In Training

John McCain, POW

I've have yet to study much about the Vietnam war, I tend to focus on World War II and the Holocaust (makes sense considering that's what I'll be teaching eventually). I knew John McCain was a prisoner of war, but had never really heard about his experience until today.

It's long, but worth it. Take the time.

Via Blackfive.

Immigration: Fingerprinting Stage

Hip Hip Hooray! Our attorney called and informed us that we have a fingerprinting appointment next month!

This is great news as we've been waiting for a while now (though, not as long as the step before thank goodness). What's even better is that it should only be about another 2-3 months before Royal's work permit comes through! The man cannot wait to get to work, which I admire greatly.

For those that are new: I am American and my husband (aka Royal) is newly out of the Royal Marine Commandos - he served as a sniper. We are currently working on permanent residency (or green card). It's a branch of the immigration through a family member tree.

I tell you, we are going to be expert by the time we're through!

Other immigration posts:
Still Alive
Wonderful World of Immigration
Immigration permits falling from the sky

UK veterans not allowed to hoist flag over town hall unless...

They pay 80 pounds a year, take 'working at height' and 'manual handling' training courses, wear safety shoes and weatherproof clothing and, oh yeah, they cannot take prescription meds, suffer from diabetes, heart problems, high or low blood pressure, asthma, fear of heights... etc. Apparently the town council has a fifty point list of Do Nots.

All the branch's 84 members are over 60 and suffer from a variety of ailments which would stop them going up a ladder to raise the flag.
....
Councillor John Ireland, 61, who is also branch chairman and served in the Army for 27 years, said:
'We have fought bravely and many of us risked our lives in a world war. 'We are perfectly capable of going up a ladder a few feet to put a flag up on a roof. 'All the council is trying to do is find excuses to stop flying the flag.
'They have been very sneaky. What they gave in one hand, they took away in the other, knowing full well none of us is fit enough to match those rules.'
.... the veterans cannot ask younger non-members to help as they have to be covered by the RBL's £10million insurance policy.

You would think that that was bad enough. I did. Going out of your way to keep the greatest generation from flying the flag they fought for, the one they believe in is unthinkable. But here's the worst of it:

Opponents cited the £80 annual cost and said the flag would lose significance if flown every day.
But legion members claim the council is being politically-correct as it fears being labelled racist.

The flag. Would lose. Significance. If flown. Every. Day.

ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDING ME??
That is the lamest ass excuse I have ever, ever heard. They should be ashamed. I'm not saying that all of Britain's problems would be solved if the flag was flown over every town square every day of the year... but then again, who knows? I sure don't see enough of it when I'm visiting.

It's heartbreaking really. When I read this to Royal he wasn't even surprised. I wasn't really either, though I'm more of an optimist, I guess. It's just one more reason we've decided to raise our family in America.

Scotland vs. England 2008

I'm poorly this week with a hardcore bacterial infection. This I do not recommend!

But worry not, a tasty link for you all:

Scottish tourist attraction bans English visitors in revenge for 1298 battle

The Edinburgh Dungeon said the one-day event is in revenge for the Battle of Falkirk, fought 710 years ago July 21st, at which more than 2,000 Scots were slaughtered by the Auld Enemy.

English visitors will only be allowed entry if they sign a scroll swearing allegiance to Scotland, while those from other countries will be encouraged to bring in items deemed 'typically English’ to be smashed.

The attraction, which is visited by 200,000 people per year insisted the measures were a fitting tribute to the Scots soldiers who were killed and their leader, William Wallace.

But it faces a growing backlash from English tourists appalled that they were being singled out for something that happened so long ago.

Found via Rum Ration. Some interesting comments if you are... interested. I unfortunately am not familiar with the history, but maybe y'all will leave comments filling me in!
The one thing I do know: my half English, half Scottish husband (Father and Mum, respectively) who grew up in Southern England would never sign allegiance to Scotland, joking or not!

Some Duffy

I'm sure you all have heard of Duffy by now, even in the U.S. This is my favorite song off her new cd: Rockferry.

I just love how clear her voice is! There's only one song on the cd that I don't really care for - which never happens to me with music (Syrup and Honey, if you're wondering). Y'all enjoy.

Difference #555 between Brits and Americans

Sprinklers.

My husband cannot get enough of sprinklers. He not only slows the car down to gaze at them, he comments every single time.
No joke, it's the best and I love him a million times more for it.

See, they don't have too many sprinklers in Britain.
Or, they are called "clouds". Though for what reason I cannot even imagine, they get tired of those sprinklers very easily.

Royal especially likes the sprinklers that "shoot up and move." I actually think he's quite disappointed that we don't have any in our yard... We may have to install some so we can maintain our happy marriage! Well, our marriage and his sanity - he's hasn't even been here three months and it's been over 95 degrees almost every day!

Really, it's no wonder those sprinklers are lookin' good.

Difference #55 found here.

U.K. woman convicted of assault after reprimanding teen

Not just any woman, a 50 year old woman with a strong military family background. Not just any teen, a 15 year old teen that was thought to be vandalizing a war memorial.

Article here.

Mrs Lake claimed she was performing a 'moral obligation' following months of anti-social behaviour and vandalism at the memorial.

But weeks later she was arrested and yesterday was convicted of assault, criminal damage and a public order offence at North Avon Magistrates Court in Yate, near Bristol.

She was cleared of punching a 14-year-old in the stomach during the fracas. Sentencing Mrs Lake to a 12-month conditional discharge, District judge David Parsons said she had shown a 'complete lack of self-control'.

She was found guilty of criminal damage for angrily throwing a bicycle belonging to one of the youths into the road, and shouting: 'Now you know what it feels like to have your property damaged'.

The judge rejected her claim the she was trying to perform a citizen's arrest and ordered her to pay £400 towards costs.

....

Before her arrest, Mrs Lake said she had become frustrated by youths vandalising the garden in Mangotsfield, Bristol. She said:
'The memorial is a sacred place - it's like a grave. How dare these youngsters tarnish the memories of those who made a sacrifice for future generations?
'I've called the police and I've tried to talk to these kids but I've got nowhere.
'I lost my temper in frustration after two years of trying to get something done and immediately the police are after me. It's ridiculous.'

Mrs Lake's grandfather James Byrne was an infantryman who was killed, aged 29, in the Western Front trenches of France during the First World War. Her father William Byrne was an RAF pilot in World War II, and Julie's husband Peter, 63, a retired airman, also lost his grandfather in the 1914-18 war.

The trial - estimated to have cost taxpayers more than £100,000 - earlier heard how Mrs Lake was surrounded by up to 25 jeering youths by the memorial at the end of last year. She told how the gang surrounded her, pushed her and shouted:
'You can't touch us, we're 15, we can do what the f*** we like.'

When the 15-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was questioned in court about the war memorial, he replied:
''It means nothing to me, I guess it's for some people who died in the war.'

Mrs Lake said after the hearing: 'I did this for millions of men and women like my grandfather, for whom a war memorial is the only grave they have.
'I did what I did because I believe it was my moral obligation to stand up for those men and women following years of vandalism at the memorial.
'I would like to say thanks for all the support I've received over the past few months which has meant so much to me.'

I don't think there's a single comment after the article that doesn't give Mrs. Lake three cheers.

Royal Marines support local farmer's market

It's always super nice when I read a postive article about the Royal Military doing things in the surrounding community - which they do a lot, actually.

Just such an article here.

Chefs from the Field Cookery Team at the Commando Training Centre at Lympstone will once again show their support for the town, and the Farmers' Market, next Wednesday, July 9, when they spend the morning with a special "cook out noodle bar".

The chefs will be preparing chicken and beef chow mien tasters for market shoppers, whilst demonstrating some of the skills needed to keep our marines fighting fit for their duties.

....

Rupert Ormerod, Secretary to the Exmouth Farmers Market, said: "The Royal Marine Commandos have a strong track record of supporting the local farmers' market and it's really good to see them back again this year...."

Good on the Marines, and good on the Market.