Readers;

I will never forget where I was eight years ago this Friday when nearly 3,000 people were killed in a series of coordinated attacks upon the United States. The date was September 11, 2001 and I was stationed at Fort Bragg, NC with my family. I don't remember the exact time that Bragg was "locked down" but once it was, the line of cars trying to get on was literally miles long. Soldiers were abandoning their cars on the side of the road and were walking or running to get on post. To work. To help. To do their jobs.

President Bush designated September 11 of every year as Patriot Day. Webster's Dictionary says that a patriot is "one who loves his or her country and supports its authority and interests." So let's not only remember those that were lost on that day but also remember and honor those that were called to action by either their country or their conscious.

I am reminding and encouraging everyone to observe a moment of silence this Friday, beginning at 8:46 A.M. (Eastern Daylight Time), the time of the first plane crash on September 11, 2001.

http://www.september11news.com/

Stay safe.

Zach Taylor

Managing Editor, Blackwater Tactical Weekly
Please continue to submit your suggestions to btw@ustraining.com

- Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

NEW YORK (AP) - The Associated Press is distributing a photo of a Marine fatally wounded in battle, choosing after a period of reflection to make public an image that conveys the grimness of war and the sacrifice of young men and women fighting it.

I. MISTAKING BEAUTY FOR TRUTH

It's hard to believe now, but not long ago economists were congratulating themselves over the success of their field. Those successes - or so they believed - were both theoretical and practical, leading to a golden era for the profession. On the theoretical side, they thought that they had resolved their internal disputes.

Full Story

In Afghanistan, new teams of female U.S. Marines are trying to do something very few Western troops have ever done: Converse with Afghan women.

It's a daunting goal. The sexes are strictly segregated across much of the country, with female residents kept indoors. Tradition forbids any man who isn't related to a woman to see her, let alone talk to her.

Tip of the week:

When pressing the trigger "Smoothly" to the rear on (Double or Single) action pistols, remember do not interrupt the Sight Alignment/Sight Picture to assure an accurate hit..

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Tactical Equipment Evaluation

Anyone who has read my previous handgun reviews knows that I'm a fan of the .45ACP. It was my first duty weapon when I started my law enforcement career as an Army MP and has just always stayed at the top of my list. The Government Model 1911 was the most rugged gun I'd ever been exposed to until the Glocks came on strong in the late '80s. I soon fell in love with the Glock Model 36, single stack .45ACP. Now I've got a new handgun that I've learned to appreciate and I find myself in the debate: Glock 36? Or Kahr CW4543?

Full Story Can Be Viewed At:

http://www.borelliconsulting.com/evals/guns/g36vkcw4543.htm

Recreational Equipment Review

Whether you are driving to your campsite or hiking to your campsite (back-packing) there are a few neat little things that can make your camping trip a tad more comfortable or convenient. Of course, some of them don't make much sense to take unless you ARE driving to your campsite, but some others are lightweight, compact and worth about 1,000 times their weight in convenience. This week I wanted to take a look at a few of these items and attempt to put some sense of value on them.

Full Story Can Be Viewed At:

http://www.borelliconsulting.com/recevals/campback/handydandy.htm

WHAT CAN COME AFTER

WHAT WE HAVE SEEN AND EXPERIENCED!!!

There is a big controversy over a picture of a critically wounded Marine that was put on the wire by AP. The major concern was for the parents of the young Marine that it would cause them greater pain to know that the public was viewing the last sad moments of their child's life. I agree that it should not have been published because they requested that it not be published and Mr. Gates from the Pentagon requested that it not be published. May there be extra grace and peace ministered to the grieving parents.

http://www.ustraining.com/new/btw/Chaplain/090809chaplain.htm

Regulators and Physicians Raise Alarms About Dangerous Ingredients in Many Herbal Remedies

When Dan Gerkey was trying to get into better shape a few years ago, he tried out a dietary supplement from a local store that promised to help build his strength. At first, the stuff worked. But after several weeks the police officer, who lives in Fraser, Mich., started feeling exhausted, and his wife noticed a yellowish tinge in his eyes.

Full Story

Here are some links for charitable organizations.

The Blackwater Tactical Weekly does not endorse any organization over another nor encourage charitable contributions, we provide these links as a public service, and take no responsibility for the actual sites. Although we strive to validate the sites before linking we caution you to do your own research, as the internet is ripe with scams.

Thanking America's troops and their famlies with the gift of education

ThanksUSA is a non-partisan, charitable effort to mobilize Americans of all ages to "thank" the men and women of the United States armed forces. We're doing that by providing college, technical and vocational school scholarships for their children and spouses.

While two sisters, Rachel (10) and Kelsi (8), were on a family vacation in August 2005, they became fascinated with the appeal of treasure hunts. They were trying to locate the treasures hidden by Michael Stadther in his book, A Treasure's Trove, and they asked their parents about the historical basis for the clues in the movie, National Treasure. The girls wondered whether you could use the appeal of treasure hunts to get kids and their parents to support a national goal. Asked what that goal should be, the girls said they wanted to help the families of military troops. The girls had already sent care packages from school and church and they had written letters to the soldiers, but they wanted to do something more.

The family discussion turned into the idea of creating a national treasure hunt game, based on American history and American values, which could encourage Americans to "thank" the troops through contributions and activities. After researching what programs are available to troops and their families, they decided to establish a scholarship program for the children and spouses of American troops using private, corporate and federal funding. Ultimately, both the treasure hunt and the scholarship program were grouped under the moniker of ThanksUSA, short for "Treasure Hunt Aiding Needs of Kids and Spouses of those serving the United States of America."

Kelsi and Rachel were a team from the start. Rachel sketched out the logo and Kelsi chose the colors. Kelsi recommended states to focus on, and Rachel researched the history and trivia of those states. They both approached their teacher, Carolyn Ferek, at the start of the 2005-06 school year to seek her help in designing the treasure hunt. In February 2006, with the clues array nearly complete (including contributions from their parents, their teacher, a historian and others), and the scholarship program also coming together, Rachel wrote a five-page essay that nicely portrays the whole enterprise. Read Rachel's school essay to get her thoughts first-hand.

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