This is True: Military http://www.thisistrue.com/military.html en-us 2005-02-27T14:24:25-07:00 hourly 1 2000-01-01T12:00+00:00 Our Kind of Hostage Problem http://www.thisistrue.com/hostage.html Sometimes a photo is just the thing to finish off a good story. From True's 27 February 2005 issue:

We Recognized His Plastic Smile

"Our mujahideen ... have managed to capture the American soldier John Adam after killing a number of his colleagues," an Al Qaeda web site said in Arabic, claiming it had captured a soldier in Iraq. It even posted a photo of the soldier, bound and at gunpoint. But "no units have reported anyone missing," said a Pentagon spokesman. A spokesman for Dragon Models USA has cleared up the mystery: the photo shows an action figure, "Special Ops Cody", which the company sold in stores in Kuwait. Even the rifle shown is a toy, and included in the package. "Everything the guy is wearing is exactly what comes with our figure," says the spokesman. (Reuters, AP) ...The Pentagon spokesman said they plan to pay a ransom, "as soon as we can find a few Monopoly games."

]]> 1179@http://www.thisistrue.com/ Terrorism 2005-02-27T14:24:25-07:00 Four Military Careers Partially "Choppered" http://www.thisistrue.com/chopper.html So much for the concept of "the difference between men and boys is the cost of their toys"! They may have a multi-million-dollar toy, but these guys are definitely still boys. from True's 14 November 2004 issue:

]]> 1173@http://www.thisistrue.com/ Photo 2004-11-15T14:42:20-07:00 Military Brattiness http://www.thisistrue.com/milbrat.html I have very often mentioned my military readers over the years, including more recently those aboard ships at sea, thanks to their satellite mail connections. So I was a tad surprised to get this note in January, 2003:

  • Please, Sir, will you do a special issue for the men & women, my siblings, that are about to go to conventional war and those now serving in the war on terrorism? Many of them have 'net access, even while deployed. I feel that something especially for them would be especially appreciated. I know from personal experience that every little bit of encouragement helps after you kiss the spouse good-bye and get 'in country'. I'm sure that my wife (disabled Viet Nam era US Army veteran) and my Dad (WWII US Navy combat veteran) would agree. --Stan, Texas

I reminded Stan that I have often featured military units in the past, and "if I have any 'reason' to do so again (e.g., a letter from someone in the field), I'll do so again. Sound good? Not to Stan it didn't. He replied:

]]> 1147@http://www.thisistrue.com/ Military 2003-02-15T10:05:50-07:00