensacola Shootings

On December 6, a Saudi pilot trainee shot and killed 3 American sailors & wounded 8 other people in a mass shooting at the Navy’s premier pilot training base in Pensacola, Florida.  That should no longer shock us. The spectacle of a Moslem killing innocent people in Europe or the US has become, if not an everyday occurrence, one we see with depressing regularity. What is shocking, or should be, was the response, or lack thereof.  Why, on a military base, did people have to wait until sheriff’s deputies arrived to take out the shooter? If our military cannot defend itself, how can it hope to defend our country?

The reason was not a lack of courage on the part of our sailors.  One of those killed, Ensign Kaleb Watson, a recent Annapolis graduate, did what every man should do in an active shooter situation: he attacked the gunman, saving the lives of others in the process.  According to the December 9 New York Times, he had previously told his parents that if confronted with an active shooter, “I’m going in full force.”  He did exactly that. Airman Haithim, who also died, reportedly did the same.

But with all these military men around, why did no one just shoot the Moslem gunman? Because, as the December 7 NY Times wrote, “Weapons are not allowed on the base other than for security personnel.”  In other words, we do not trust American sailors to carry guns.

The reason, I’m sure, is “safety”.  Well, war is dangerous. If you’re looking for safety, join the Salvation Army.  A case might be made that letting the most junior servicemen carry weapons on base could result in some of them shooting themselves in the foot (remember, their generation can’t stop their thumbs from moving, even if said thumb is on safety).  But why is it not routine for staff NCOs and officers to carry pistols? A sidearm, whether sword or pistol (even swords would be better for confronting a gunman than bare hands) are traditionally a sign of an officer’s or staff NCO’s authority.  So, for the latter, is a spontoon, a short spear. And yes, the guns should be loaded. As a Marine friend of mine said recently, “An unloaded gun is just a stick.”

The facts in this article are good; the conclusions—not so much.

Read More HERE

 

 

 

A Canadian on Gun Control

Outside of the US, no other nation really has anything akin to the Second Amendment. Other nations may pay lip service to the right to keep and bear arms, but they always justify limits on that right. No one really has our protections.

The country that I’d have said was closest, at least until recently, was our neighbor to the north. Canadians have a vibrant gun culture, a love of hunting, and a great many have an appreciation for AR-15s and similar rifles.

Now, all that is changing, but a recent op-ed really nails the attitude toward gun owners by anti-gunners, not just in Canada but here as well.

The progressive dislike of handguns and certain kinds of rifles in Canada isn’t a public policy issue. It’s an ideological preference. Millions of Canadians do not understand how tight our laws already are, how they could be reasonably improved, have no interest in shooting sports and cannot fathom why anyone would feel differently. They’d rather live in a country with fewer guns. For a brief moment last year, there was a news story that gave their cause ammunition, but even when that story was completely debunked, the focus on legal guns remained. This isn’t about gun control. It’s dislike for guns and gun owners.

Read More HERE

 

 

 

Worse than Govt Gun-Grabs in Virginia

If you haven’t been at least monitoring what is going on in VA regarding State Government actions to negate 2d Amendment Rights by making owning and training others how to use guns a felony, then you need start watching. Huge percentages of counties are declaring themselves Sanctuaries for 2d Amendment and large numbers of towns are also doing the same. Published articles by members of National Guard make it clear the Guard will not follow orders to search for and seize guns from citizens.

Given this much public protest, I would think that the next step is to start a recall effort against all those politicians that came up with and supports the anti-2nd Amendment laws, etc.

The Anti-gun folks are upset, too.  This will be interesting to watch.

Read More HERE

Check out the Virginia Citizens Defense League (VCDL).

https://vcdl.org/

 

 

 

Taliban Cease Fire

The Taliban said they have agreed to a temporary cease-fire nationwide. It provides a window during which a peace agreement with the US could be signed.

A peace deal would allow Washington to bring home its troops from Afghanistan and end its 18-year military engagement there, America’s longest. The US wants any deal to include a promise from the Taliban that Afghanistan would not used as a base by terrorist groups. We currently has an estimated 12,000 troops in Afghanistan.

The Taliban chief must approve the agreement but that is expected. The duration of the cease-fire was not specified but it is being suggested it would last for 10 days.

The Taliban officials familiar with the negotiations spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to the media.

A key pillar of the agreement, which the US and Taliban have been hammering out for more than a year, is direct negotiations between Afghans on both sides of the conflict.

Read More HERE

 

 

 

Hard Luck Automotive Services

A former Army paratrooper and helicopter mechanic, Adam Ely developed asthma, hearing loss and post-traumatic stress syndrome in Afghanistan, where he served for four years. Since 2007, he has received federal financial assistance, which supplemented the paychecks he earned as a civilian aircraft mechanic once he returned home.

Because his wife Toni is still working as a B-52 bomber program manager at Tinker Air Force Base, they decided they would be able to get by financially if Adam left his job to focus on Hard Luck Auto.

“It made sense to us,” said Adam Ely, who taught himself to repair cars as a hobby when he was younger.

“When I first started fixing cars for free, it was in my spare time when I wasn’t working on aircraft,” he said. “But it wasn’t long before my days off were busier than my days on the job. It was obvious to me that people were in need of some help.”

The Elys have always owned reliable cars, and they live in a cozy three-bedroom, two-bath log cabin on several acres, he said.

Read More HERE
 

 

The Battle of the Bulge

Seventy-five years ago, at the Battle of the Bulge (fought from Dec. 16, 1944, to Jan. 25, 1945), the US suffered more casualties than in any other battle in its history. Some 19,000 Americans were killed, 47,500 wounded and 23,000 reported missing.

The American and British armies were completely surprised by a last-gasp German offensive, given that Allied forces were near the Rhine River and ready to cross into Germany to finish off a crippled Third Reich.

The Americans had been exhausted by a rapid 300-mile summer advance to free much of France and Belgium. In their complacence, they oddly did not worry much about their thinning lines, often green replacement troops or the still-formidable Germany army. After all, Nazi Germany was being battered on all sides by Americans, British, Canadians and Russians. Its cities were in ruins from heavy bombers.

Yet the losing side is often the most dangerous just before its collapse.

In retreat, the Germans were shortening their interior lines. They had the element of surprise, given confident allies who assumed the war would soon be over.

Read More HERE

 

 

 

The State of Virginia vs The Second Amendment

Virginia Governor Ralph Northam apologized for his medical school blackface stunt, but he will have much more to apologize for if he signs into law a bill that attacks Virginia citizens’ Second Amendment rights.

The measure is Senate Bill 16, which would ban “assault” firearms and certain firearm magazines. Since Democrats have seized control of Virginia’s General Assembly, they are likely to push hard for strict gun control laws.

Those laws will have zero impact on Virginia’s criminals and a heavy impact on Virginia’s law-abiding citizens who own, or intend to own, semi-automatic weapons for hunting or their protection.

As a friend once explained to me, “I carry a gun because I can’t carry a cop.”

I am proud of my fellow Virginians’ response to the attack on their Second Amendment rights.

Firearm owners in the state have joined with sheriffs to form Second Amendment sanctuary counties.

That means local authorities will be required to protect Second Amendment rights in the face of any attempt by Virginia’s General Assembly to abrogate those rights. Eighty-six counties — over 90% — in the Virginia commonwealth have adopted Second Amendment sanctuary resolutions. Spotsylvania County’s board of supervisors voted unanimously to approve a resolution declaring that county police will not enforce state-level gun laws that violate Second Amendment rights.

Sheriff Chad Cubbage said, “Be it be known that the Page Sheriff hereby declares Page County, Virginia, as a ‘Second Amendment Sanctuary,’ and that the Page County Sheriff hereby declares its intent to oppose any infringement on the right of law-abiding citizens to keep and bear arms.”

Culpeper County Sheriff Scott Jenkins made a vow during a board of supervisors meeting, where the board unanimously agreed to declare the county a Second Amendment constitutional county, to “properly screen and deputize thousands of our law-abiding citizens to protect their constitutional right to own firearms.”

Read More HERE

 

 

 

A Mass-Shooting in a Church—ALMOST

Two people are dead and one is in critical condition after a gunman opened fire during service this morning at the West Freeway Church of Christ in White Settlement, Texas.

The shooting was caught during a live internet stream of the church service (the streamed video on YouTube has since been taken down). A man dressed in a black trench coat with a hood jumped up and started shooting members of the church.

Luckily, at least five armed members of the church instantly responded and jumped into action as soon as the shooting started. Within three seconds of the first shot, one member shot the shooter and killed him before he could harm more people.

Read More HERE

 

 

 

USS Abraham Lincoln Head Home – At Last

More than nine months after embarking on what was supposed to be a seven-month round-the-world deployment, the aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln is finally on course for its new home port of San Diego.

The ship, which has been operating in and around the Middle East since May, left the region in mid-December and is bound for home.

When the carrier left Norfolk, Virginia, on April 1, its crew knew it was in for a deployment that was outside the norm. Not only was it deploying to the Middle East, but it also was switching home ports from the East Coast to the West, originally due in San Diego around Halloween. Many Lincoln family members moved across the country over the summer — without the help of their sailors — in order for children to start school in time for the new school year.

World events — and maintenance issues on another carrier — led to the ship’s mission being extended well beyond its original return date.

In August, the aircraft carrier Harry S. Truman, which was slated to replace the Lincoln in the Middle East, experienced an electrical failure that resulted in an extra three months of repairs. The Lincoln would need to remain on station until relieved.

The delay came at a time of heightened tensions with Iran and a subsequent boost of military resources in the region.

Read More HERE

 

 

 

A Real Hero

Robert Howard served five tours in Vietnam in the US Army.  On three separate occasions he was nominated for the Medal of Honor.

Watch the Video HERE

 

 

 

3D Printing saving our Military Billions

In my job, I get to see some amazing military technology: high-speed weapons that penetrate seemingly impregnable defenses and swarming microdrones dispensed from fighter jets. I keep mementos of these wonder weapons in my office. Something unusual just joined their ranks: a latrine panel from a C-5 Supergalaxy cargo plane.

It’s an odd-looking piece of molded plastic, about the size of a toaster, and its job containing wastewater is more necessary than cool. But I keep it in my office because it represents a significant advance in military parts purchasing. Using a 3D printer, our Air Force engineers made this latrine panel for $300, saving $8,200 compared to the open market prices we once paid through the Defense Logistics Agency.

Though our military is replete with cutting-edge equipment like stealth aircraft and flying emergency rooms, there’s a side of weapons-buying that’s highlighted less often: the maintenance of older systems, like the amazing C-5 cargo plane. The C-5, which entered service in 1969, moves the military’s heaviest equipment, including tanks and helicopters, and must be kept war-ready 24-7.

Read More HERE

 

 

 

Iraq is Not Attacking Iran-backed Groups in Iraq

US airstrikes against an Iranian-backed militia group were the direct result of the Baghdad government’s failure to act against repeated attacks on American bases in Iraq, US officials said.

In unusually harsh wording aimed at an ally in the fight against the Islamic State, three top State Department officials, speaking on background in a briefing to reporters, said that we had no choice but to hit back at the Kata’ib Hezbollah (KH) militia when Iraq’s security forces took no action following at least 11 attacks on US bases in the last two months.

“We have warned the Iraqi government many times and we’ve shared information with them to try to work with them to carry out their responsibility to protect us as their invited guests,” one official said.

The turning point came when a barrage of more than 30 rockets hit a US base near Kirkuk in north-central Iraq, killing an American contractor and wounding four US troops, the officials said.

Read More HERE

 

 

 

General PX Kelley Died at 91

Gen. Paul X. Kelley, the 28th commandant of the Marine Corps, died in December at age 91, according to current Commandant Gen. David H. Berger.

“We should honor Gen Kelley’s lifetime of service to the Corps and to the nation,” Berger said on Twitter. “From his service in Vietnam, to leading our Corps through the Beirut bombing aftermath, Gen Kelley served with honor and distinction.”

Kelley, a Boston native and 1950 graduate of Villanova University, served as commandant from 1983 to 1987. capping a 37-year career in the military.

In Vietnam, Kelley earned a Silver Star, the Legion of Merit with Valor device, and two Bronze Stars with Valor device. From 1970 to 1971, he commanded the 1st Marines.

As a civilian, he served as chairman of the American Battle Monuments Commission.

I met General Kelley when he became the first (and only) commander of the Rapid Deployment Task Force—a sub-command of US Readiness Command.  I was the Middle East war planner for USREDCOM and worked with the RDJTF.  When Gen Kelley traveled, I was normally with him.  To make an understatement, he was an outstanding military man and an outstanding human being.

After we both retired, we both got politically active.  When Bob Dole ran for President, Gen Kelley was one of his spokesmen, and I chaired Veterans for Dole in Michigan.  Mrs. Dole was speaking at an event in Detroit and Gen Kelley was also speaking.  The event was held at a Marine Corps League facility and was packed. I was to introduce the general.  I said a number to true things about this amazing man.  I concluded with at statement to the effect that, if there was such a thing as reincarnation, that Gen Kelley was good enough to come back next time and be in the Army.  Needless to say, the crowd went wild.

General Kelley nailed me later.  I will miss that great American.  God bless his family.

 

 

 

10 Odd Jobs of WWII

Today’s military has some jobs that might surprise you — for example, did you know the Army and Marine Corps have instrument repair technicians? These troops repair musical instruments for the military bands.

But during WWII, there were a lot of jobs that would seem strange in today’s technologically focused military. Over the course of the war, technological advances reduced or eliminated the need for many manual occupations. This transition is captured in the War Department’s list of military jobs from 1944, where entries like ”horse artillery driver” appear just a page away from ”remote control turret repairman.”

Read More HERE

 

 

 

God Loves Us

Scott McChrystal is a retired Army Colonel, Chaplain.  Here are some of his insights that I think you’ll find appropriate.

Overcome the Fear Factor in 2020

For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. 2 Timothy 1:7 (ESV)

As 2020 begins, let me ask you a question? Has it been your experience in past years to set a bunch of New Year’s resolutions, only to find that at the end of the year not much has changed?

If “yes” is your answer, please don’t feel alone in this. Many, if not most folks, have that same kind of track record. I can certainly identify.

What to do? As I have asked the Lord for wisdom to do better with resolutions/goals this year He surprised me. I was expecting a bunch of tips along the lines of setting priorities, establishing realistic goals, or simply having more faith. That didn’t happen. Instead, He has impressed upon my heart to deal with my fears. Fears? Really? I thought I was asking Him about how to set goals and get things done.

The more I’ve thought it, the more I realize that fear does undercut efforts to accomplish goals or to fulfill resolutions. One of my biggest fears is not having enough time. Even on small stuff like taking time to keep my desk area clean and organized, I have usually chosen to put off doing it because “I didn’t have the time.”

I’ve read 2 Timothy 1:7 over and over in an effort to apply this truth to my fear of not having enough time- For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

“Ok, Lord. I know you haven’t given me a spirit of fear. I know that to be true. Please help me take some steps toward overcoming this fear about use of time.”

Back to a simple issue like keeping my desk area clean. Applying 2 Timothy 1:7, I took the time to clean and reorganize my desk area. Amazingly enough, it only took about 90 minutes. Since doing that a few days ago, I find that I have more time to do other tasks because I know where things are and don’t waste time looking for stuff.

This may sound like a very small issue, but to me it wasn’t. I have felt a weight lifted off.

You might want to take this verse and apply it to your fears.

•    You want to lose weight but you’re afraid to try because you’ve failed so many times
•    You would like to look for a better job but you’re afraid to try for fear of being rejected
•    You want to spend fewer hours at work and give more time to your family- but you’re afraid you’ll fail at work
•    You have something wrong physically but you’re afraid to go to the doctor for fear that you might get bad news
•    You are tortured by some relationship issue, but won’t go to that person because you are afraid of conflict

My friend, God hasn’t given us a spirit of fear, but rather a spirit of power, love, and self-control. I encourage you to take the first step by confronting your fear and taking action toward fulfilling a particular goal or New Year’s resolution. Don’t try to conquer everything at once- one at a time.

God will surely help you overcome your fears.

 

 

 

Wise Words

Retired Navy CAPT Joe John has done many things in his life; I’ve asked him to share a few words of wisdom with us:

 

 

 

Civil War History

Here are some questions on the Civil War; we’ll post the answers in the next newsletter.

 

Here are the answers to the last issue’s questions:

1.Robert E. Lee was a graduate of what college?  The US Military Academy at West Point

2. Lee was offered command of what army—but he declined it?  President Lincoln offered him command of the Union Army—but Lee’s loyalty to his state caused him to decline.

3.Where did Lee stand on slavery (for or against)?  Lee opposed slavery.

 

Here are the new questions:

1. In what major battle were two Confederate generals killed who were buried in the same cemetery?

2. Who were they?                                                                                                                   

3. In what cemetery are they buried?                                                                                                                 

 

 

 

Military Music

You’re in the Army Now

Watch the Video HERE

 

 

 

Frontlines of Freedom Gear

If you’d like to have a Frontlines of Freedom shirt or hat or whatever, we do have it for you.  Check our store at   http://fof.logoshop.com/

 

 

 

Two quotes to consider.

Hard pressed on my right. My center is yielding. Impossible to maneuver. Situation excellent. I am attacking.
Ferdinand Foch at the Battle of the Marne

There is only one tactical principle which is not subject to change. It is to use the means at hand to inflict the maximum amount of wound, death, and destruction on the enemy in the minimum amount of time.
General George S. Patton Jr.

 

 

 

Programming:  You’ll want to tune into the show (live or by podcast).

11-17 Jan: Congressman and retired Marine General Jack Bergman will discuss the Iran situation.  Then retired Navy Capt Joe John will present Combat Veterans for Congress.  Finally, Robert Frisk from the Navy Federal Credit Union will discuss finding jobs after military service.

18-24 Jan: Ilya Feoktristov will discuss his book, Terror in the Cradle of Liberty–why Boston is becoming a hub for terror.  Then Capt Dale Dye will present his book, Last Full Measure.  I’ll then Shoot the Bull with Korean War and Vietnam War veteran Ed Allander.  And Skip Coryell will discuss the book he and I will be publishing in March.

 

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Humor

The “PC” Police have registered some complaints during this past Christmas Season, so the following deletions will be taken before the end of this year.

Since several radio stations decided to pull “Baby it’s Cold Outside” from playlists because someone was offended, these other holiday songs must also be removed as they are potentially offensive as well. Egads!

1. I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus: subjecting minors to softcore porn

2. The Christmas Song: Open fire? Pollution. Folks dressed up like Eskimos? Cultural appropriation

3. Holly Jolly Christmas: Kiss her once for me? Unwanted advances

4. White Christmas? Racist

5. Santa Claus is Coming to Town: Sees you when you’re sleeping? Knows when you’re awake? Peeping Tom stalker

6. Most Wonderful Time of the Year: Everyone telling you be of good cheer? Forced to hide depression

7. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: Bullying

8. It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas: Forced gender-specific gifts: dolls for Janice and Jen and boots and pistols (GUNS!) for Barney and Ben

9. Santa Baby: Gold digger, blackmail

10. Frosty the Snowman: Sexist; not a snow woman

11. Do You Hear What I Hear: blatant disregard for the hearing impaired

12. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas: Make the yuletide GAY? Wow, just wow

13. Jingle Bell Rock: Giddy up jingle horse, pick up your feet: animal abuse

14. Mistletoe and Holly: Overeating, folks stealing a kiss or two? How did this song ever see the light of day?

15. Winter Wonderland: Parson Brown demanding they get married…forced partnership

 

 

 

 

Listen to Frontlines of Freedom every week on these great radio stations:


Station Freq. Band City State Day(s) Time(s) Time
Zone
WANI 1400 AM Auburn AL Saturdays 9pm-11pm CT
WANI 98.7 FM Auburn / Opelika AL Saturdays 9pm-11pm CT
WKUL 92.1 FM Cullman AL Sundays 8pm-10pm CT
WKUL 97.9 FM Cullman AL Sundays 8pm-10pm CT
WFPA 1400 AM Fort Payne AL Saturdays 10am-12pm CT
WACV 93.1 FM Montgomery AL Sundays 11am-1pm CT
KVNT 1020 AM Anchorage AK Saturdays 8am-10am AKT
KVNT 92.5 FM Anchorage AK Saturdays 8am-10am AKT
KDJI 1270 AM Holbrook AZ Sundays 1pm-3pm MST
KVWM 970 AM Show Low AZ Sundays 1pm-3pm MST
KURM 100.3 FM Fayetteville / Gravette AR Saturdays 3pm-5pm CT
KURM 790 AM Fayetteville / Rogers AR Saturdays 3pm-5pm CT
KFPW 1230 AM Fort Smith AR Sundays 3pm-5pm CT
KFPW 96.7 FM Fort Smith AR Sundays 3pm-5pm CT
KDXE 101.1 FM Little Rock AR Saturdays 5pm-7pm CT
KUHL 106.3 FM Los Alamos CA Saturdays 10am-12pm PT
KPRL 1230 AM Paso Robles CA Saturdays 2pm-4pm PT
KCNR 1460 AM Redding CA Sundays 5pm-6pm PT
KNCO 830 AM Sacramento CA Sundays 4pm-6pm PT
KVTA 1590 AM Santa Barbara CA Sundays 8:30am-9am PT
KUHL 1440 AM Santa Maria CA Saturdays 10am-12pm PT
KRDO 1240 AM Colorado Springs CO Sundays 9pm-11pm MT
KRDO 105.5 FM Colorado Springs CO Sundays 9pm-11pm MT
KRFD 100.1 FM Fleming CO Sundays 10am-12pm MT
WGCH 1490 AM Stamford / Norwalk CT Saturdays 7pm-8pm ET
WGMD 92.7 FM Rehoboth Beach DE Sundays 4pm-6pm ET
WWRC 570 AM Washington DC Saturdays 4pm-6pm ET
WYOO 101.1 FM Panama City FL Saturdays 4pm-6pm CT
WLSS 930 AM Sarasota / Bradenton FL Saturdays 2pm-4pm ET
WLSS 93.7 FM Sarasota / Bradenton FL Saturdays 2pm-4pm ET
WLSS 103.1 FM Sarasota / Bradenton FL Saturdays 2pm-4pm ET
WGUL 860 AM Tampa / St. Petersburg FL Sundays 1am-3am ET
WGKA 920 AM Atlanta GA Sundays 11pm-1am ET
KUSG 1350 AM Agana GU Sundays 9pm-11pm CT
KUSG 93.3 FM Agana GU Sundays 9pm-11pm CT
KUSG 104.3 HD3 FM Agana GU Sundays 9pm-11pm CT
KBAR 1230 AM Burley / Twin Falls ID Saturdays 4pm-6pm MT
KBRV 92.7 FM Montpelier ID Sundays 3pm-5pm MT
KBRV 800 AM Soda Springs ID Sundays 3pm-5pm MT
WRPW 92.9 FM Bloomington IL Sundays 5am-6am CT
WRTL 1610 AM Carbondale IL Saturdays 9pm-11pm CT
WJIL 1550 AM Jacksonville IL Sundays 11pm-12am CT
WTRH 93.3 FM Ramsey IL Saturdays 5am-6am &
10pm-11pm
ET
WFDM 95.9 FM Indianapolis / Franklin IN Saturdays 10pm-12am ET
WXLW 950 AM Indianapolis IN Saturdays 10pm-12am ET
WSHY 1410 AM Lafayette IN Sundays 6am-8am ET
WSHY 104.3 FM Lafayette IN Sundays 6am-8am ET
KRMR 105.7 FM Hays KS Sundays 10pm-12am CT
KNNS 1510 AM Larned KS Sundays 10pm-12am CT
KSCB 1270 AM Liberal KS Sundays 4pm-6pm CT
KSAL 1150 AM Wichita / Salina KS Sundays 5am-7am CT
KKLE 1550 AM Wichita / Winfield KS Saturdays 4pm-6pm CT
WZXI 1280 AM Lancaster KY Saturdays 11am-1pm ET
WZXI 94.1 FM Lancaster KY Saturdays 11am-1pm ET
WZXI 95.5 FM Lancaster KY Saturdays 11am-1pm ET
WVLK 590 AM Lexington KY Sundays 2pm-4pm ET
WVLK 97.3 FM Lexington KY Sundays 2pm-4pm ET
WCAP 980 AM Lowell MA Wednesdays 6pm-7pm ET
WBCK 95.3 FM Battle Creek MI Saturdays 6pm-8pm ET
WBRN 1460 AM Big Rapids MI Saturdays
Sundays
7pm-9pm
12pm-2pm
ET
WBRN 107.7 FM Big Rapids MI Saturdays
Sundays
7pm-9pm
12pm-2pm
ET
WDTK 1400 AM Detroit MI Saturdays 11pm-1am ET
WDTK 101.5 FM Detroit MI Saturdays 11pm-1am ET
WOOD 1300 AM Grand Rapids MI Sundays 8pm-10pm ET
WOOD 106.9 FM Grand Rapids /
Muskegon
MI Sundays 8pm-10pm ET
WGRY 101.1 FM Grayling MI Sundays 7am-9am ET
WKZO 590 AM Kalamazoo MI Sundays 8am-9am ET
WKZO 106.9 FM Kalamazoo MI Sundays 8am-9am ET
WILS 1320 AM Lansing MI Sundays 12am-1am ET
WYPV 94.5 FM Mackinaw City MI Saturdays 8pm-10pm ET
WJML 1110 AM Petoskey MI Saturdays 8pm-10pm ET
WHAK 960 AM Rogers City MI Saturdays 8pm-10pm ET
WIOS 1480 AM Tawas City MI Sundays 4am-6am ET
WIOS 106.9 FM Tawas City MI Sundays 4am-6am ET
WWMN 106.3 FM Thompsonville MI Saturdays 8pm-10pm ET
WJNL 1210 AM Traverse City MI Saturdays 8pm-10pm ET
WJNL 101.1 FM Traverse City MI Saturdays 8pm-10pm ET
WPNW 1260 AM Zeeland MI Saturdays 3pm-4pm ET
WPNW 96.5 FM Zeeland MI Saturdays 3pm-4pm ET
WPNW 98.9 FM Zeeland MI Saturdays 3pm-4pm ET
KAUS 1480 AM Austin MN Sundays 4pm-6pm CT
KBRF 1250 AM Fergus Falls MN Saturdays
Fridays
6pm-8pm
9am-10am
CT
KNSI 1450 AM Saint Cloud MN Saturdays 6pm-8pm CT
KNSI 99.3 FM Saint Cloud MN Saturdays 6pm-8pm CT
KWNO 1230 AM Winona MN Saturdays 5am-7am CT
KWNO 98.7 FM Winona MN Saturdays 5am-7am CT
WJNT 1180 AM Jackson MS Sundays 5am-7am CT
WJNT 96.9 FM Jackson MS Sundays 5am-7am CT
KZIM 960 AM Cape Girardeau MO Saturdays 7pm-9pm CT
KZYM 1230 AM Joplin MO Saturdays 4pm-6pm CT
KXFN 1380 AM St. Louis MO Sundays 5am-7am CT
KXFN 105.3 FM St. Louis MO Sundays 5am-7am CT
KSIM 1400 AM Sikeston MO Saturdays 7pm-9pm CT
KSIM 101.7 FM Sikeston MO Saturdays 7pm-9pm CT
KYYA 730 AM Billings MT Saturdays 6am-8am MT
KINX 102.7 FM Great Falls MT Sundays 4am-6am MT
KCAP 950 AM Helena MT Sundays 11am-1pm MT
KCAP 95.9 FM Helena MT Sundays 11am-1pm MT
WSMN 1590 AM Nashua-Manchester NH Saturdays 12pm-1pm ET
KRSY 1230 AM Alamogordo NM Sundays 10pm-11pm MT
KENN 1390 AM Farmington NM Saturdays 6am-7am MT
KENN 92.1 FM Farmington NM Saturdays 6am-7am MT
WENI 1450 AM Corning NY Saturdays
Sundays
8pm-10pm
5am-7am
ET
WENY 1230 AM Elmira NY Saturdays
Sundays
8pm-10pm
5am-7am
ET
WIBX 950 AM Utica-Rome NY Sundays 6am-8am ET
WLOE 1490 AM Eden NC Saturdays 10am-12pm ET
WMYN 1420 AM Mayodan NC Saturdays 10am-12pm ET
WNOS 1450 AM New Bern NC Saturdays 6am-8am
6pm-8pm
ET
WNOS 93.7 FM New Bern NC Saturdays 6am-8am
6pm-8pm
ET
KLXX 1270 AM Bismark ND Saturdays 5am-7am CT
WZFG 1100 AM Fargo ND Saturdays 9pm-11pm CT
KTGO 1090 AM Tioga ND Sundays 5am-7am CT
KWON 1400 AM Bartlesville OK Sundays 6pm-8pm CT
KWON 93.3 FM Bartlesville OK Sundays 6pm-8pm CT
KCLI 99.3 FM Cordell OK Sundays 6am-8am CT
KZLS 1640 AM Enid OK Saturdays 6pm-8pm CT
KNAH 97.7 HD4 FM Mustang OK Saturdays 6pm-8pm CT
KOKC 1520 AM Oklahoma City OK Saturdays
Sundays
4pm-5pm
8am-10am
CT
KOKC 95.3 FM Oklahoma City OK Saturdays
Sundays
4pm-5pm
8am-10am
CT
KFIR 720 AM Eugene / Springfield OR Saturdays
Sundays
8pm-10pm
11am-12pm
PT
KFLS 1450 AM Klamath Falls OR Sundays 6pm-8pm PT
KFLS 102.5 FM Klamath Falls OR Sundays 6pm-8pm PT
KMED 1440 AM Medford / Ashland OR Sundays 6pm-8pm PT
KMED 106.7 FM Medford / Ashland OR Sundays 6pm-8pm PT
KBNP 1410 AM Portland OR Saturdays 11pm-1am PT
KSLM 1220 AM Salem OR Sundays 9am-11am PT
KSLM 104.3 FM Salem OR Sundays 9am-11am PT
WJET 1400 AM Erie PA Saturdays 6am-8am ET
WJET 96.7 FM Erie PA Sundays 11am-1pm ET
WEJS 1600 AM Jersey Shore PA Saturdays 10am-11am ET
WEJS 104.1 FM Williamsport PA Saturdays 10am-11am ET
WTQS 1490 AM Cameron SC Saturdays 1pm-3pm ET
WQXL 1470 AM Columbia SC Saturdays 1pm-3pm ET
WQXL 100.7 FM Columbia SC Saturdays 1pm-3pm ET
WLFJ 660 AM Greenville-Spartanburg SC Sundays 3pm-4pm ET
WLFJ 92.9 FM Greenville-Spartanburg SC Sundays 3pm-4pm ET
WLSC 1240 AM Loris SC Saturdays
Sundsy
5am-6am
5am-6am
ET
WRNN 99.5 FM Myrtle Beach SC Saturdays 5am-6am ET
WTQS 97.1 FM Orangeburg SC Saturdays 1pm-3pm ET
KOTA 1380 AM Rapid City SD Saturdays 7am-7:30am CT
KOTA 100.7 FM Myrtle Beach SD 7am-7:30am 5am-6am CT
WBCR 1470 AM Alcoa TN Sunday 7pm-9pm CT
WGOW 1150 AM Chattanooga TN Sunday 2pm-4pm ET
WGOW 102.3 FM Chattanooga TN Saturday
Sunday
2pm-4pm
2pm-4pm
ET
WVWB 1400 AM Clarksville TN Saturday 11am-12pm CT
WCLE 101.3 FM Cleveland TN Sunday 8pm-9pm ET
WCLE 1570 AM Cleveland TN Sunday 8pm-9pm ET
WGRV 1340 AM Greeneville TN Saturdays 10pm-12am ET
WGRV 95.5 FM Greeneville TN Saturdays 10pm-12am ET
WGRV 99.5 FM Greeneville TN Saturdays 10pm-12am ET
WETB 790 AM Johnson City TN Saturdays 8pm-10pm CT
WETR 760 AM Knoxville TN Monday 3am-5am ET
WETR 92.3 FM Knoxville TN Monday 3am-5am ET
KWAM 990 AM Memphis TN Saturdays 1am-3am CT
KWAM 107.9 FM Memphis TN Saturdays 1am-3am CT
KACT 1360 AM Andrews TX Sundays 7pm-8pm CT
KJCE 1370 AM Austin TX Saturdays 9pm-11pm CT
KBST 1490 AM Big Spring TX Sundays 5pm-7pm CT
KRNH 102.1 FM Fredericksburg TX Sundays 7pm-9pm CT
KNTH 1070 AM Houston TX Saturdays 10pm-12am CT
KNTH 103.3 FM Houston TX Saturdays 10pm-12am CT
KRNH 92.3 HD2 FM Kerrville TX Sundays 7pm-9pm CT
KRNH 104.3 FM Kerrville TX Sundays 7pm-9pm CT
KJJT 98.5 FM Lamesa TX Saturdays 1pm-32pm CT
KLVT 1230 AM Levelland TX Saturdays 3pm-4pm CT
KJDL 1420 AM Lubbock TX Saturdays 5am-7am CT
KJDL 98.7 FM Lubbock TX Saturdays 5am-7am CT
KURV 710 AM McAllen TX Saturdays 5pm-7pm CT
WCHV 107.5 FM Chatlottesville VA Saturdays 8pm-10pm ET
WCHV 1260 AM Chatlottesville VA Saturdays 8pm-10pm ET
WHEE 1370 AM Martinsville VA Saturdays 4pm-6pm ET
WMVA 1450 AM Martinsville VA Saturdays 4pm-6pm ET
WBLB 1340 AM Pulaski VA Saturdays 3pm-4pm ET
WBLB 107.5 FM Pulaski VA Saturdays 3pm-4pm ET
WFJX 910 AM Roanoke VA Sundays 6am-7am ET
WFJX 104.3 FM Roanoke VA Sundays 6am-7am ET
KXLE 1240 AM Ellensburg WA Saturdays 4pm-6pm PT
KBDB 96.7 HD3 FM Forks WA Sundays 9am-11am PT
KFLD 870 AM Pasco WA Sundays 4pm-5pm PT
KTTH 770 AM Seattle WA Saturdays
Sundays
Sundays
Sundays
Sundays
4pm-5pm
5am-6am
12pm-2pm
4pm-5pm
9pm-11pm
PT
KSBN 1230 AM Spokane WA Sundays 5am-6am PT
KKWN 106.7 FM Wenatchee WA Saturdays 6pm-8pm PT
KWNC 1370 AM Wenatchee WA Saturdays 6pm-8pm PT
WCHS 580 AM Charleston WV Saturdays
Sundays
2am-4am
10pm-12am
ET
WCHS 96.5 FM Charleston WV Saturdays
Sundays
2am-4am
10pm-12am
ET
WOSH 1490 AM Oshkosh WI Sundays 4pm-6pm CT
KWNO 1230 AM La Crosse WI Saturdays 5am-7am CT
KVOW 1450 AM Riverton WY Sundays 1pm-3pm MT

Please visit our website athttp://www.frontlinesoffreedom.com

denny gillim
I would like to hear from you about people and stories you would like to have me cover in upcoming e-newsletters, or on the show

It is our mission to get to know the people that are supporting us, so please be sure to add a picture with your message. Please encourage other like-minded folks to do the same–especially those presently serving in our nation’s military. If you know someone who would like to start receiving this e-newsletter, they can sign up on the homepage of our website.

Sincerely,

Lt. Col. Denny Gillem (Ret.)
Host, Frontlines of Freedom

denny@frontlinesoffreedom.com
(616) 432-9949