Comments on Kaboom: A Soldier's War Journal: The Bon Jovi IED

Hey, those cassette tapes look freakishly like wir...

2008-06-04T07:23:00.000-07:00

Hey, those cassette tapes look freakishly like wires in the right light! We went looking for bombs every day, and they still startled us every now and then. I feel ya on the bomb-sniffing for fobbits, though...

Not in relation to this, but I could swear you rec...

2008-05-28T11:14:00.000-07:00

Not in relation to this, but I could swear you recommended Freaknomics at some point. Just finished it. Loved it. More suggestions?

Somehow Google brought me across your blog and I r...

2008-05-28T08:38:00.000-07:00

Somehow Google brought me across your blog and I read a couple of posts. I found the one about "the dog" particularly surreal.

I'm not in the military, have never been in combat, and won't pretend I have a clue what you guys are really going through.

I was born in the US, but my parents moved to Buenos Aires, Argentina when I was 6. I also lived in Santiago, Chile and Santa Cruz, Bolivia. We lived there until I was 17. Unlike many Americans, I have experienced life and culture outside the US, so I have a perspecive that many don't.

Anyways, I appreciate what your doing over there. Saying "hang in there" or "be safe" sounds cheezy and empty. I guess what I wish for you is more refreshing moments like you had with "the dog" - like that cool drink of water when you're really thirsty and for 5 minutes you forget about the hell you're in and all is right with the world!

No no no, the eighties can NEVER die! Bon Jovi, W...

2008-05-27T18:18:00.000-07:00

No no no, the eighties can NEVER die! Bon Jovi, Whitesnake, Motley Crue, Twisted Sister, Def Leppard, Quiet Riot, Guns n Roses, its ALL good, LT G. You just gotta get in the groove.

By the way, I'm really glad it was Jon Bon Jovi on the side of the road and not something explosive. Of course, one could argue that Jon Bon Jovi's highly spiked and hairsprayed 80s 'do WAS highly explosive, in and of itself.

Hell. IT ROCKED.

Heres' another nugget for ya."If you wish to succe...

2008-05-27T16:24:00.000-07:00

Heres' another nugget for ya.

"If you wish to succeed in any endeavour, first enlist the help of all the fools in town. This is a sufficient majority for anything."

"In certain desperate times, certain impossible times, or certain trying times, profanity offers a relief denied even by prayer."
-Samuel Langhorn Clemens

Heres' another nugget for ya."If you wish to succe...

2008-05-27T16:23:00.000-07:00

A little Bon Jovi in honor of you and your men:I j...

2008-05-27T14:16:00.000-07:00

A little Bon Jovi in honor of you and your men:

I just seen trouble, he's calling out your name tonight

Billy get your guns

You could walk away but I know you were born to fight

So Billy get your guns

. . .

I've seen a hangman dancing beneath the pale moonlight

Billy get your guns

And every stranger that you meet thinks it's his lucky night

Billy get your guns

I don't envy you Billy but I want to say

You better get your guns

'Cause every outlaw that's died will live to ride again

Billy get your guns

The Thunder Run has linked to this post in the blo...

2008-05-27T08:03:00.000-07:00

The Thunder Run has linked to this post in the blog post From the Front: 05/27/2008 News and Personal dispatches from the front lines.

Who would have thought that a banana crate and Bon...

2008-05-27T06:29:00.000-07:00

Who would have thought that a banana crate and Bon Jovi tape could be so funny.

Like the old guy said, "May your duties be few. A...

2008-05-27T06:07:00.000-07:00

Like the old guy said, "May your duties be few. And far between."

Were they really that fearful? Why put another man in a danger they would not face themselves?

Same Army? Same America? Why am I not following this?

Thank you to you and yours for having the characte...

2008-05-26T20:28:00.000-07:00

Thank you to you and yours for having the character to stand and be counted. The Gravediggers are in our thoughts and prayers here. Come home in one piece.

Beware the banana crate!

Anderson Family

Not sure what happened to my comment of earlier to...

2008-05-26T19:15:00.000-07:00

Not sure what happened to my comment of earlier today, but I just wanted to let you know that you and all the Gravediggers are in my thoughts this Memorial Day. Ever so grateful for your service and praying for your safe return home.
Arli
(NYC Soldiers Angel to a 2-27 Wolfhound, now back in Sch. Barr.)

Happy Memorial Day. Thanks for what you do, and Go...

2008-05-26T17:09:00.000-07:00

Happy Memorial Day. Thanks for what you do, and God bless you.

Here's to the Gravediggers. Thank you for your se...

2008-05-26T15:24:00.000-07:00

Here's to the Gravediggers. Thank you for your service to our country. Thank you Lt. G for sharing your stories, your observations and your time with all of us. Stay safe.

I am glad y'all so polite and professional clearin...

2008-05-26T14:07:00.000-07:00

I am glad y'all so polite and professional clearing the IEDs and the fears from the roads and the minds of those in need. Sometimes it is good that nothing is happening, I saw too many fresh graves at the cemetery today, keep sharp and bring them all back.

Funny stuff Lt,Just want you to know that we are t...

2008-05-26T13:42:00.000-07:00

Funny stuff Lt,
Just want you to know that we are thinking of you and everyone else in the box. Stay safe and a Thoughtful Memorial Day to you and the Gravediggers. The Mccollum Family.

Good to read all turned out to be garbage. Thinkin...

2008-05-26T07:34:00.000-07:00

Good to read all turned out to be garbage. Thinking of all of the Gravediggers this Memorial Day. Thank you.

“Good Christ, it has gotta be bad when the dude in...

2008-05-26T06:49:00.000-07:00

“Good Christ, it has gotta be bad when the dude in the TOC is busting their chops.”

It's all fun and games until somebody gets hit with a piece of banana crate.

Too funny dude.

Even though you don't get it off....Happy Memorial...

2008-05-25T23:57:00.000-07:00

Even though you don't get it off....Happy Memorial Day. Stay safe.

Here's to a safe and uneventful Memorial Day weeke...

2008-05-25T22:35:00.000-07:00

Here's to a safe and uneventful Memorial Day weekend.

Hi Lt. GO Dark thirty here too. Hey some of us act...

2008-05-25T22:22:00.000-07:00

Hi Lt. G
O Dark thirty here too. Hey some of us actually enjoyed the 80's...you shouldn't dis your birth decade that way! I hope all those sketchy FOB Goblins appreciated your efforts to keep them from getting "blown into fractions!" (hat tip to Linkin Park - "Hands Held High")

And now in a tribute to Bon Jovi…

"Stick To Your Guns" all you Gravediggers, because you may be "Wanted Dead or Alive."
Don’t you worry though; cause "I’ll Be There For You."

You might be "Livin’ On A Prayer," but you know "I Believe" because all y’all were "Born To Be My Baby!"

"Let It Rock" and try not to go to "Wild In The Streets" there on Route Daytona. I’m sorry this little ditty is like "Bad Medicine," but, this ain’t no party, this ain’t no disco, this ain’t no foolin’ around! And it sure as hell ain’t no "Bed of Roses."

Please "Raise Your Hands" when you want me to stop. Who knew I liked Bon Jovi? You can "Blame It On The Rock & Roll" or 80's Hair Band-itis.

"Keep The Faith" guys!

i always hated those stupid fragos, go check out a...

2008-05-25T22:06:00.000-07:00

i always hated those stupid fragos, go check out an ied.... hello we are Infantry not EOD... ding ding anyone home... The best are when the cooks spot one from the fob on the india sierra romeo and we are sent to go "check it out"....
Actually the best was when a certain BDE commander found one and told us he was to busy to secure it so we had to go out and wait for EOD.... Stud!
Thankfully urs was Bon Jovi... hooah!
Stay safe sir!

.....and so Lt.G and his merry band celebrate anot...

2008-05-25T21:38:00.000-07:00

.....and so Lt.G and his merry band celebrate another holiday in thier own special way, driving up and down the main road, singing Bon Jovi, wondering where all the girls went. Chalk up another good day in The Gravedigger family.

I'm glad it turned out to be nothing. Happy Memori...

2008-05-25T21:10:00.000-07:00

I'm glad it turned out to be nothing.

Happy Memorial Day to you and the Gravediggers.