The Day After Christmas by Donavon L Riley Christmastide is not the end of joy, but its slow unfolding, where the heart, now still, picks up the story of the birth, beyond the fever of the feast.— D. +++ The day after Christmas is like the frost on the far side of a winter storm—an arrival.…
By Michael Kurcina Mike credits his early military training as the one thing that kept him disciplined through the many years. He currently provides his expertise as an adviser for an agency within the DoD. Michael Kurcina subscribes to the Spotter Up way of life. “I will either find a way or I will make…
LTC Serge Obolensky and his OSS team. U.S. Archives. Prince Serge Obolensky, born Sergei Platonovich Obolensky Neledinsky-Meletzky on November 3, 1890, in Tsarskoye Selo, Russia, led a life that was nothing short of extraordinary. From his aristocratic roots in Russia to his daring exploits as an operative for the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) during…
Portrait of Miyamoto Musashi. Circa before 1645 (Edo Period). Kumamoto Prefectural Museum of Art. Recently there have been people getting on in the world as strategists, but they are usually just sword-fencers.” — Miyamoto Musashi, “A Book of Five Rings” Miyamoto Musashi’s wisdom remains timeless. A legendary Japanese swordsman, philosopher, and strategist, Musashi is renowned…
I originally hoped to publish this review pre Black Friday, so that the reader could take advantage of the Military 1st sales and holiday deals. But the reality is that their prices are amazing all year and the seasonal sales are still going. Not to mention the amazing selection which can…
The famous duel between the sword master Miyamoto Musashi (left) and Sasaki Kojiro (Ganryu) at Ganryu-jima island. Yoshifusa Utagawa, 1843. It is said the warrior’s is the twofold Way of pen and sword, and he should have a taste for both Ways. Even if a man has no natural ability, he can be a warrior…
The Feast They Cannot Flee by Donavon L Riley Even those who mock the manger and deny the birth find themselves bound to its story, their lights and wreaths, their gifts and feasts, all echoing a joy they cannot name and a truth they cannot escape. — D. +++ At the heart of this season…
In this turning, where cold hands thaw and broken bodies rise, There is a fire kindled not by our own striving, But from the heart of Love, who walked among us, Bearing the weight of both womb and world to bring us home. — D. + This is the month of unbound cheer. The bondsman…
When I reached out to Benchmade’s reps to review a small knife suitable for federal buildings, they introduced me to their Immunity series, which includes the Full, Auto, and Partial Immunity knives, all featuring blade lengths at or under 2.5″. Some critics claim that small-blade knives are just glorified box cutters, but that’s not the…
NORAD Tracks Santa Operations Center 2007. NORAD Public Affairs, Sgt. 1st Class Gail Braym. The NORAD Santa Tracker, a beloved holiday tradition, has its roots in the Cold War era. What began as a simple mistake turned into a powerful tool for boosting morale during a time of heightened tensions between the United States and…