Lucky Us…

We have power. As of this afternoon, there are still six hundred thousand without that boon, in Maryland alone. Lucky us. Stores are closed, or selling dry goods only, using generator power. Gas stations that have power (and still have gas) have lines around the block. And the power companies are saying that they might be at 90% restored by the week’s end. Yeah, a hurricane-style  hit to the region without warning, without the ability to call in out-of-state help in advance, and pre-position assets really sucks. But temps are staying in the high 90’s through at least the fourth. Sucks to be without power and AC, and your food is rotting in the fridge.

Lucky us…

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Our condolences to the families, friends, and units of these fallen warriors:

• Maj. Paul C. Voelke, 36, of Monroe, New York, died Jun. 22 in Mazar E. Sharif, Afghanistan.
• Pfc. Steven P. Stevens II, 23, of Tallahassee, Florida, died June 22 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.
• Lance Cpl. Hunter D. Hogan, 21, of Norman, Indiana, died June 23 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.
• Lance Cpl. Niall W. Coti-Sears, 23, of Arlington, Virginia, died June 23 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.
• Staff Sgt. Matthew J. Leach, 29, of Ferndale, Michigan, died June 26, in Kandahar, Afghanistan.
• 1st Lt. Stephen C. Prasnicki, 24, of Lexington, Virginia, died June 27, in Maidan Shahr, Wardak province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his vehicle with an improvised explosive device.
• Sgt. James L. Skalberg Jr., 25, of Cullman, Alabama, died June 27, in Maidan Shahr, Wardak province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his vehicle with an improvised explosive device.