Happy One Year Anniversary!
Has it been one year already?
Yep, I launched this site this week last year and have been consistently writing and posting for the site since. So why did I start this site?
I need a platform if I am going to be a professional writer someday. Right?
That is what the experts say. But this site is more than just a platform for me—it is how I express myself. It provides me the ability to publish my work now through my blog posts. The site allows me to tell stories and share what I think is important and relevant in my world. Plus writing for the site makes me happy.
So let’s take a look at some stats for the year:
First subscriber: Pam Garrity
First commenter: Ginger Moran
Thank you, ladies!
Subscribers: 775
Comments: 2,358(Non Spam)
I really have nothing to compare these numbers with. I believe … Read More »
Top Military Dog Pictures of the Year
So this week is my anniversary on one year since I launched this www.khanrahan.com. It has been a crazy year and I’ve learned a ton.
I’ve also had the opportunity to connect with some fabulous people- thank you.
On Thursday (the actually one anniversary) there will some new designs to the site. The sliders on the entry page to the site will be new and will rotate adding a fresh new look to the site.
My goal is to make the dog team stories easier to find and navigate. So you can read one story from start to finish (or were we are in the story).
I’ll also add other storylines such as my journey from the idea of writing a book to becoming an agented author. (Hopefully this … Read More »
Skills not Gender are What Matter in the Military
When I wrote my first post, Women Shouldn’t be In Combat, supporting women in combat I was quite nonchalant about it. I wanted to poke fun at what I believe is an antiquated way of thinking. To me women in combat aren’t a big deal. On the ground, in combat we are pretty much past that point already.
I’m an Army officer and have worked with and witnessed women successfully serving in every capacity allowed on today’s battlefield.
But the post received a ton of attention so I wrote another addressing the reasons why folks were against women in combat. That post, Reason Women Shouldn’t be in Combat Units received even more attention than the first and I continued to receive arguments against my position.
So wrote a third post titled, Here are More Reasons Why Women Have no … Read More »
A Marine- After the Death of his Working Dog in Afghanistan
Two weeks ago I posted the heart wrenching story of Marine Working Dog Archie written by Lawrence Dabney. Here is the second part of the story.
Corporal Cluver and his fellow Marines, after Archie saved their life.
The kennels at Camp Hanson, the marine headquarters for Marjeh district, have been named in Archie’s honor. They currently house four of the thirteen dogs attached to 3/6 Marines and their two extra companies. The other nine reside with their handlers’ units at other bases across the district. Staff Sergeant Ricky Allen supervises the dogs and their handlers, all of whom underwent weeks of specialized training to establish a bond between the marine and their personal dog.
Corporal Cluver now works with a three year old female black lab named Jawdy, one of three dogs he tried working with at the provincial headquarters, Camp Leatherneck, after Archie … Read More »
Military Working Dogs Deserve a Snow Day
Staff Sgt. Mark Bush, 8th Security Forces Squadron military working dog handler, takes a break from validation training with Iian, 8th SFS military working dog, at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Jan. 4, 2012. The Wolf Pack enjoyed their first snow day of the year. (Photo by Senior Airman Brittany Auld)
Do you ever just need a snow day?
I know I do!
It looks like our Military Working Dogs are no different!
Did you get a change to read the latest update on the Canine Member of the Armed Service Act? If not click here.
In case you missed or want to revisit a prior week’s military dog picture of the week. Here are the most recent links
Did Senator John McCain Cut the Military Working Dog Legislation?
There has been a lot of confusion and misinformation about the Canine Members of the Armed Service Act.
The original act, sponsored by Congressmen Walter Jones (R-NC) and Senator Blumenthal (D-CT), addressed three main tenets of Military Working Dog rights:
1. Retirement and Adoption of Military Working Dogs:
Authorizes the Secretary of the appropriate military department to transport retiring military working dogs to the 341st Training Squadron or another suitable location for adoption, if no suitable adoption is available at the military facility where the dog is located.
2. Veterinary Care for Retired Military Working Dogs:
Directs the Secretary of Defense to establish and maintain a system to provide for the veterinary care of retired military working dogs beginning on the date on which the dog is adopted.
3. Recognition of Service of Military Working Dogs:
Directs the Secretary of Defense to create a decoration or other … Read More »
War Zone Puppies That Will Make You Smile
An Afghan and coalition force arrested a Taliban leader in Narh-e Saraj district, Helmand province, Dec. 24, 2012. The detained Taliban leader coordinated direct fire and improvised explosive device attacks against Afghanistan officials. (DoD photo by U.S. Army Spc. Matthew Hulett)
I saw the above picture the other day and immediately smiled! Here are a few more that will warm your heat.
An Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Taliban leader in Nahr-e Saraj district, Helmand province, Dec. 24, 2012. The detained Taliban leader coordinated direct fire and improvised explosive device attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. He directed the assassinations of Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan officals. (DoD photo by U.S. Army Spc. Matthew Hulett)
U.S. Army Spc. Tommie Collier, from San Antonio, Texas, a veterinarian specialist assigned to the 72nd Medical Detachment, … Read More »
A Marine and his Dog
August 9th dawned scalding and dry across the Marjeh district of Helmand province, Afghanistan. In the blocks, a fertile swath of land watered by a canal network stretching dozens of square kilometers, farmers roused their mules early in order to complete ploughing before their relatives came visiting for Ramadan. A convoy of marines, accompanied by Afghan Local Police, rattled down a dusty strip between fields known as Panther road.
Corporal David Cluver and his black lab, Archie, sat in the back of one the humming tan personnel carriers that rumbled through the western blocks that morning. They were on their way to set up a vehicle checkpoint, to count cars and see how many travelers would be passing through the region during the Muslim holy month. Archie, three and a half years old, bore the uncomfortably nested acronym-title of … Read More »
2012 Year in Review
2012 will absolutely be a year I will never forget. Full of trials, tribulations—tragedy and celebration, this year was a rollercoaster for my family and me. During a layover a few days before Christmas I was pondering this crazy year. Actually I was making laps with a stroller through the Chicago Airport trying to keep someone (#1 on this list) occupied during a layover and my mind wandered like it always does. What resulted is the list below of the nine most significant things to happen to me this year.
#9: Became homeless. Well, not exactly, but it sort of felt like that. My childhood home in Whitman, Massachusetts went out of our family this summer. WOW! the memories at that place! Of course, I am happy for my mom. She didn’t need the hassle of managing a … Read More »
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