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…
By Paul Conway Founder Paul J. Conway’s firefighting heritage runs deep through 3 generations. His father, the late Charles B. Conway, served 34 years with the New Berlin, WI Fire Department (21 of them as Fire Chief). Following his father’s footsteps, Paul extended the family legacy from New Berlin to the Milwaukee, WI Fire Department,…
Moses said to the people, “Do not dread, but stand still, and see the great works of God… The Lord will fight for you, but you must keep still.” (Exodus 14:13-24) Stand still. Not as a stone, not as the dull weight of worry nailed to the earth, but as a mountain stands—rooted yet alive,…
Donovan presenting Stephenson with the Medal of Merit in 1946. Photo courtesy of The Intrepid Society, William Stephenson CC MC DFC, famously known by his codename “Intrepid,” played a pivotal role in the formation of the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) during World War II. As a British intelligence officer and the head of the…