Category Archives: Soldiers

Memorial Day and the war in Iraq.

Posted on May 30, 2011 by Barbara Dillon Hillas

Walter Russell Mead writes a moving account, reflecting on how to commemorate those who gave up their lives defending their country: The story of America’s victory over terror in Mesopotamia needs to be told. In justice to those who sacrificed … Continue reading →

Posted in Afghanistan, Iraq, Religion, Soldiers, War | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Memorial Day 2011.

Posted on May 30, 2011 by Barbara Dillon Hillas

As I wrote in 2008, Jessica’s letter to her Father sums it all up on this Memorial Day. Though written 7 years ago, it is timeless. Hi Daddy, Sorry I haven’t written to you in a while. A lot of … Continue reading →

Posted in Soldiers, War | Tagged , | Leave a comment

A cross in Afghanistan.

Posted on May 18, 2011 by Barbara Dillon Hillas

Father Robert Richardson from the UK finds a way to give his soldiers the crosses they yearn for in Patrol Base Shahzad. (Thanks to UK Forces in Afghanistan).

Posted in Afghanistan, Religion, Soldiers, United States, War | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

The hideous consequences of war: Soviet Rape of Berlin women.

Posted on May 9, 2011 by Barbara Dillon Hillas

Frederick Kempe explains the brutality: According to estimates extracted from hospital records, between 90,000 and 130,000 Berlin women had been raped during the last days of the war and the first days of Soviet rule – a soldiers’ expression of … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime, Germany, History, Human Rights, Soldiers, Soviet Union | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Little 3-year old Dillon.

Posted on May 1, 2011 by Barbara Dillon Hillas

Something to ponder, when we are feeling despondent: With the words “On behalf of the President of the United States, a grateful nation, and a proud Marine Corps, this flag is presented as a token of our appreciation for the … Continue reading →

Posted in Empathy, Soldiers, War | Tagged , | Leave a comment

The power of one: a tech-savvy teenager with a heart.

Posted on April 27, 2011 by Barbara Dillon Hillas

Richard “Ricky” Gilleland III manages to help the families of the fallen soldiers, and puts to shame bureaucrats and others who, either through malfeasance, inertia, or sheer lack of empathy, wounded the noble image of Arlington Cemetery: “May I ask … Continue reading →

Posted in Afghanistan, Blogging, Empathy, Iraq, Memories, Soldiers, Technology, War, Youth | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Of hearts and minds, battle and revolution, and Easter Uprisings.

Posted on April 24, 2011 by Barbara Dillon Hillas

Read Carl Prine’s fascinating “meditation” on the words “hearts and minds”, and their significance: On this Easter Sunday, hundreds of thousands of Americans in uniform stand on the parapets of occupation in Iraq and Afghanistan, nations once ruled by Templer’s … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Religion, Soldiers, United States, War | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Fallen Heroes in Afghanistan.

Posted on April 22, 2011 by Barbara Dillon Hillas

I have just come across a very sad blog that highlights individuals we ought to be very proud of and we ought to salute.  These young men and women have lost their lives, making the ultimate sacrifice for all of … Continue reading →

Posted in Afghanistan, Blogging, History, Soldiers, War | Tagged | Leave a comment

I shall never forget…

Posted on April 15, 2011 by Barbara Dillon Hillas

A long time ago, I was a member of the choir of a wonderful small school in Tokyo. Those were the days when many of the wounded soldiers of Vietnam were brought to Japan to heal. My choir teacher, who … Continue reading →

Posted in Japan, Soldiers, United States, War | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Thank you!

Posted on April 12, 2011 by Barbara Dillon Hillas

“I’m coming home”… via Farrell’s Fight.

Posted in Afghanistan, Iraq, Soldiers, War | Tagged , | Leave a comment

“Nazi war crimes as described by German soldiers”.

Posted on April 8, 2011 by Barbara Dillon Hillas

Spiegel Online magazine has a fascinating long article on the review by historian Sönke Neitzel and social psychologist Harald Welzer of 150,000 pages of transcripts of secretly recorded conversations with German prisoners of war.  The prisoners the Americans had were … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime, Empathy, Germany, Holocaust, Soldiers, World War II | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Experience in the theater…

Posted on April 8, 2011 by Barbara Dillon Hillas

…of war, that is.  I always find soldiers’ personal accounts to be my window into a foreign and dangerous world, that sometimes yields pleasant surprises.   I appreciate these wild internets for the opportunity to read others’ observations, and therefore, get … Continue reading →

Posted in Afghanistan, Blogging, Culture, Empathy, Soldiers, United Kingdom, War | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

A story of great leadership and example for all.

Posted on April 4, 2011 by Barbara Dillon Hillas

A 20-year old young lady leads 100 experienced soldiers and captures 17 insurgents!

Posted in Afghanistan, Gender, Soldiers, Youth | Tagged , | Leave a comment

The Military Child.

Posted on April 3, 2011 by Barbara Dillon Hillas

April is the month dedicated to celebrating and honoring the children whose parents are in the military: Military children’s sacrifices and contributions have risen to the forefront in recent years, Thompson said, as people have become increasingly aware of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Empathy, Soldiers, United States, War, Youth | Tagged , | Leave a comment

“An unusual state of affairs”, by Flt. Lt. Paul Winnister.

Posted on March 29, 2011 by Barbara Dillon Hillas

For a window into what the situation in Afghanistan is really like, I recommend reading an RAF officer’s insights on what it has been like to be posted in Helmand.  Here’s an excerpt: This is where I get to play … Continue reading →

Posted in Afghanistan, Blogging, Soldiers, War | Tagged , , | Leave a comment