Patterico's Pontifications

12/17/2007

I’ll be Home for Christmas

Filed under: War — DRJ @ 1:33 pm



[Guest post by DRJ]

Over the past week, the 4-1 Cavalry has returned from Iraq to its home base at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas. Their families, friends and neighbors are glad they are home after a 15 month deployment. Here’s one example (click link for photo; here’s the caption):

“Sgt. 1st Class Thomas Steinbring fought back tears Sunday as he held his daughter, Sgt. Nicole Steinbring, 21, after she returned from Iraq on Sunday at Fort Bliss. Thomas Steinbring, who is stationed at Fort Knox, Ky., flew in for the day to see his daughter.”

Merry Christmas and thank you.

— DRJ

22 Responses to “I’ll be Home for Christmas”

  1. DRJ — unless David explains what this picture is supposed to represent, my suggestion would be to take it down.

    WLS (dfa1f1)

  2. It’s a picture of some ass who use to be in the US Army.

    tired (cd0e7b)

  3. I don’t care what David E’s picture is or isn’t – absolutely nothing can take away my swell of gratefulness for such honorable people, and the heartbreaking beauty of a father and daughter that says it all.

    Dana (b4a26c)

  4. I don’t see what the virtue is in taking down David Ehrenstein’s photo. It’s a stupid meaningless photo near as I can tell and, as such, is perfect for David Ehrenstein’s contribution and contrasts perfectly with the deep and meaningful photo above.

    Christoph (92b8f7)

  5. I agree with everyone’s sentiments, but I believe in negative reinforcement.

    David E. has already been banned here once by Patterico.

    While this post is not facially offensive, what it represents when connected to this photo is offensive, and I’d give him the proverbial newspaper-across-the-nose by taking it down.

    WLS (dfa1f1)

  6. I never click on a DE link – I have learned my lesson.

    Dana (b4a26c)

  7. There is nothing sweeter that holding your child, newly home from harms way. No amount of questionable displays can dilute that sweet relief. My boy has been home three months and picture like that still brings tears to my eyes.
    I’m interested in an explaination of Ehrensteins’ pic but, whatever. God Bless the Steinbrings Hoo-Aah and MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

    paul from fl (47918a)

  8. I think Christoph nailed it…

    Scott Jacobs (425810)

  9. Recommended policy, wartime or not: Don’t ask, don’t click.

    Dana's assistant (db247b)

  10. It’s a picture of Sgt. Darren Manzella — a decorated medic serving in Iraq who was featured last night on “60 Minutes.”

    You people should keep up.

    David Ehrenstein (5f9866)

  11. A daughter of one of our friends just had her husband come home from Iraq too (Marines). We were so happy for her. She had been very frightened for him.

    Yesterday I was traveling, flying in and out of Fayetteville, NC and driving around near Fort Bragg. Lots of servicemen and women in the airport as you’d expect. I was listening to the 40’s Channel on XM Radio.

    The title of this post is one of the most famous WWII songs. I heard it yesterday, and listening, I was struck by how many of the popular songs of the day were about separated lovers. Think of “I’ll Be Seeing You,” “We’ll Meet Again,” “Long Ago And Far Away;” the list could be a lot longer. The war was pervasive.

    How different now. We are a nation at war, our sons and daughters are dying overseas, but it affects so few of us directly.

    JayHub (0a6237)

  12. JayHub,

    I remember all those songs and I can sing (or at least hum) most of them, too. The older I get, the better they get.

    DRJ (09f144)

  13. Even “White Christmas” is about separation, as it deals with someone in L.A. dreaming of somewhere back east.

    David Ehrenstein (5f9866)

  14. There is of course a reason that 60 Minutes chose to feature that particular medic and of course a reason for David E to highlight it on this blog, but I fail to see the connection to Christmas.

    “Army Sergeant Darren Manzella, a medical liaison for his division, is in Kuwait on his second deployment of the Iraq war. He spoke to 60 Minutes without permission.

    Manzella served as a medic with a field artillery unit in Baghdad back in 2005, earning a combat medal for rendering treatment under fire. “I’ve treated everything from blast injuries to gunshot wounds,” he tells Stahl.

    Manzella was out to his Army buddies and even introduced them to his boyfriend A.J. But then, he started getting anonymous e-mails, saying he was being watched, and warning him to “turn down the flame.”

    “As in flamingly gay?” Stahl asks.

    “Yes,” Manzella says.

    He went for help to his commanding officer, and in the process, told him – as in don’t ask don’t tell – that he was gay. The officer in turn told Manzella he’d have to report him.

    “He did report me, yes,” Manzella says. “I had to go see my battalion commander, who read me my rights.” “

    daleyrocks (906622)

  15. The connection to Christmas is that I want Darren Manzilla under my tree!

    David Ehrenstein (5f9866)

  16. David E — the reg is the reg. Billy CLinton had the opportunity to change it and he buckled under the pressure.

    When the Dems grow the balls necessary to do things they believe in but are politically unpopular, they might make some promise on their gay rights agenda. Until then, the Manzellas of the armed forces will hav to turn down the flame.

    WLS (dfa1f1)

  17. That should be “progress” not “promise”.

    WLS (dfa1f1)

  18. Another thread hijacking about the ghey.

    SPQR (26be8b)

  19. I’ll have you singing Sondheim yet, SPQR!

    David Ehrenstein (5f9866)

  20. yeeeesh, why am I not surprised…..Merry Christmas!Welcome home and Job well done Folks!

    paul from fl (12026e)

  21. David E. – The Mormon Tabernacle Choir has a new holiday CD set out that you might want give a listen.

    daleyrocks (906622)


Powered by WordPress.

Page loaded in: 0.0840 secs.