Private William Jonathon James Cushley

Photo courtesy Canadian Forces Image Gallery

http://www.combatcamera.forces.gc.ca/common/combatcamera/video_photo_e.asp


Private Cushley of the 1st Battalion Royal Canadian Regiment was killed while assaulting a Taliban position on September 3rd 2006 during Operation Medusa in Panjwai district west of Kandahar. Also killed at the same time were Sgt. Shane Stachnik, Warrant Officer Frank Robert Mellish, and Warrant Officer Richard Francis Nolan, all based at CFB Petawawa, Ont.

Cushley was from Port Lambton, Ontario just south 20 minutes from where I live and some of my co-workers knew him and his family. He was the first person from Lambton County killed in battle since 1945. He was 21.

To emphasis that war the costs of war include individuals not just statistics.

From a meme some of my American friends started:

I want you to do something.

I want you to go to this page, and pick a soldier. Pick one by state, pick one by your birthday, pick one by any reason. Just go ahead and pick one.

http://projects.washingtonpost.com/fallen/

Remember this life. Many were young, with years of living ahead of them. Many were older, and left behind grieving spouses and children. Just remember them. Remember how they died, and what they died for. They believed, else they wouldn't have been there. Respect that. Keep it in your heart. You and others live because this person died.

So pick one. Look at his age. Look at her hometown. Imaging the sacrifice they made. Imagine the grief, if you can, that their families feel every day.

Happy Brain Weasels Day!

In which you thank your friends for being your friends.

If only we could spend more time together.

From cjdoyle Spread the word:

Wow - what is it in the air lately? Post after filtered post about how everyone is feeling alone, disconnected, unwanted. It's not like this is one or two people - it's like a rash all over my friends list the past few days. Male, female, betwixt, undecided, unconcerned...it seems to be an equal opportunity Brain Weasel Invasion.

Clearly, something needs to be done.

I think we need to have a Brain Weasel Stomping Day.

The problem, as I've noted before, is "it's easier to see the Weasels when they're eating someone else's brain."

So. This is my call to my friends list, and to your friends list, and beyond. This Friday, make an effort to squish someone's Brain Weasel.

Have a crush on someone? Post a flirty comment in their journal. Admire someone's skills? Post a comment about it. Just think a person is nifty? This Friday is the time to tell them.

Doesn't matter if the post you're commenting to doesn't have much to do with your comment. Just post those good thoughts. Trust me. People will appreciate it.

Do this for everyone - not just those you suspect are feeling down (After all, you might not be on their Brain Weasel filter). Take a few minutes and help launch people into the weekend with a smile.

And...who knows? Maybe sharing how others make you happy will make you a bit more cheerful in return.

It's worth a try."