FReeper Canteen ~ Hall of Heroes: Maj Marci Hodge ~ 15 January 2018

Serving The Best Troops and Veterans In The World !! | StarCMC and The Canteen Crew

[Kathy in Alaska]

 

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Thank the Veterans who served
in The United States Armed Forces.

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---

~ Hall of Heroes ~

Marci Hodge

Info from here.

           

"In this job, you find out what you're made of; if you can hack it or not."

Recently promoted to Major, Marci Hodge knows a thing or two about what she's made of. She's spent ten years in the Army; 5 years on Active duty and another 5 so far in the Reserve. She returned from Camp Victory in Iraq, her second deployment, a couple of years ago.

"I'm not interested in reliving traumatic events. The job is to create stability and win hearts and minds," expressed Hodge, who spent 8 months in theater this last time.

MAJ Hodge, who served as Division Humanitarian Assistance Officer as well as the Battalion Sustainment Chief for the 401st Civil Affairs Battalion, is a logistician and civil affairs officer; simply put, "I can move anything," she said, like thousands of fourth and fifth grade level books for school children that the Department of State had been previously trying to move from Jordan to Iraq for the last few years with no luck.

Or such as in Iskandiayh, one of the 14 different locations her battalion covered in Iraq, where she worked on a project with local government to get a completely staffed plant that had survived the war back to fully functioning capacity. Working with one of the facility's managers- one of the few who spoke English at the plant- MAJ Hodge's team on the ground even helped establish organizational practices and human resources, bringing in corporate mentors from the United States.

Her team worked to ensure that the plant would be in a position to operate without the U. S.'s assistance in the future. They brought in older generators to their Forward Operating Base that the Army no longer needed but had the potential to refurbished, and presented the plant with and its employees with their first large project post-war. Local Iraqi truck drivers were also employed to transport the refurbished generators.

"It put folks back to work," said MAJ Hodge, citing at least a thousand workers associated with the local Iraqi plant's operations.

And it's the "folks" she's interacted with that have made the most significant impression on MAJ Hodge, including the Iraqi locals.

"People matter regardless of where they are," she said slowly, emphasizing that people are the same despite miles of ocean and geographic boundaries.

MAJ Hodge, awarded the Bronze Star for her meritorious service in Iraq, identified it as a "human connection" one that allows people to relate and help one another.

And according to MAJ Hodge, one would be hard-pressed to find "more amazing people" to work with than the American troops she's served alongside while in the Army, able to overcome the inevitable obstacles and disappointments that occur while deployed with camaraderie and hard work.

"It's your duty to give back," said Hodge. "You give it everything you've got."

Please remember the Canteen is here to honor, support and entertain our troops and their families.  This is a politics-free zone!  Thanks for helping us in our mission! 

[luvie]

That does sound better. LOL! I was thinking of looking at the stars and the moon with the telescope, though. Here it just sits. Too much light and too many trees around for a clear view of the night sky.

[radu]

We have some that get in spats too. It’s just what they do. Usually they stop when I holler at them. If they don’t, I pop butts.

They’re like little kids ..... that never grow up. LOL

[radu]

Yeah, it does help to have a clear shot to see the moon and stars with the telescope. Trees and streetlights do put a damper on that.

What’s neat is to aim the scope at a spot that looks blank. Look and there are a gazillion stars in view.
I imagine in space, where there’s no atmosphere, it must be an amazing sight.

[MS.BEHAVIN]

Tigermaus was very happy when I got home, because he gets a treat always, when I return from somewhere.
He is currently hogging my recliner chair!

I bought him a dog toy, because he’s too tough on kitty toys.
(he’s 8 lbs 11 oz at 8 months)
It’s a stupid kola bear looking thing with an elongated body, and has a squeak toy in it.
He LOVES that!

[luvie]

They sure are...ornery little kids! Who don’t mind very well. LOL!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Lucky Tigermaus...a new toy, AND with a squeaker in it.

He is a BIG boy!!

[radu]

Some dog toys are more fun for cats than cat toys. Years ago, I got a smallish stuffed hippo from someone for the cats and a few of them loved it. No squeaky to it but they pick it up and cart it through the house and/or “wrestle” with it. It’s a little ratty these days but they still play with it.

Tigermaus is lucky. Our cats only get kitty treats when they take medicine. Makes it a more positive experience for them so they’re better at taking their meds.
Poor Churchill can’t have them any more since his kidneys are conking out. Too much protein. :-(

Every once in a while, I toss a bunch across the floor and give the others a shot at a goodie. It’s fun watching them scramble. LOL

[radu]

Don’t mind well is an understatement. LOL

What really irks me is when they’re doing something they aren’t supposed to do and tell them to stop. Most of these stinkers will look at me and keep doing it ...... until I get up to give them a pop.

Brats!!!!

[ROCKLOBSTER]

I imagine in space, where there’s no atmosphere, it must be an amazing sight.

You don't have to imagine. Search for imagery from the Hubble telescope.

[radu]

Ooooooh, I’ve done that a few times. LOL! Stunning, no doubt about that. I’ve saved several and swap them out from time to time as my desktop wallpaper.

But to be in space and see all the stars with one’s own eyes .........

The thought gives me goose bumps.

[MS.BEHAVIN]

*HUG*
Hi Ma!
Would you like to have a nice pastry?
I have apple pie too!
Oh, and coconut ice cream!
Anything sound good to you?

Yes, he IS lucky!
LOL
Ya, he’s a VERY big boy for his age.
It’s the Maine Coon in him, I think.

[E.G.C.]

A very pleasant good Monday morning to everyone at the Canteen and to all our military at home and abroad. Thanks for your service to our country.

((HUGS))Good morning, Ladies. Thanks for this morning's thread, Star. How's it going?

[luvie]

Brats indeed. They are thinking....dude, we are not dogs. LOL!

Guess I’d better go. 2 early mornings in a row has my eyelids drooping!

See ya tomorrow! I might have to take one more look at the beautiful starry night in WY. :)

[radu]

“Brats” is in their genetic makeup. LOL
But as aggravating as they can be, we still love ‘em don’t we?

Good night and sleep well. Enjoy your warm day tomorrow!

[MS.BEHAVIN]

LOL
Do you mind me asking what type of food I should be purchasing for him now that he has been neutered?
I lost my beautiful bob tailed Tom Kat to cystitis(?)years ago.
I can’t remember what kind of food,
Would you mind sharing with me?

[MS.BEHAVIN]

Okay gang!
I’m off to me bedchamber!
Love to all and hugs alla round!

[radu]

I feed our cats Purina Cat Chow - - the regular Cat Chow.

As for the canned food they each get a little bit of each day, I feed them Friskies. If you choose another brand, the thing you need to watch for is the ash content. It’s listed with the ingredients. The lower, the better. That’s the culprit regarding cystitis. Learned that from a vet years ago when I was having a lot of trouble with cats getting cystitis. I get food that has 3% or less, preferably less. It’s in canned food, not the dry.

I’ve had rare problems with cystitis since I’ve stuck with Cat Chow and Friskies and it’s been over 20 years now.

[radu]

Good night and sleep well, MS.B.
Pile up those comforters!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Has he brought you any”presents” yet?

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good night and rest well, MS B...*HUGS*
Thanks for all you do for our troops.