Tuesday, November 27, 2012

US Marines Support Breastfeeding Service Members


OCEANSIDE, CA – A pair of breastfeeding airmen outside the infantry barracks at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton “aren’t fooling anyone,” according to Gunnery Sergeant Leon Rashaun of 1st Battalion 4th Marines.

The mothers, Senior Airman Rebecca Henderson and Airman First Class Emily Rowe, who are normally stationed at Edwards Air Force Base, have been coming by every day for the past two months, which, according to Gunny Rashaun, “is exactly how long both their husbands have been deployed overseas.”

Both women waved at the Gunnery Sergeant, prompting him to give a forced smile through gritted teeth.

Senior Airman Henderson then asked if Alpha Company had come back from their field operation yet.

Airman First Class Rowe then laughed and reminded her that Alpha Company had been in the field last week and Charlie Company was out this week.

“I’m just so happy to be out here with my son Seth,” Senior Airman Henderson said, nursing her infant in front of a large crowd of Marines.

“The Marines here have been so supportive, asking if they can carry my son’s diaper bag, help burp him, massage my shoulders, that sort of thing.”

“We’re totally supportive of all the young mothers around here,” said Sergeant Nathan Devine, also of 1st Battalion 4th Marines. “It can be awfully difficult for them, what with their husbands all the way in Afghanistan… so far away…”

Corporal Anthony Bugg agreed: “If they want to breastfeed in public, or just in the privacy of our barracks rooms, that’s fine with us.”

According to the American Association of Pediatrics, breastfeeding is a critical health decision, vital to the welfare of new infants, a fact repeatedly stressed by Corpsman HM3 Richard Hanson.

“New mothers need to breastfeed as often as possible, no matter how sore or tired they may be,” said HM3 Hanson.

“That’s why all our corpsmen are trained in the art of proper nipple stimulation to help them ensure that their baby gets an adequate supply of milk.”  (H/T Duffleblog)

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

A Moment of Reflection

It's Thanksgiving and time for the Thanksgiving prayer, which is the same prayer that I utter on other days:

"Lord, make me fast and accurate. Let my aim be true and my hand faster than those who would seek to destroy me. Grant me victory over my foes and those that wish to do harm to me and mine. Let not my last thought be 'If only I had a better weapon'; and Lord if today is truly the day that You call me home, let me die in a pile of expended brass."


And a bit more Metalica...

Sunday, November 18, 2012

Sunday Songs



"Unforgiven"

As you all may know by now, I'm a huge 'metal head' (I'm also a 'parrot head' - so I may have a head like a metal parrot... weird)




"Changes in Latitudes - and Why don't we Get Drunk and..."


Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Walkabout

I've been traveling. And frankly, I'm glad that I missed the US National Election (I voted absentee before I left) because it was a circus and it would have depressed me if I'd have been here to see what 'the other half' wanted in the way of good government.

But life goes on and so does an expanded interest in exporting goods from countries other than the US to destinations outside of the US. I had planned to import both mangos and avacados from Mexico to the US and was working on the business plan before the election. But with the higher taxes on business income and employee costs (taxes) that come with the 'victory', I nixed the effort. When you add 20% more in costs that the Obama Administration has promised by way of taxes, that was my profit margin.

AP item on Monday only told readers that "A record 47.1 million Americans received food stamps in August, the government said, as stubborn unemployment kept enrollment high." While I'd love to participate in feeding more people by starting businesses that generate tax revenue without making profit for me - I'm simply not that nice.


Friday, November 2, 2012

The Doll

Just a little over a week ago, my granddaughter, Alyssa, received a baby sister when my daughter underwent an emergency C-Section. Savannah, still not quite four pounds, went home yesterday. She's about the size of a doll. Alyssa calls Savannah her "new doll". 
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