The Havok Journal

I was preparing to deploy to Iraq when the thought bubbled up, out of nowhere.Maybe Ill die in Iraq. I was surprised because my inner monologue was hopeful. A flicker of excitement kindled in my chestI didnt understand.Why?And the answer came just as quickly. I couldnt possibly do more if I was k...

In January 1969, the 3rd Marine Division was to begin its last major offensive operation of the Vietnam WarOperation Dewey Canyon. The operation lasted for almost three months. My outfit was Alpha Co, 1/9, also known as The Walking Dead. I was the forward air controller and had the job of calling...

I watched from a distance. I watched as tears ran down their faces. I watched as they wept over my lifeless body packed away in a pine sarcophagus. I watched as they grieved my resolution to their actions. Having taken my life to relieve the pain. To inflict upon them but an inkling of the pain t...

Gold Star sister, Melissa Ketchel honors her fallen brother, LCpl. Michael W. Hanks, KIA in Fallujah 11/17/2004 Melissas episode is available on the Urban Valor Podcast & YT channel. You can also read an article she wrote up about her brother Mike @havokjournal #marines #goldstar #fallen #warrior...

80 years ago today, 225 men from the 2nd Ranger Bn loaded ships and landing craft to storm the beaches of Normandy, and take 'the high ground' at Point Du Hoc.If they failed, it was believed that all of D-Day would have failed. Point Du Hoc was (and is) the only site from where German artillery f...

Uniting in Polarized Times: Veterans Leading the WayAs we celebrate the brave Warriors of D-Day - we find ourselves in a world where headlines scream division and polarizationwhether its about political affiliations, social justice debates, or cultural clashesits easy to feel overwhelmed and divi...

Do you ever stop to think about the impact that the eve of D-Day had on the families back at home?73,000 American sons, husbands, and fathers landed on Omaha Beach on that fateful day.73,000 American families.Our whole country was united in the war effort. Everyone felt the impact of the war with...

June 4My dear MumYou certainly won't get this letter until after the event, as it were, but I hope it won't be delayed too long. I am writing this on board the ship in which we go across. At the moment, of course, we are at anchor off the coast of England, surrounded by a great many other ships a...

Gold Star sister, Michelle Ketchel speaks on attending her brother, LCpl. Michael Hanks funeral after he was KIA on 11/17/2004 in Fallujah, Iraq Melissas episode is available on the Urban Valor YT channel, and in a written article at @havokjournal #marines #goldstar #kia #fallujah #sacrifice #ho...

Gold Star sister, Melissa Ketchel speaks on getting notified her brother, Marine LCpl. Michael W. Hanks, was KIA in Fallujah, Iraq on 11/17/2004 Mike was posthumously awarded the Silver Star for some incredible actions he took fighting in Fallujah where he disregarded the safety of his own life ...

Gold Star sister, Melissa Ketchel remembers her brother, LCpl. Michael W. Hanks, KIA 11/17/2004 in Fallujah, Iraq You can watch Melissa share her brother Mikes story on the Urban Valor YT channel #marines #memorialday #honor #sacrifice #military #neverforgotten #urbanvalor #story

Today is our nation's most expensive holiday. Most of us never got the chance to say goodbye to them. Forever young. Forever indebted!