FReeper Canteen ~ Hall of Heroes: GEN David H. Petraeus ~ November 3, 2008

Serving The Best Troops And Veterans In The World | StarCMC and OUR TROOPS!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Our Troops Rock!  Thank you for all you do!

For the freedom you enjoyed yesterday... Thank the Veterans who served in The United States Armed Forces.

Looking forward to tomorrow's freedom? Support The United States Armed Forces Today!

~ Hall of Heroes ~

GEN David H. Petraeus
Part 1 - Personal life (Next week - Part 2: Miltary Career Pre-OIF)

Info from this website.

           

General Petraeus became commander of Centcom on October 31, 2008 in a ceremony at McDill AFB.  General Petraeus was Time's Person of the Year in 2007, and earned my respect when he told the truth about what is happening in Iraq before Congress.  We're going to take a 5 part look at who Gen. Petraeus is and what he's done.  He is indeed, a US Military Hero.

General David Howell Petraeus, USA (born November 7, 1952) is the current Commander, U.S. Central Command. He previously served as Commanding General, Multi-National Force - Iraq (MNF-I) from January 26, 2007 to September 15, 2008. As Commander of MNF-I, Petraeus oversaw all coalition forces in Iraq.  Petraeus assumed his current assignment on October 31, 2008.

Petraeus was the General George C. Marshall Award winner as the top graduate of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College—class of 1983. He subsequently earned a M.P.A. degree (1985) and a Ph.D. degree (1987) in International Relations from the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton University. He later served as Assistant Professor of International Relations at the U.S. Military Academy and also completed a fellowship at Georgetown University. He has a BS from the U.S. Military Academy—class of 1974—from which he graduated as a distinguished cadet (top 5% of his class).

A poll recently conducted by Foreign Policy and Prospect magazines selected Petraeus as one of the world's top 100 public intellectuals. And in April of this year, the Static Line Association named Petraeus as its 2008 Man of the Year. In 2007, Time named Petraeus one of the 100 most influential leaders and revolutionaries of the year as well as one of its four runners up for Time Person of the Year.  He was also named the second most influential American conservative by The Daily Telegraph[9] as well as The Daily Telegraph's 2007 Man of the Year and "America's most respected soldier" by Der Spiegel in 2008. In 2005, Petraeus was selected as one of America's top leaders by US News and World Report. Some news reports have speculated that Petraeus may have interest in running for the presidency. Despite these accounts, Petraeus has categorically stated that he has no political ambitions.

Petraeus was born in Cornwall-on-Hudson, New York, the son of Miriam (née Howell) and Sixtus Petraeus. His mother was American and his father was a sea captain who had emigrated to the United States from the Netherlands during the initial phase of World War II.  Sixtus settled in Cornwall on Hudson, where David Petraeus grew up and graduated from Cornwall Central High School in 1970. Residents called him 'Peaches' in reference to his often-mispronounced last name and the nickname stuck with him as a cadet.

Petraeus then went on to the U.S. Military Academy in nearby West Point. Petraeus was on the intercollegiate soccer and ski teams, was a cadet captain on the brigade staff, and was a "distinguished cadet" academically, graduating in the top 5% of the Class of 1974 (ranked 43rd overall). In the class yearbook, Petraeus was remembered as "always going for it in sports, academics, leadership, and even his social life."

Two months after graduation Petraeus married Holly Knowlton, a graduate from Dickinson College and daughter of Army General William A. Knowlton who was superintendent of the U.S. Military Academy (West Point) at the time. They have two grown children, Anne and Stephen.

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!

[brushcop]

WOAH!! Silver no less, I just have to be a leeeetle bit quicker....

[ConorMacNessa]

Aloha, Biglook! How goes it in Paradise?

Lamh Foistenach Abu!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Kate Smith ~ God Bless America

[Edgewood Pilot]

Proudly honoring this great General.

He is a role model to our own sons, sons of our neighbors and sons and daughters all over our great America.

Thank you Sir.

[Kathy in Alaska]

WOW....just WOW!! Thank you, Gen Petraeus, for your continued service to our country.

[ConorMacNessa]

FREEDOM ISN’T FREE!

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It is purchased with the blood of Patriots!

[Kathy in Alaska]

And rounding out the top 3....Nana Hope bags the bronze!!

[Kathy in Alaska]

[ConorMacNessa]

Thank God we have always produced, and continue to produce, men and women who will hazard all to preserve our freedom!

Lamh Foistenach Abu!

[Kathy in Alaska]

COIN TOSS - Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, flips a coin to see who get's the ball at the Army vs. Air Force football game at the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, N.Y., Nov. 1, 2008. The U.S. Air Force Academy "Falcons" defeated the U.S. Military Academy "Black Knights" 16-7. DoD photo by Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley

TACKLE AVOIDANCE - U.S. Air Force Academy quarterback Aster Clark attempts to avoid a tackle by U.S. Military Academy Black Knight defensive back Lowell Garthwaite in West Point, N.Y., Nov. 1, 2008. The Air Force defeated Army 16-7 in their annual gridiron battle. DoD photo by Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley

SALUTE - U.S. Army Gen. David H. Petraeus, right, and U.S. Navy Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, salute the colors during the playing of the national anthem at the U.S. Central Command Change of Command ceremony on MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., Oct. 31, 2008. Petraeus assumed command of CENTCOM from U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Martin E. Dempsey. U.S. Air Force Photo by Air Force Staff Sgt Joseph L. Swafford Jr.

[ConorMacNessa]

THE SOLDIER’S CODE

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The Soldier’s Code

1) I am an American fighting man. I serve in the forces which guard my country and our way of life. I am prepared to give my life in their defense.

2) I will never surrender of my own free will. If in command, I will never surrender my men while they still have the means to resist.

3) If I am captured, I will continue to resist by all means available. I will make every effort to escape and aid others to escape. I will accept neither parole nor special favors from the enemy.

4) If I become a prisoner of war, I will keep faith with my fellow prisoners. I will give no information or take part in any action which might be harmful to my comrades. If I am senior, I will take command. If not, I will obey the lawful orders of those appointed over me, and will back them up in every way.

5) When questioned, should I become a prisoner of war, I am bound to give only name, rank, service number, and date of birth. I will evade answering further questions to the utmost of my ability. I will make no oral or written statements disloyal to my country and its allies, or harmful to their cause.

6) I will never forget that I am an American fighting man, responsible for my actions, and dedicated to the principles which made my country free. I will trust in my God and in the United States of America.

President Dwight D. Eisenhower, August, 1955.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, Mac...a good weekend? I see Navy won. What a comeback!!

[ConorMacNessa]

A good weekend, thanks! How are things going with you this evening?

Lamh Foistenach Abu!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, brushcop....a good weekend for you? Gen Petraeus has been, and continues to be, a terrific leader.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thanks, Nana Hope, for today's Pledge. Thanks, AfghanMan and Penguin Girl, for your service to America.

[BIGLOOK]

Aloha Doc!

All things considered, fair to middlin' with a focus on the positive. (While we still have a choice.)

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, Sand....look at all those little people....boys AND girls!!

[acad1228]

Tunes For Da Troops!!!acad1228’s Daily Dose O’ Da Blues!Blind Boy Fuller

Blind Boy Fuller - I'm A Stranger Here
Click here to purchase music by Blind Boy Fuller

Buddy Guy and Jonny Lang -Midnight Train
Click here to purchase music by Jonny Lang

Delbert McClinton - Birmingham Tonight
Click here to purchase music by Delbert McClinton

Eric Clapton - Love in Vain
Click here to purchase music by Eric Clapton

Gary Moore - Still Got The Blues
Click here to purchase music by Gary Moore

Support the artists you hear in the Canteen (buy their music)!

(FReepmail me if you would like to be added to the "Daily Dose O' Da Blues" Ping List.)

[Tanniker Smith]

Good evening, Kathy!

Good evening, all!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, Sarge....how ya doing? Weaving? Swords? How did you and The Boy do in costume? Rake in the goodies?