Paws on the Ground: A Military Program Inspires a Novel
Rin Tin Tin meets the Hurt Locker. Paws on the Ground is a novel about US soldiers and the dogs who protect them.
Caleb, Megan and Ramon are young Americans who are fighting for the US in the treacherous and alien terrain of Afghanistan — and Brady, Sammy, and Chica are the dogs who stand between them and death or terrible injury.
This is a novel about the true and ancient bonds of friendship, love, and loyalty as they are tested in the world of modern warfare.
What is “Paws on the Ground?” It’s what the United States Forces – Afghanistan Provost Marshal Office began calling the military working dogs program in Afghanistan when asked…..which was pretty much daily. It was a joke at first but caught on quickly, so they rolled with it.
Paws on the Ground is a play on the term … Read More »
Marc and Anax
A bad feeling
Specialist Marc Whittaker and Anax had been in Afghanistan for about five months, loaned out to various units that wanted their bomb-sleuthing capabilities. The July Fourth mission was to clear the route to a combat outpost before logistics resupplied it. Whittaker and Anax along with some U.S. infantry soldiers and engineers and a group of Czech explosives specialists — about 30 men and one dog — left while it was still dark.
“Before the mission, I had a bad feeling,” Whittaker said. “You still have to do it. I’m a soldier and I have to drive on.”
They arrived at the post without incident after a few hours, with the convoy following. After checking out a report of unexploded ordnance in a nearby town, the group returned to take up position above the first town, to provide cover as the logistics … Read More »
Do you know a “Major” Pain In The Ass?
I’ve been reading Karl Marlantes New York Times Best Selling novel, Matterhorn for a few weeks now (It’s a long book, so lay off me!). The novel is about a unit of Marines in the Vietnam War. I met Karl at the James River Writers Conference in Richmond this past fall. He is a great American, Marine, and author. If you’re looking for something to add to your reading list, I highly recommend his books.
http://www.amazon.com/Karl-Marlantes/e/B00383K10U
There was something in the book that stirred me and made my mind race: Corporal Aran and his faithful German Shepherd scout dog, Pat. They are subjected to the same lack of food, water, and rest as the entire unit. Many of the men succumb to various ailments. Pat’s body completely shuts down. Corporal Aran carries his 75 pound dog through the dense jungle canopy. Much … Read More »
What makes a General Cry?
I wanted to share a Facebook post with you all that my buddy Steve recently put on his wall. Steve is currently serving with the First Cavalry Divsion in Afghanistan. I’m not going to add or modify anything. Steve already covered it all. Thanks for allowing me to share, Steve.
The 1st Cavalry Division Chaplain went to the hospital here in Afghanistan tonight with one of the Deputy Commanding Generals to pin a Purple Heart on a Soldier that was wounded this morning by an IED. The Chaplain was telling me that this young hero was severely injured, he was missing his left hand, one side of his face was completely torn apart, and his body was peppered with shrapnel.
Our General pinned the purple heart on the Soldier, then asked him if there was anything he could do for him before he was flown … Read More »
My Tweets
Recent Comments