Bruce McQuain took a special trip last week and it inspired him to tell us the story of the men and women who make Operation Continuing Promise possible.

It is an operation that will continue in various forms in the future. It is a tremendous and praiseworthy effort that I think needs to be given the visibility it richly deserves.

But there is an irony here you can’t escape. And it has to do with a warship on a humanitarian mission. On the surface, it doesn’t seem to be a fit. But when you dig into it a little you realize that the Kearsarge is a perfect instrument for this sort of work, but not for the reason you might think.

Because she was built to carry United States Marines to war and support them, she has the hospital facilities necessary to treat children and change their lives forever.

Because she was built to carry United States Marines to war and support them, she has the equipment such as Landing Craft and heavy lift helicopters, to move construction materials and equipment to build instead of destroy.

Because she was built to carry United States Marines to war and support them, she provides a platform for humanitarian non-governmental organizations to reach areas in need that they never previously were able to reach.

Because she was built to carry United States Marines to war and support them, she is superbly capable of providing the humanitarian care so many in the developing world so badly need and perhaps, by doing so, she may not have to carry those Marines to war as often as they might otherwise have to go.

That is the hope of Operation Continuing Promise, and that is why it is both an important and worthwhile mission.

The Someone You Should Know radio collaboration began as an extension of Matt Burden’s series at Blackfive. Thanks to Matt, Bruce is now on board and we are lucky to have him as part of the show.

There is more information on Bruce’s trip here . Danny Glover of Eyeblast.tv was rolling,

What is Pundit Review Radio?

Pundit Review Radio is where the old media meets the new. Each week Kevin and Gregg give voice to the work of the most influential leaders in the new media/citizen journalist revolution. Called “groundbreaking” by Talkers Magazine, this unique show brings the best of the blogs to your radio every Sunday evening from 7-10 pm EST on AM680 WRKO, Boston’s Talk Station.

Bruce McQuain told us an amazing story of bravery tonight, that was spun as a defeat by the MSM, but was anything but. Bruce contrasts AP coverage of a recent attack on US troops in Afghanistan with the reporting of Steve Mraz of Stars & Stripes and Independent milblogger Jeff Emanuel, who sums it up this way,

Perhaps the most important takeaway from that encounter, though, is the one that the mainstream media couldn’t be bothered to pay attention long enough to learn: that, not for the first time, a contingent of American soldiers that was outnumbered by up to a twenty-to-one ratio soundly and completely repulsed a complex, pre-planned assault by those dedicated enough to their cause to kill themselves in its pursuit.

That kind of heroism and against-all-odds success is and has been a hallmark of America’s fighting men and women, and it is one that is worthy of all attention we can possibly give it.”

This is truly an amazing, inspirational and moving story about men with a level of bravery and courage that I will never be able to fully comprehend. You don’t want to miss this one.

A special thanks to Mary Ann of Soldiers Angels Germany for making us aware of this story.

The Someone You Should Know radio collaboration began as an extension of Matt Burden’s series at Blackfive. Thanks to Matt, Bruce is now on board and we are lucky to have him as part of the show. All of our interviews are also available for download at iTunes and Podcast Alley via the Pundit Review Radio Podcast.

What is Pundit Review Radio?

Pundit Review Radio is where the old media meets the new. Each week Kevin and Gregg give voice to the work of the most influential leaders in the new media/citizen journalist revolution. Called “groundbreaking” by Talkers Magazine, this unique show brings the best of the blogs to your radio every Sunday evening from 7-10 pm EST on AM680 WRKO, Boston’s Talk Station.

Recently, Bruce McQuain profiled Marine Sgt. Merlin German as part of our Someone You Should Know series. Last night we welcomed Brian Guerra, director of Merlin’s Miracles, the charity that carries his legacy forward.

Known by those who treated him as “Miracle Man”, Merlin German had a vision to help burned children and their families. He wanted the foundation to be named “Merlin’s Miracles”. Sgt. German understood how critical the support he’d received from charities like the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund and Soldier’s Angels had been to his recovery, and he wanted to provide the same type of support for children who were burn victims.

Someone You Should Know: Marine Sgt. Merlin German

Here’s how you can help:

info@merlinsmiracles.com

Merlin’s Miracles
4319 Medical Dr., Ste 131 - 352
San Antonio, TX 78229-3325

Bruce McQuain from QandO joined us tonight for another edition of Someone You Should Know. This week, he told us the story of Spc. Micheaux Sanders,

Sanders said he did his best, standing exposed to the enemy in one of the tank’s hatches and firing whatever he or his fellow crewmembers could find. A round struck Sanders in the arm, slicing straight through his shoulder and out the other side, but he says he barely noticed, waving off the medics who tried to come to his aid.

When the bullets ran out, Sanders still wouldn’t give up. “I threw whatever I had at them,” he said. “When we ran out of bullets, I threw rocks.”

Sanders was awarded the Silver Star when the 1st Armored Division was welcomed home to Germany in October.

The Someone You Should Know radio collaboration began as an extension of Matt Burden’s series at Blackfive. Thanks to Matt, Bruce is now on board and we are lucky to have him as part of the show. All of our interviews are also available for download at iTunes and Podcast Alley via the Pundit Review Radio Podcast.

What is Pundit Review Radio?

Pundit Review Radio is where the old media meets the new. Each week Kevin and Gregg give voice to the work of the most influential leaders in the new media/citizen journalist revolution. Called “groundbreaking” by Talkers Magazine, this unique show brings the best of the blogs to your radio every Sunday evening from 7-10 pm EST on AM680 WRKO, Boston’s Talk Station.

In the latest edition of Someone You Should Know, Bruce McQuain from QandO told us about Navy Cross recipient Lance Corporal Todd Corbin

When you read of this young man’s heroics, remember when this happened he was a Lance Corporal and a driver. The fact that he assessed the situation, realized he had to take charge and did so is a testament to both his courage and Marine Corps training. His successful defense of his position and the rescue and evacuation of his comrades is a remarkable feat, deserving of the Navy Cross.

The Someone You Should Know radio collaboration began as an extension of Matt Burden’s series at Blackfive. Thanks to Matt, Bruce is now on board and we are lucky to have him as part of the show. All of our interviews are also available for download at iTunes and Podcast Alley via the Pundit Review Radio Podcast.

What is Pundit Review Radio?

Pundit Review Radio is where the old media meets the new. Each week Kevin and Gregg give voice to the work of the most influential leaders in the new media/citizen journalist revolution. Called “groundbreaking” by Talkers Magazine, this unique show brings the best of the blogs to your radio every Sunday evening from 7-10 pm EST on AM680 WRKO, Boston’s Talk Station.

Bruce McQuain from QandO joined us tonight for another edition of Someone You Should Know. This week, he told us the inspirational story of Marine Sgt. Merlin German,

More than a year after Sgt. Merlin German nearly died in a roadside bombing in Iraq, his hands burned into nubs and his body in a wheel chair, he resolved to walk into his San Antonio church on his own two feet.

His mother, Lourdes German, who had been “his hands and feet” since that day in February 2005, worried but knew it would be so. “Everything he did, he did himself,” Mrs. German, said. “That parish was just overjoyed. The pastor even stopped preaching to welcome Merlin.”

At this point in the story, you’re saying to yourself,” what a phenomenal young man.” He beat the longest odds you can imagine, did it with courage and grace and, as Dr. Renz said, inspired others during his ordeal.

But that wasn’t enough for Merlin German. The young man who had willed himself out of his wheelchair and onto his feet so he could walk into church had more work to do.

Known by those who treated him as “Miracle Man”, Merlin German had a vision to help burned children and their families. He wanted the foundation to be named “Merlin’s Miracles”. Sgt. German understood how critical the support he’d received from charities like the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund and Soldier’s Angels had been to his recovery, and he wanted to provide the same type of support for children who were burn victims.

The Someone You Should Know radio collaboration began as an extension of Matt Burden’s series at Blackfive. Thanks to Matt, Bruce is now on board and we are lucky to have him as part of the show. All of our interviews are also available for download at iTunes and Podcast Alley via the Pundit Review Radio Podcast.

What is Pundit Review Radio?

Pundit Review Radio is where the old media meets the new. Each week Kevin and Gregg give voice to the work of the most influential leaders in the new media/citizen journalist revolution. Called “groundbreaking” by Talkers Magazine, this unique show brings the best of the blogs to your radio every Sunday evening from 7-10 pm EST on AM680 WRKO, Boston’s Talk Station.

Bruce McQuain from QandO joined us to tell the stroy of Silver Star recipient 1LT Stephen Boada,

In the hills of Afghanistan, a desperate fight raged as Marines fought to the death with the Taliban. One such engagement involved 1LT Stephen Boada. His story, as I’ve pointed out before, is illustrative of the tremendous responsibility young leaders bear in combat. Literally life and death rests on their every choice. And, as was 1LT Boada, they are constantly found worthy of that responsibility through their actions.

The Someone You Should Know radio collaboration began as an extension of Matt Burden’s series at Blackfive. Thanks to Matt, Bruce is now on board and we are lucky to have him as part of the show. All of our interviews are also available for download at iTunes and Podcast Alley via the Pundit Review Radio Podcast.

What is Pundit Review Radio?

Pundit Review Radio is where the old media meets the new. Each week Kevin and Gregg give voice to the work of the most influential leaders in the new media/citizen journalist revolution. Called “groundbreaking” by Talkers Magazine, this unique show brings the best of the blogs to your radio every Sunday evening from 7-10 pm EST on AM680 WRKO, Boston’s Talk Station.

Bruce McQuain from QandO joined us to “highlight a soldier who epitomizes the best in the contributions immigrants have made to the United States of America. Today we honor Master Sgt. Sarun Sar, a Cambodian immigrant, US citizen and Special Forces soldier who was awarded the Silver Star for action in Afghanistan.”

It is a much underappreciated fact that about half of the 60,000 immigrants serving in the military are noncitizens.

The Someone You Should Know radio collaboration began as an extension of Matt Burden’s series at Blackfive. Thanks to Matt, Bruce is now on board and we are lucky to have him as part of the show. All of our interviews are also available for download at iTunes and Podcast Alley via the Pundit Review Radio Podcast.

What is Pundit Review Radio?

Pundit Review Radio is where the old media meets the new. Each week Kevin and Gregg give voice to the work of the most influential leaders in the new media/citizen journalist revolution. Called “groundbreaking” by Talkers Magazine, this unique show brings the best of the blogs to your radio every Sunday evening from 7-10 pm EST on AM680 WRKO, Boston’s Talk Station.

A week late, but it’s worth the wait. Bruce McQuain from QandO joined us on Memorial Day with a special edition of Someone You Should Know.

The Someone You Should Know radio collaboration began as an extension of Matt Burden’s series at Blackfive. Thanks to Matt, Bruce is now on board and we are lucky to have him as part of the show. All of our interviews are also available for download at iTunes and Podcast Alley via the Pundit Review Radio Podcast.

What is Pundit Review Radio?

Pundit Review Radio is where the old media meets the new. Each week Kevin and Gregg give voice to the work of the most influential leaders in the new media/citizen journalist revolution. Called “groundbreaking” by Talkers Magazine, this unique show brings the best of the blogs to your radio every Sunday evening from 7-10 pm EST on AM680 WRKO, Boston’s Talk Station.

From the Pundit Review Archives, honoring our veterans…

Someone You Should Know : amazing stories of bravery, courage and heroism from the war on terror. The Someone You Should Know radio collaboration began as an extension of Matt Burden’s series at Blackfive. Thanks to Matt, Bruce McQuain, a Vietnam veteran who spent 28 years serving this country in the Army, is now on board and we are honored to have him as part of the show.

Soldiers Angels: an amazing group of volunteers who support the troops and the families they leave behind. If you are looking for ways to support the troops, pay them a visit.

The Walter Reed Interviews: what an honor to be able to go there and talk to our wounded warriors, their families and caregivers.

Navigating the VA: A Journey Without Maps: this is the unfortunate reality for too many military families.

Dylan Desilva and Cape Cod Cares for the Troops: a tireless, amazing young man who has inspired us to do more to support the troops.