Pittsburgh wins Super Bowl XL

Wildcat Whuppin!

GATORS Down Kentucky 95-80

The No. 7/8 Florida men’s basketball team had five players reach double figures on its way to its 20th win of the season, a 95-80 triumph over Eastern Division rival Kentucky in front of a record-breaking crowd of 12,609 fans at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center and a nationally-televised audience on ESPN2 on Saturday night. This marks the eighth-straight season under head coach Billy Donovan that the Gators have posted 20 wins, and they also established a school record with their 20th consecutive home victory. With the win, Florida improved to 20-2 overall, 6-2 in the SEC, while the Wildcats dropped to 15-7 overall and 5-3 in league play.

It never gets easy.....

Wednesday morning Charlie got up at 6AM, showered and started his goodbyes - and long story short, IT JUST DON"T GET ANY EASIER to see him go!!! While we will celebrate that he is home and safe each and every day, it still hurts when he leaves.. The visit was quick and gone in a flash. As usual, he wanted see all his friends and spend time with his lady so we would sneak in a meal or a minute here and there. Anytime is OK with me! And then he was gone! Back to Fort Campbell today and off to Ranger school in March. We plan a trip back to the mountains to tame the dragon together for the end of May! Until then - my buddy!

Camera Upgrade!

NEWS!!!!

I had gotten a Nikon D50 for Christmas and had taken hundreds of pictures and was getting somewhat frustrated with the results. I read and studied and adjusted but seem to miss the type of shots I am looking for. So I took the camera to our family expert and camera shop owner - Steve. After examining, Steve said the camera body had a problem and that he had a similar problem with 3 others during the Christmas holidays. SO!!!! He fixed me up with the camera that I had really wanted from the beginning - the CANON REBEL XT! I was able to swap in my Nikon 75-300 lens as well so I came home with the new Canon and both lens!!! I'm pumped!!! Look out - I'll be shooting everything in sight - again!

Here's Harley

 

our little girl...

Miss Lilly is our youngest lab - 15 months old. She is a beauty has stole our hearts! we picked her out at 17 days and visited her every week until we could take her home on December 23, 2004. She will always meet you with excitement and a bone - or 2!

Our Harley Doctors

CMDR Kelly and LT Moores discuss how to make Charlie's harley more "zoom, zoom"...
CMDR Kelly is a very active supporter of all the military men and women. His shop is the FINEST shop you could possibly take your harley to for engine work - BY FAR. You can trust these people! Imagine that! Check the out at HD Performance Specialists You will be glad you did! Stop in and talk with Kelly and Sonny - {No. 1 mechanic ever!}

Back in the saddle...

Charlie was back on his
harley within minutes
after getting home! 

Smiley People....

 
 

sez it all...

Court's sign for her bro... 

Happy!

CHARLIE HOME!!!!

We waited since Thursday! Charlie had told us Wednesday AM that he was leaving in less than 24 hours and that he would call as soon as he got to Clarksville - on US soil! My feet did not hit ground on Thursday or Friday in anticipation of "the call". No call... Everytime the phone rang Linda and I would look at each other and say "this is it!" Saturday came - no call. We decided that Charlie would be grounded for a month at this point! Sunday came and we just knew he had to call today - we went to breakfast on the bike - no call. Watched the NFL playoffs - no call. Now he is grounded for 2 months! Courtney has called 3 times and wants to know - "Waz up with Chuck"? Went to bed around 10:30 hoping tomorrow would be the day. Then at 1:26AM Charlie called - SAFE & SOUND IN THE UNITED STATES! His flight had been delayed for almost 48 hours in Baghdad. But all was good! just to hear his voice again was enough for us. He said he would hop on the computer and get him a flight for today and see us soon!

YUP - CHARLIE IS HOME!!!

YES - here it is - waiting for me!

US 129 - the Dragon!!!!

Moving On

DENVER - John Lynch hates moving.

So you can understand why every time Lynch unpacked a box in his new home in Denver two years ago, he had some unkind words for Tampa Bay Buccaneers general manager Bruce Allen.

"Every time I cracked open another box, I was like, 'That son of a ... ,' " Lynch said. "Once I got past the move, I was OK."

A little bitter? Sure, mostly because of the manner in which Allen cut Lynch in 2004 after 11 seasons with the Bucs, a time that included five Pro Bowls and a Super Bowl championship.

These days, he no longer curses Allen. That bitterness has subsided.

Playing on a legitimate Super Bowl-contending team has helped. So has irony.

If Lynch was still with Tampa Bay, he wouldn't be in the position he is today.

For one, he wouldn't be playing in his third championship game. While his former Bucs teammates are home watching today's championship games on television, Lynch is an active participant as the Broncos' starting free safety and is a game away from his second Super Bowl.

"Sure it was a tough situation leaving Tampa, but things happen for a reason," Lynch said. "This has kind of re-energized my career, and I have an opportunity now to get to the Super Bowl in the AFC, having done it in the NFC."

Secondly, if Lynch were still an integral part of the vaunted Tampa Bay defense, he wouldn't be doing the things the Broncos have allowed him to do. That job belongs to Bucs Pro Bowl cornerback Ronde Barber.

A funny thing happened to Lynch after the Bucs decided he wasn't starting material. He turned into a hybrid safety/nickel cornerback. Lynch tied for the Broncos' lead this season with four sacks. That's nearly the amount he collected in 11 seasons with the Bucs (six).

"John, he knows everything, he studies the game very hard and he'll knock you out," Denver cornerback Champ Bailey said.

On The Blitz

Early in his career, Lynch earned the reputation as one of the hardest hitters in the league. He still packs a wallop, but in the Broncos' scheme, Lynch has developed into one of the league's most feared blitzers.

"In Tampa I blitzed a lot, but it was always on run downs," he said. "And when we were in nickel, it was always Ronde, and you can't blame [Bucs defensive coordinator] Monte [Kiffin] because Ronde did a tremendous job. But in Denver, they've really made me a part of the blitzing in the passing situations.

"It's really stepped up a lot this year, and I'm having a lot of fun doing it."

In the Broncos' 27-13 victory against the two-time defending world champion Patriots, Lynch never sacked New England quarterback Tom Brady, but he pressured him on several occasions and forced him to get rid of the ball before he wanted. Lynch sealed the victory with an interception, the 28th of his career.

"In this defense right now, they're asking me to do a little bit of everything," he said. "Not only am I blitzing, in my 13th year, it's kind of ironic they're asking me to cover receivers more than I've ever done in my career. Sometimes I get to play with two deep safeties, like I did in Tampa, but sometimes I'm playing center field, sometimes I'm playing linebacker, sometimes I get down in a three-point stance like a defensive lineman.

"They're asking a lot of me, but I enjoy that."

Lynch also enjoys this Denver team. The Broncos are a talented bunch, full of Pro Bowlers, but it's more than the product produced on the field.

"There's something special about this team, and I recognized it early," Lynch said. "It's really a selfless team. No one really cares who gets the credit, and it's a real tight team."

Still Having Fun

Because he has gone through the championship experience with Tampa Bay, one might wonder how Lynch's new team compares to his old one?

"It's very similar," he said. "We were a very tight team there, but this one is a little tighter. Just because, I think, even in the best times in Tampa, there were a lot of different agendas going on. We had Keyshawn [Johnson], and everybody was worried about who was going to go first at the press conference. Things like that.

"And we don't have a coach-general manager battle going on. So it's really good and fun to be around. My time in Tampa was great with some great teams, but this one really is special."

Lynch keeps in touch with his former teammates. He communicates regularly with Derrick Brooks, Barber and Mike Alstott. He even stopped by One Buc Place recently to visit with his former coaches.

That's about as much of a blast from the past as Lynch allows. His present and future are with the Denver Broncos.

"There's times when I'm talking to Derrick, Ronde and Mike, and it feels like just yesterday I was there," Lynch said. "But there are other times, it feels like light years ago that I was playing with that team. I'll never forget how special the memories were in Tampa. That's such a big part of my life, my family's life, so you never forget that.

"But I'm a big believer that things happen for a reason and they all work out. I can tell you I'm having as much fun as I've ever had."

---

Consider...

Wild Wisdom
Animals As Teachers

Since prehistoric times, animals have acted as companions to humans on their journey toward enlightenment. Animals as disparate in character as house pets, birds, sea creatures, and insects have been our mentors, teachers, and guides. There is much we can learn from animals, as they offer us the unique opportunity to transcend the human perspective. Unlike human teachers, animals can only impart their wisdom by example, and we learn from them by observation. An animal teacher can be a beloved pet or an animal in the wild. You may even find yourself noticing the animals in your backyard. Even robins and bumblebees have lessons to share with you.

Animals teach us in a variety of ways about behavior, habit, and instinct. House pets embody an unconditional love that remains unchanged in the face of our shape, size, age, race, or gender. They care little for the differences between us and them and simply enjoy loving and being loved. Our pets encourage us to let our guards down, have fun, and take advantage of every opportunity to enjoy life. You can also learn lessons from the animals you encounter in the wild if you take the time to observe their habits. Cold-blooded animals show us adaptability and sensitivity to one's environment. Mammals serve as examples of nurturing and playfulness. Animals that live in oceans, lakes, and rivers demonstrate the value of movement and grace. It is even possible to learn from insects that live in highly structured communities that everyone plays a vital role.

Animals teach us about life, death, survival, sacrifice, and responsibility. If you find yourself drawn to a particular animal, ask yourself which of its traits you find most intriguing and think about how you might mimic those traits. Think of what you might learn from observing the little bird on your windowsill or the mosquito buzzing around a picnic table. Animals express themselves with abandon, freedom, and integrity. It's natural to be drawn to the wisdom offered by our animal teachers, and in doing so, discover what is natural and true within you.

Our town! Where LaLaLand exists!

The sun sets on another day in paradise........

Linda's office......

Dusk at Gandy Bridge

Another View....

I have long detested the media and Political fodder on the Iraqi Freedom conflict and share this from a proud US Soldier - the REALITY of the situation!

from 2slick

Great Letter from Iraq

SGT Rausch and his buddies in 1st Platoon just crafted a masterpiece that needs to be seen by everyone you know. I've been trying to say this stuff for years now, but I couldn't quite figure out how to put it all into words. Well, these guys just cracked the code. Thanks to Becky C for bringing this to my attention:

Cpt2slick,

I am passing this on from a dear friend of mine. Her son wrote her this email and asked her to get it out to everyone. So she told me to send it to you too. Here is his email he wrote to her today. God bless those 101st soldiers. We love em all. Hope you will share his email with your readers.

Becky C

I will gladly pass this on, Becky. Thanks for doing your part in helping to spread the good word...

2Slick

SGT Rausch's email follows:

Mom

Be my voice. I want this message heard. It is mine and my platoon's to the country. A man I know lost his legs the other night. He is in another company in our batallion. I can no longer be silent after watching the sacrifices made by Iraqis and Americans everyday. Send it to a congressman if you have to. Send it to FOX news if you have to. Let this message be heard please.

My fellow Americans,

I have a task for those with the courage and fortitude to take it. I have a message that needs not fall on deaf ears. A vision the blind need to see. I am not a political man nor one with great wisdom. I am just a soldier who finds himself helping rebuild a country that he helped liberate a couple years ago.

I have watched on television how the American public questions why their mothers, fathers, brothers, and sisters are fighting and dying in a country 9000 miles away from their own soil. Take the word of a soldier, for that is all I am, that our cause is a noble one. The reason we are here is one worth fighting for. A cause that has been the most costly and sought after cause in our small span of existence on our little planet. Bought in blood and paid for by those brave enough to give the ultimate sacrifice to obtain it. A right that is given to every man, woman, and child I believe by God. I am talking of freedom.

Freedom. One word but yet countless words could never capture it's true meaning or power. "For those who have fought for it, freedom has a taste the protected will never know." I read that once and it couldn't be more true. It's not the average American's fault that he or she is "blind and deaf" to the taste of freedom. Most American's are born into their God given right so it is all they ever know. I was once one of them. I would even dare to say that it isn't surprising that they take for granted what they have had all their life. My experiences in the military however opened my eyes to the truth.

Ironically you will find the biggest outcries of opposition to our cause from those who have had no military experience and haven't had to fight for freedom. I challenge all of those who are daring enough to question such a noble cause to come here for just a month and see it first hand. I have a feeling that many voices would be silenced.

I watched Cindy Sheehan sit on the President's lawn and say that America isn't worth dying for. Later she corrected herself and said Iraq isn't worth dying for. She badmouthed all that her son had fought and died for. I bet he is rolling over in his grave.

Ladies and gentleman I ask you this. What if you lived in a country that wasn't free? What if someone told you when you could have heat, electricity, and water? What if you had no sewage systems so human waste flowed into the streets? What if someone would kill you for bad-mouthing your government? What if you weren't allowed to watch TV, connect to the internet, or have cell phones unless under extreme censorship? What if you couldn't put shoes on your child's feet? You need not to have a great understanding of the world but rather common sense to realize that it is our duty as HUMAN BEINGS to free the oppressed. If you lived that way would you not want someone to help you????

The Iraqi's pour into the streets to wave at us and when we liberated the cities during the war they gathered in the thousands to cheer, hug and kiss us. It was what the soldier's in WW2 experienced, yet no one questioned their cause!! Saddam was no better than Hitler! He tortured and killed thousands of innocent people. We are heroes over here, yet American's badmouth our President for having us here.

Every police station here has a dozen or more memorials for officers that were murdered trying to ensure that their people live free. These are husbands, fathers, and sons killed every day. What if it were your country? What would your choice be? Everything we fight for is worth the blood that may be shed. The media never reports the true HEROISM I witness everyday in the Iraqi's. Yes there are bad one's here, but I assure you they are a minuscule percent. Yet they are a number big enough to cause worry in this country's future.

I have watched brave souls give their all and lose thier lives and limbs for this cause. I will no longer stand silent and let the "deaf and blind" be the only voice shouting. Stonewall Jackson once said, "All that I have, all that I am is at the service of the country." For these brave souls who gave the ultimate sacrifice, including your son Cindy Sheehan, I will shout till I can no longer. These men and women are heroes. Their spirit lives on in their military and they will never be forgotten. They did not die in vain but rather for a cause that is larger than all of us.

My fellow countrymen and women, we are not overseas for our country alone but also another. We are here to spread democracy and freedom to those who KNOW the true taste of it because they fight for it everyday. You can see the desire in their eyes and I am honored to fight alongside them as an Infantryman in the 101st Airborne.

Freedom is not free, but yet it is everyone's right to have. Ironic isn't it? That is why we are here. Though you will always have the skeptics, I know that most of our military will agree with this message. PLease, at the request of this soldier spread this message to all you know. We are in Operation Iraqi Freedom and that is our goal. It is a cause that I and thousands of others stand ready to pay the ultimate sacrifice for because, Cindy Sheehan, freedom is worth dying for, no matter what country it is! And after the world is free only then can we hope to have peace.

SGT Walter J. Rausch and 1st Platoon
Charlie Co. 2/327 Infantry Regiment
101st Airborne Division (Air Assault)