OT: Pray for our troops
Well, today is the last day for OT posts. Thank goodness.
However, today I have a personal request, which actually extends out beyond me personally. If something happens to bring it to your mind, pray for those who serve in the military. (If you don't pray, well, think happy thoughts? Wish them well? Dunno.) Right now, there are 1.4 million active military, or about a half percent of our population. It is personal to me because my daughter is in the Navy, deployed on a Destroyer with the Eisenhower Carrier Group to the Persian Gulf and surrounding seas. This is how she will eventually pay to get an engineering degree. (She is an Aegis Computer Network Tech, already prepping her for some future course work).
Normally, when we communicate, it is just to talk about missing home, and some of the things they've been doing in the 120 degree weather. For instance, last month, they came on a ship full of 320 Yemeni refugees that was dead in the water, headed across the strait to Djibouti. Her destroyer provided desperately needed water and food, and in the span of 24 hours, machined new gaskets and fittings to make the diesel engine on the stranded ship operational again. They saw the dhow safely on its way, providing another dhow for escort. Things I never thought of the Navy doing.
A couple days ago, my daughter's ship was one of 2 involved when 4 Iranian Revolutionary Guard Patrol boats approached the Destroyer Nitze at a high rate of speed. Needless to say, things were tense on the ship. Two more incidents occurred yesterday with other ships. These incidents are out of the ordinary.
It reminded me that many serving in the military make significant sacrifices, and are often in danger. As regards the strait of Hormuz, the chokepoint giving access to the Persian Gulf, the actions of the patrol boats are a high stakes game of chicken. Knowing that the destroyer Cole had a huge hold blown in its side by suicide bombers in 2000 gives you pause. And those with boots on the ground nearby war zones are in much more dangerous and difficult environments.
As we end OT posts for the season, and focus on the important business of football, remember those who serve and protect our nation, giving us the freedom to enjoy things like Fall afternoons full of football.
LINK: https://news.usni.org/2016/08/24/video-destroyer-uss-nitze-harassed-iranian-patrol-boats
August 26th, 2016 at 1:24 PM ^
The title of the post is "Pray for our troops", which sounds great and all, but while were at it why don't we pray for something more inclusive like praying for everyone or praying for world peace.
August 26th, 2016 at 1:57 PM ^
That'd be good. (Praying for everyone, or praying for world peace). Three comments.
- Pray, or don't pray, as you see fit. I don't want anyone to feel constrained or manipulated into praying (or thinking happy thoughts). Go ahead and don't pray, and think crabby thoughts. Or pray and think happy thoughts. The choice is yours, and yours alone.
- I do think specific prayers are a good thing. I mean, it is great to pray for world peace, or for everyone. But in one sense, when you pray for everyone, you pray for no one.
- Ultimately, this post was selfish. I think of my daughter often. I'm very proud of her, and if I was 35 years younger, I'd be sorely tempted to follow in her footsteps. I think any Dad who sees their children in possible danger prays for their safety. But yes, this is a specific request for a specific thing. FTR, in the 8 years and 6 weeks I've been on MGoBlog, I've never requested prayer. I simply thought it was a request that might resonate with a few readers.
August 26th, 2016 at 4:31 PM ^
I think the board's reaction (and my own) would have been different had the thread title been "OT: Request for support - my daughter is in the military."
Explicityly making "Prayer" the focal point of the title inherently means that is a post about religion, and that's a no-no here. Sorry that me saying that seems to anger you, but my feelings aren't hurt, and I'm calm.
(This was a reply to burtcomma)
August 26th, 2016 at 1:00 PM ^
August 26th, 2016 at 1:24 PM ^
I can respect that. Which is why I suggested that those who don't pray can think happy thoughts or wish them well. The last thing I want to do is have debate on prayer. Regardless of religious beliefs, I think most of us can be supportive of our troops?
August 26th, 2016 at 4:23 PM ^
You say in your reply The last thing I want to do is have debate on prayer.
When you post a comment to the blog explicitly requesting prayer, (EDIT - And not just requesting it, but including that request in the title) a debate is sure to ensue. We are a diverse group of people that almost all have well informed but potentially divergent opinions, and most of us like to debate. That said, we all agree on one thing, and that thing is what this blog is for. Michigan.
August 26th, 2016 at 5:16 PM ^
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August 26th, 2016 at 2:56 PM ^
For fuck sakes, lock the thread. I mean, random people saying things on the Internet to random people make some random people feel alienated? Holy fucking shit.
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August 26th, 2016 at 12:52 PM ^
August 26th, 2016 at 12:55 PM ^
I am with you StephenR, thanks for the post. My son is a Michigan grad and a lieutenant in the USAF - members of the military are always in my prayers.
A recent letter to the editor in The Wolverine questioning the need for Military Appreciation Day at Michigan Stadium was a stark reminder that not everyone values what the men and women of our armed services do each and every day to protect our country and the freedom it stands for - including the freedom to disagree. My son is a brilliant young man who could be doing many other things, and making much more money than he his, with his Michigan Engineering degree, but he chooses to give back to his country.
God Bless America, and Go Blue!
August 26th, 2016 at 12:59 PM ^
there is starting to be some domestic backlash at how our military is used and legitimate questions being raised as to the result of such policies on our domestic and foreign interests. I don't know anybody, however, who is questioning the individual sacrifice and bravery necessary to do the job of our military troops.
August 26th, 2016 at 1:09 PM ^
Isn't that what military appreciation day is for? Not making statements against policy?
August 26th, 2016 at 1:15 PM ^
the point some people have raised is that even people who do not support the policy are being co-opted into doing so by the constant outcry for support and appreciation for troops. There are people who do not believe in what the troops are doing. I don't think those people should be afforded special "rights" but neither do I believe they should be shoe-horned to a certain degree into supporting things that they don't when the two causes are difficult to distinguish.
August 26th, 2016 at 1:14 PM ^
Yeah, I think/hope that the point of view is that these people honor their families and country by dedicating their lives to sacrifice for freedom and liberty; and the we as a people should honor them back by working to make sure that this service is in support of those sorts of high ideals.
Just like in sports where you can love the team and the instituation, but still question the decisions of an athletic director taking too many personal liberties.
Prayers for our troops and those that guide them.
August 26th, 2016 at 1:18 PM ^
I'm glad you don't know anybody like that, and if you asked the gentleman who wrote the letter, he would probably tell you he wasn't questioning the valor of anyone individually either. But he took the time to write a lengthy diatribe about how it's inappropriate to celebrate the military before a football game. He's welcome to his opinion, but there was no doubt in my mind after reading it that he takes his freedom for granted.
August 26th, 2016 at 1:24 PM ^
is the thing. Words like "freedom" and "liberty" are taken for granted in and of themselves. It is a shortcut for politicians to gather support for its foreign policy actions. The words themselves need closer examination as do the actions and decisions that are made in their name. Troops are brave and go through hell, nobody questions that. I think it is fair game to discuss the merits of the policies that they are used to advance.
August 26th, 2016 at 1:25 PM ^
Agreed
August 26th, 2016 at 1:10 PM ^
I think the point of view of those people who have that opinion is probably along the lines of the miliary does not actually protect our country or freedom. Whether you agree or disagree, I think it's a perfectly valid point of view that has sparked very interesting discussion. This is outside the norm, though, most people just get really offended haha
August 26th, 2016 at 1:03 PM ^
Why not a thank-a-teacher promotion? Or a thank-a-doctor? Thank-a-community organizer or leader? Why only the military?
August 26th, 2016 at 1:08 PM ^
comports with increased nationalism and the increased militarization of our country. It is no accident and is commingled with sports, particularly football, for very specific reasons.
August 26th, 2016 at 1:23 PM ^
Sure, we probably shouldn't sing the national anthem either. What in the world does that have to do with a football game? /s
August 26th, 2016 at 2:15 PM ^
I don't think "every game must include a thank-a-veteran moment, frequent uses of camo and flag imagery in uniforms and sideline apparel, etc."
I think thanking teachers and doctors and community organizers and leaders is a good thing. Doesn't need to only be the military.
Having said that, there are sacrifices made in the military that aren't often made by others mentioned above (deliberately being in a different world, different culture, working 24/7, low pay, sometimes having your life deliberately in danger).
In some ways, I would love to see compulsory national service, whether teaching, doing community service, construction, medical services, serving in the military. If almost every high school grad had a gap year where they served others in some way, it could be an incredible thing. However, this is definitely heading in the area of political discussion, so I will pull it back.
August 26th, 2016 at 2:28 PM ^
August 26th, 2016 at 3:18 PM ^
I guess I didn't know that. Many of the teachers at my wife's school are making somewhere between 60 and 100k. Look at the military salary grid . . . enlisted are a bit less. My daughter, for instance, is around 27k. I didn't realize that teachers were in danger in the same way.
August 26th, 2016 at 4:02 PM ^
in an affluent upper-middle class area is a pretty comfortable job. Teaching where teachers are most needed and most often ignored is a very difficult, thankless, and underpaid job. My wife teaches in an inner city secondary school and is often one of very few parental-type figures that her students will ever have in their life. She buys her own classroom supplies, stays after class nearly every day with students who are literally struggling to learn how to read and goes to athletic events for students at places where they are not safe, let alone her, just to support them because really nobody else does. I guess nobody told her about that salary grid because she makes shit, and probably won't see any pay increases as long as she works there.
August 26th, 2016 at 4:10 PM ^
August 26th, 2016 at 7:02 PM ^
You've been really angry lately, Bando.
August 26th, 2016 at 9:21 PM ^
No chill, man. No chill.
August 26th, 2016 at 1:04 PM ^
No politics. No religion (other than Michigan football and weekly mass at the Big House). Bake him away toys.
August 26th, 2016 at 1:14 PM ^
Thoughts and prayers with you and your family, and thank you (vicariously) for your daughter's service. The Navy are good folks doing good work the vast majority of the time, and it sounds like you're rightfully proud of the woman you've raised.
August 26th, 2016 at 1:14 PM ^
August 26th, 2016 at 1:24 PM ^
Regardless of one's feelings about war or religion (and for the record, I'm a non-believer who doesn't agree with our military being in the Middle East) a father being concerned for the safety of his child is something everyone should be fine with. Just because Stephen R is asking for prayers for his daughter doesn't mean he's telling you not to pray for other people who are also deserving of our collective thoughts.
August 26th, 2016 at 1:35 PM ^
August 26th, 2016 at 1:36 PM ^
August 26th, 2016 at 2:25 PM ^
Thanks for your kind words. I spent a day at sea on her ship at high speed, and it was pretty amazing. They fired off the 5" gun, and got to see what was involved in all the ballistic missiles and the radar system.
Having said that, small fiberglass patrol boats now traveling at speeds up to 85 mph, working together and closing on a ship in a serpentine pattern, in a somewhat confined area, are extremely dangerous. They don't pick up on radar very well, they can close very quickly when you're only a couple miles offshore, and a single boat loaded with 500 pounds of high explosives getting through is enough to take out a destroyer. Actually, Star Wars is a reasonable analogy. A very powerful vessel (Death Star, Destroyer,) is somewhat vulnerable to waves of unconventional attack. In the case of the Destroyer, they decidedly do NOT want to fire on any patrolboats.
August 26th, 2016 at 3:20 PM ^
Was damaged due to ROE, which have been changed. It's actually well and good the Iranians have feinted attacks recently because your daughter's ship will be on seamless hyper alert status, unlike Cole during its refueling incident.
Your daughter's ship does not depend only on radar for surveillance. With nearly 100% certainty, Navy will have multiple aerial assets overhead, including Global Hawks, and these will be able to spot speedboat departures from bases as well as wakes and communicate concerns through live links.
The ship has night and day tv, infrared and, possibly, heat-sensing visual sensors in a bubble surrounding it, and multiple links to other ships including subsurface. It also has passive sonar that can hear and distinguish speedboat screws by sound from miles away. It can lay a smokescreen and launch obscurants, concealing itself if necessary.
Worry as a parent but you can worry less given your daughter serves on a Burke. I happen to know a few things about systems aboard those ships.
August 26th, 2016 at 1:44 PM ^
August 26th, 2016 at 1:55 PM ^
while Oakland is still in play.
August 26th, 2016 at 1:57 PM ^
Not even the team?
August 26th, 2016 at 2:02 PM ^
Finally figured out what makes that still funny. It's the absolute absurdity of it. Who in their right mind would say they won't pray until those two things happen? That's funny.
But saying you won't eat veggies until we beat MSU & OSU, not funny.
August 26th, 2016 at 1:58 PM ^
Pray for Mojo.
August 26th, 2016 at 2:02 PM ^
are in my prayers.
Your note puts something into perspective for me. When I served I couldn't understand why my mother was freaked out about me being sent to South Korea. I'm thinking, "What's the problem? They trained me well. That's where they are sending me".
I now have 3 sons of military age and one has shown interest in serving. Now I'm the one freaked about him going into harm's way if he acts on the urge to volunteer.
God bless your daughter, your family and you.
When you talk to her next, please remember to thank her and her shipmates for their service on our behalf.
August 26th, 2016 at 2:59 PM ^
When is OT season over? First CFB game or Michigan game week? I can't remember?
August 26th, 2016 at 3:00 PM ^
August 26th, 2016 at 3:42 PM ^
Former Marine here.
While I won't be praying, I will certainly keep your daughter, and all those like her, in my thoughts as I enjoy this weekend enjoying the freedom they have purchased with their sacrifice.
August 26th, 2016 at 4:51 PM ^
I am very thankful for all of those that serve our country and hope for the best for them. But to ask god to watch over them is too vague of a comment. You would need to narrow it down from the 4200 or so gods currently observed in the world to the specific one you mean.
August 26th, 2016 at 5:00 PM ^
August 26th, 2016 at 5:01 PM ^
August 26th, 2016 at 5:16 PM ^
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August 26th, 2016 at 7:33 PM ^