Is this any way to treat a Hero?

It looks like our hero, Sgt. Dakota Meyer is being accused of alcohol abuse and being mentally unstable, most likely in retaliation for outing a company that is selling high powered rifle scopes to a country that makes it a habit of killing our soldiers. Namely, Pakistan.


It is generally the policy of businesses everywhere that extreme caution be used concerning the circumstances of a previous employee, lest you get sued.  BAE Systems doesn't seem too worried about that happening to them. 
If they can't prove their allegations, by say an arrest and conviction, then they take a serious risk of being named in a civil suit for slander and defamation of character. Such is the case here.


Whether their allegations are true or not, BAE needs to take a long, hard look at their Human Resources policies. What they've done is brought some very negative publicity to their company and opened the eyes of the public. 


I really hope that Sgt. Meyer gets the legal representation he deserves to not only clear his name, but to prove that BAE is selling out to the enemy....no doubt all in the name of the almighty dollar.

Marine Who Received Medal of Honor Fights Allegations He is Mentally Unstable

By OLIVIA KATRANDJIAN | ABC News – 19 hrs ago

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  Marine Who Received Medal of Honor Fights Allegations He is Mentally Unstable (ABC …

In September, President Obama awarded the Medal of Honor, the nation's most prestigious military award, to Sgt. Dakota Meyer, the marine who saved 36 of his comrades during an ambush in Afghanistan.

Obama called Meyer one of the most "down-to-earth guys that you will ever meet."

But today Meyer, 23, is having trouble getting a job because of allegations by defense contractor BAE Systems that he has a drinking problem and is mentally unstable. Meyer filed legal papers Monday claiming the allegations were in retaliation for objections he raised about BAE's alleged decision to sell high-tech sniper scopes to the Pakistani military.

After leaving active duty in May 2010, Meyer worked at Ausgar Technologies, a service-disabled veteran-owned small business in California, until April 2011.

"He exhibited a maturity for his age and an insightful capability to get the job done and provide recommendations to improve on what we are doing. I was very impressed while he was working for us. He was an outstanding employee," Tom Grant, a retired military naval officer and a senior program manager at Ausgar Technologies, told ABC News.

When asked about the allegations of mental instability and a drinking problem, Grant said, "While Meyer was working for me, I never saw evidence of either of those issues."

In March 2011, Meyer began working at BAE Systems, a British military contracting company, where he learned the company was trying to sell advanced thermal optic scopes to the Pakistani military.

"We are taking the best gear, the best technology on the market to date and giving it to guys known to stab us in the back," Meyer wrote to BAE Systems manager Bobby McCreight, his former co-worker, according to the lawsuit. "These are the same people killing our guys."

But BAE Systems is claiming that that decision is not up to them.

"The U.S. Department of State, not BAE Systems, makes the decision on what defense-related products can be exported. In recent years, the U.S. Government has approved the export of defense-related goods from numerous defense companies to Pakistan as part of the United States' bilateral relationship with that country," said Brian J. Roehrkasse, the vice president of public relations atBAE, in a statement.

In May 2011, Meyer gave his two weeks notice to BAE Systems and applied to return to Ausgar Technologies. He was approved by the U.S. government for the job, but the Ausgar hiring manager informed Meyer that he would not be hired because of allegations made by former marine McCreight.

Meyer is now suing McCreight for telling "the government program manager that Mr. Meyer should not be hired for reasons that are false and defamatory," according to Meyer's original petition.

According to Roehrkasse, BAE Systems strongly disagrees with Meyer's claims and intends to "vigorously defend [themselves] through the appropriate legal process."

A Congressional Medal of Honor award deserves so much better than this crap!


SEMPER FI, MARINE!

Off Duty Cop earns Award

FOLLOW UP TO:

Escapee on the Run
Lone Off Duty Cop Apprehends Escapee

Cpl. Joey Patsourakos
Williston, SC Police Dept.

On August 20, Cpl. Patsourakos was off duty when he single-handedly captured one Perry Sullivan, who was  the object of an intense 3 day manhunt after he had over powered a Georgia Deputy, stealing his guns and patrol car.

On Sept. 10, Patsourakos and his wife will travel to the Philadelphia area to accept the first ever Law Enforcement Cross from the American First Responder Institute Heraldry's inaugural fund raising event titled, "An Evening with Heroes."

The First Responder Institute Heraldry Facebook page extols itself as the first of its kind in recognizing first responders; "The American First Responder Institute of Heraldry recognizes the service and sacrifice of American First Responders. It accomplishes this mission by defining the requirements for the design, artistry, wearing, and display of the authorized medals, awards, decorations and appurtenances. It also provides accountability & quality control in the manufacturing and distribution of these awards."

Congratulations on a job well done, Corporal.  We salute you.

Col. Van Barfoot, True American Hero

Ret. Col. Van Barfoot, 90 years of age, veteran of WW II, Korea and Vietnam, and Congressional Medal of Honor recipient, lives in a modest residential community outside Richmond, VA.

Every morning at dawn, Col. Barfoot raises his American flag up a 21' flag pole that stands proudly in his front yard.  Every evening at dusk, he lowers that same flag and folds it tri-corner style.  Every day without fail, he dutifully carries out this ritual.

Col. Barfoot is a relatively new resident of this community and his daughter lives several houses away. The homeowners' association of this community hired an attorney who in turn sent Col. Barfoot a registered letter.  This letter told the Colonel that he had a specific amount of time to remove this pole or face legal action.  They cited their demand based on the Homeowner's Association covenants, prohibiting such things that are not "aesthetically pleasing."  How does one define that?  The letter further stated that if he continues to violate this order and fails to remove it by the deadline, he faces daily fines, court costs, and legal fees.

The Colonel's daughter told a local media station that this is physically upsetting her father.  He has been flying his flag on vertical poles as long as he can remember.  The Col. did try to play by the rules, seeking permission before erecting it.  The HOA denied it. When he wanted to appeal, they refused any type of further dialog.

Pictures of him and his home are all over the internet.  A facebook page has also been started on his behalf and as of the this time,  he has over 31,000 friends and supporters. That number continues to grow by the hour.
Numerous organizations have taken up his fight.  Attorneys have offered their assistance pro bono.  This man is a war hero of 3 wars, risking his life, taking prisoners and saving other lives in the process.  Why the hell can't he fly his flag on his own property?  How is flying the American flag on a 21' pole on his front yard an eye sore to others?


The home owner's association says it's not about the flag, but the flag pole.  They demand he conform to standards and do what every one else does.  Why the hell should he?  There is absolutely nothing in the HOA rules that expressly forbids free standing flagpoles.  I'm no attorney, but it's possible he's got a case.  I'm also thinking he's got a lot of friends in high places.
Senators, Governors, VFW, Veteran's Admin, Medal of Honor Society, Patriot Guard Riders, active and retired military personnel, hundreds of thousands strong, are coming to his defense.
 Friday, December 11 is his D-day for this hearing.  I am following this story closely.


Like a true soldier, he will fight for what is right.


Sir, thank you for fighting for our freedom.  We owe you a debt of gratitude.

Freedom to Display the American Flag Act of 2005










The Colonel's home




Footnote:  As of Dec. 8, the law firm of Coates and Davenport withdrew as attorneys representing the Essex Square Homeowner's Association.  
By late in the afternoon, the HOA issued a press release indicating that they would no longer seek legal action against the Colonel.  His flag pole could stay.
I just love happy endings.

HEROES ALL

The true meaning of courage under fire

Ft. Hood, TX

Once the shooting started, law enforcement had one mission and that was to subdue and take down, by whatever means necessary, an armed suspect who was perpetrating a massacre.

In the interim, many military personnel were attending to the wounded and seeking cover for themselves and others. They too put themselves in harm's way.

However, BOTH Sgt. Munley and Sgt. Todd, of the Ft. Hood PD, deserve full recognition for their acts of bravery and valor.