It has been a good run. One that we have very much enjoyed. This site opened this past August after having spent a good amount of time using the grandfather of blogging services, blogger.

Since August, we've seen the release of the Generals, the Chief moving out of the hell of the desert to Baghdad, the toy drive, news coverage, the chief coming home and more. It's sad to see it end.

But with that, we bid you a fond farewell.

Thanks for the memories.

Thanks for the fun.

Thanks for the hugs, the smiles, the tears and the laughs. We definitely had something good.

Good-bye.

AND HELLO TO THE BRAND NEW CHIEF WIGGLES WEBSITE!

Thanks to our good friend, someone we couldn't do without, Dean Esmay, Chief Wiggles is now on his own website! http://chiefwiggles.com YES! http://chiefwiggles.com 

Blog-City has been good to us, but it is time to be branded and have a website that is easy to remember. Right now, the new site is VERY basic. As time goes on, it will improve and get better. But, for all new posts, please go to the new site, once again, http://chiefwiggles.com!

We hope to see you all there!

Toy Drive Update

Containers delivered 3
Containers on the way 0
Containers being prepared: 1

Over 1800 packages delivered to Iraq
Over 1700 lbs delivered for FREE via FedEx (FedEx continues to help with various FREE deliveries!)

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR HELP AT THE SALT LAKE CITY WAREHOUSE. PLEASE EMAIL THE CHIEF IF YOU CAN HELP OR YOUR GROUP CAN HELP!

Chief Wiggles Schedule:

The Chief recently spoke at Brigham Young University, as well as several High Schools and Grade Schools. He will be speaking at more shortly.

Over 10 pallets worth of items have been delivered to our new warehouse with more boxes arriving daily.

Warehouse Address:

Operation Give
C/O Bridgepoint Systems
542 Confluence Ave.
Salt Lake City, UT 84123

PS - Some have asked how big these containers are. They are a normal, 40' shipping container. Each can hold thousands of items.

Monday, April 12, 2004

Remember who we are dealing with

Regardless of the many incidences of violence against our forces in Iraq, the majority of the Iraqi citizens support our efforts to bring peace and stability to their country. They, for the most part, are with us all the way, using other more peaceful means to do their part in accomplishing this goal. Through their efforts the majority of Iraqi cities remain calm and orderly, despite the efforts of a few to disrupt that.

We must understand that these aggressive acts against us are being waged by a small group of displaced Fedayeen soldiers, ex-intelligence officers, displaced Ba’ath Party members, Saddam loyalists, and insurgent foreign fighters. These wanted criminals have nothing to lose, hanging on to the hope that disorder and instability will perhaps weaken our resolve to continue the pursuit for freedom.

Even Moktada Al Sadr’s fanatical group of religious zealots is very small in comparison and does not represent the majority of Muslims in any way. Yes, as the news media reports, Al Sadr has been on our radar screen for some time, as we have looked for a way to peacefully remove him, without creating a martyr. Al Sadr represents a small group of very uneducated, extremely poor Muslims, who blindly follow this self proclaimed religious leader’s direction to create havoc and mayhem.

He is only looking to add validity to his desire for acceptance and position in the Muslim world, hoping through reconciliation with the U.S., it will legitimatize his campaign. He continues to fight against the majority of Muslims, using radical means to hopefully initiate change. He basically has a group of thugs who will stop at nothing to destabilize the existing Muslim Shiite hierarchy, centered on the Circle of Knowledge, headed by Sisany.

The message is clear. The majority of Iraqis are peace seeking people who are kind, loving, and appreciative of all that we have done for them. This was demonstrated to me personally on numerous occasions as they welcomed me into their homes with open arms, presenting me to their families as their brother, sharing their food and hospitality and all that they had to offer me.

Over all I found the people very generous and kind, but lacking in know-how and initiative to do much about their plight, having been accustomed to being controlled by a heavy hand holding a big stick. We need to help them erase the fears that have kept them frozen in their tracks.

I really need some volunteers 

All of us at Operation Give continue our efforts to win the hearts and minds of the Iraqi people through the children, as we press forward with our plans to provide toys, school supplies, and medical supplies. My team of soldiers and Iraqi civilians are busy moving the containers into our warehouse and taking toys out to children, touching them with good old American generosity.

I really appreciate all of you who continue to send in your generous donations to assist our cause. Our warehouse is filling up with great stuff, as we prepare to fill another 40-foot container with fantastic toys and school supplies.

We have a problem though. We have all these boxes that need to be sorted and repackaged to make the best use of our space. We need to sort like items into the same box and make sure they are repacked, shrink wrapped and palletized for shipping.

I really need some volunteers to help me in accomplishing this task. I could use some community groups, like Church groups, or Veterans from Foreign Wars, or any other organization to volunteer. Please call me if you have time to volunteer to help out. It isn’t hard work and any one can do it. If we can get enough people out at the warehouse we can get it done in no time at all. Any amount of time would be appreciated. I will bring the cold drinks.

Our Current Projects

I have been going around speaking at schools, churches, and neighborhoods to spread the message of all the good that is happening in Iraq and to promote the cause of Operation Give in hopes of collecting as much school supplies and toys as possible. 

Right now my son Matthew is working with local schools to collect supplies the last week of school as the students clean out their lockers. We are betting there will be a lot of stuff the kids would usually just throw away at the end of this school year. We are planning on conveniently placing large boxes around the schools so the students can throw in their left over pencils, paper, binders, books, markers, rulers, calculators, etc.

Several of the schools have asked me to speak for 10 minutes or so at a school assembly to launch the donation campaign. We are also in the process of making posters and fliers to pass around to communicate our message. We would love to work with any school wanting to participate in such a program.

We are also working with a number of Scouts who have designated this as their Eagle Scout Project, hoping to collect new and slightly used toys and school supplies from their local community and neighborhood. A number of Scouts have been calling to see what might be done and how to go about gathering up such supplies.

We welcome any ideas and new opportunities to further this cause.

Thanks for all your support and willingness to help, evident through your generous donations. Let’s not lose our momentum.

Getting the supplies to our soldiers

In our efforts to win the hearts and minds of the Iraqi people, it is the soldiers who are anxious to participate in handing out the toys and school supplies. The soldiers hope the people will change their perspective and attitudes about the soldier’s true intentions relating to the Iraqi’s freedom.

We are hoping to put a good percentage of the toys and supplies into the hands of our own military servicemen, who come in contact with Iraqis on a daily basis.  I have received numerous emails from soldiers hoping to acquire either supplies or a means for shipping existing supplies. I am working closely with a number of soldiers who have expressed such desires and requested assistance in shipping school supplies.

We will work with any individual, group, or organization who wishes to gather up donations but lack the means to get the contributions to our soldiers, mailing costs being somewhat prohibitive.

If you are a military person or know someone in the military over in Iraq or Afghanistan and wish to get involved in providing school supplies, toys, or medical supplies for the children of those countries, please contact me immediately.

Thanks so much. Have a great day.

Chief Wiggles

Doing it the Wiggles way.

I'm sure everyone of you is aware of this site already, so was I. Unfortunately, I never blogrolled them.

For the best and earliest, usually beating out the networks, news on Iraq, Afghanistan and Terrorism, please visit the Command Post.

Saturday, April 10, 2004

In the midst of all the negative media coverage of a very difficult week in Iraq, I feel the need to express my inner most feelings regarding what is transpiring. I am deeply saddened by the daily reports of violence, resulting in the death of additional American Soldiers. The images of their deaths now ingrained in our memories, as we witness first hand the tragedies of war, the carnage and destruction that evil forces, with no regard for life, can reek on our forces. We are not impervious to death, nor so mighty that we are above the normal human frailties that subject us to injury.

My first thoughts go out to the families of those whose loved ones have paid the ultimate price with the sacrifice of their lives. I wish to console them the only way I can with my words, that although painful the loss of their lives is not for nothing. Our conviction and resolve is not shaken and we will prevail, we must prevail, for there is no other way, but to press forward with determination, for there is much at stake.

As I have said many times this is a crucial moment in world history. We are at the cross roads of a new era in the battle of righteousness over evil. The forces have gathered together in a last ditch effort to destabilize the area, in an effort to prevent our success in freeing a nation, perhaps a region, of people from the evil forces of dictatorship, tyranny, domination, oppression, subjugation, despotism, and repression.

I am appalled at the report that many Americans feel it is time to pull out and return to protect our borders from the evil forces of terrorism. Are we going to allow these forces to win? Are we going to run back with our tail between our legs, only to hide our heads in the sand ignoring these forces that would desire to hold us captive in the cages of our own fears? Do any of you believe they will stop in their resolve and conviction to overthrow us, to dethrone us, to continue through hatred to desire our lives?

Do we have the luxury of isolationism? Is not our very economy tied to this world we live in, interconnected with all other countries? Do we allow these forces to continue to control the hearts and minds of these people, with their daily dose of lies, deceit, hatred, and corruption? Where do we draw the line and say enough is enough? Do we allow these forces to hold the life blood of the world hostage?

What do we tell our fellow Americans already killed by these very forces? What do we tell their families, that we really didn’t believe in what we were doing, we really weren’t committed to the people of the world in insuring that every human being can live in freedom without repression and subjugation? That we really don’t believe in the words of our vary constitution that it is the inalienable right of all men to be free.

I have said all along that the situation in Iraq was going to get worse before it got better.  The pieces of the puzzle were all there, with the forces of evil gathering their supporters daily and strengthening their ranks with insurgents from all over the region. There has been no shortage of money, weapons, corruption and criminals. There is much to be gained by our failure to stabilize Iraq. There are many groups who would benefit in power, position, and wealth, by our departure.

The stage was set by Saddam himself before his regime was toppled, as his supporters, his secret services, his displaced Fedayeen and Ba’ath Party members, and terrorists were given weapons and money and sent out west to wage war against us. They have now found strength in gathering their numbers in the troubled cities of Fallujah and Romadi.

There were many groups displaced by our success in dethroning Saddam, who were part of Saddam’s evil reign, supported and funded by him. There are many groups who took their livelihood from him, rewarded for their own evil acts of repression and domination. Now, with the borders having been opened since the war began, new insurgent forces have arrived from all surrounding countries in an effort to prevent us from accomplishing our goals.  

We must all understand that these small groups do not represent the desires of the majority of the Iraqi people. The silent, less active, majority of Iraqi people, who welcome our presence, are intimidated by these evil forces and live in fear they will be killed if they resist. They know what fear is, having lived with it for thirty or more years under the rule of Saddam. In the past they have allowed them selves to be subjected to these forces, having given up their will to seemingly stronger foes, not willing to take extreme measures to fight against them.

The people at some point must gain confidence in our presence, knowing we are not going to leave them stranded to hopelessly fight against these groups, with out our support. We need to display our conviction in what we feel is the right thing to do, through our continual efforts to fight for the rights of these people.

The real test of our metal is going on right now.

In the past we have not always displayed the required unwavering conviction to stay our course, regardless of the cost. On the contrary we have proven that we will back down, take the easy way out, as we left the Iraqis and the Kurdish people without support during the 90’s.

The people of Iraq will respect us if we move quickly with a firm hand and a big stick, to squelch the violent efforts of these small groups. We must act now, not wavering, to display courage, commitment and resolve, to finish what we have started, not giving in to random acts of terrorism. Our own future is on the line as we, united, stand against the forces of evil that wish to steal our freedoms and control us through fear and trepidation.

This is not a matter of politics. It is easy for anyone, of any political party to criticize and find fault with the strategies of our efforts in Operation Iraqi Freedom, without having to offer up any other options or solutions. What would the opposition have us do? They surely have not been able to present us with any better solutions.

We are involved in a just cause not only for the Iraqi people but for all people of the world who might find themselves in a similar situation, held hostage by those who would use force, fear, and weapons, to oppress and control them. The terrorists of the world must know that we will stand up and fight for our freedoms. Now is the time to set an example, to display to the world our willingness to help those who can’t help themselves.

Chief Wiggles

Doing it the wiggles way

(Note from Plunge: Sorry, lost this earlier and didn't get it posted)

Friday, April 01, 2004

Well I finally got the word to go back to Iraq. I will be leaving next week for another year back in Baghdad.

Not. April Fools

Great things continue to happen

After having been yanked around a bit, fortunately, the army has finally decided to release me from additional active duty. I will be on active duty for approximately one more week and then I will be returning to Fort Carson to finish demobilizing. I can’t say enough about how everything has worked out for the better. It has all been good and it is all good, all part of a much bigger plan, involving many more people than me.

Every dark cloud has had a silver lining. Most days I wake up just wondering what miraculous thing is going to happen next, life so far having been a continuous stream of interconnected wonderful events. This path I am traveling on is a virtual mine field of positive explosions, one explosion causing a chain reaction of events leading to another, all divinely controlled and orchestrated.

These explosions turn into bursts of joy and happiness as the pieces of this giant puzzle fall into place, one at a time, revealing the picture of generous Americans helping the people of Iraq.

• The 3 containers of toys and school supplies arrived in Kuwait and have been cleared for movement to Baghdad, without any taxes, duties, or other transportation charges. This alone is a miracle beyond measure. A certain person named Cheryl has really been a life saver for us in making this happen.

• We also received permission, with a minimal charge, to keep the containers in Baghdad for awhile until we can unload them at the warehouse. Not only did we work out a great deal on holding on to the containers, but also we were given the green light to park the container at a secure location for free.

• FedEx has agreed to move (free of charge) 50 boxes of stuffed animals, donated by Stansbury Park Elementary School last week, over to our warehouse owned and operated by Bridgepoint Systems in Salt Lake City, Utah. There seems to be no end to so many people doing so many wonderful things.

• The elementary students put letters in the boxes of toys for the soldiers who open them, hoping to brighten the day of each box opener.

• Our team of do-gooders is driving forward in Iraq, as our hearts have become welded together through our simple acts of kindness. The pieces are falling into place as they seek for ways to distribute toys and supplies.

A message to give

Lately I have been fortunate to have a number of speaking engagements, each one opening up new opportunities for people to share and participate in the cause of Operation Give. There are so many people out there with great ideas and a special willingness to be part of this wonderful initiative.

If any of you out there would like me to speak to your group or organization and are willing just to cover my traveling expenses, I would be more than happy to participate. I feel that I am on a mission to spread the word to the American people about what is really going on in Iraq. I have a message that needs to be heard by people who desire to hear the truth.

The media is doing us, the American people, an injustice by only giving us a very one-sided, sanitized, politically tweaked view of what the Iraqis really feel about our presence. As I travel around speaking to various groups, I am continually asked questions’ regarding what is really going on and what do the Iraqis really feel about us. Obviously there are enough free thinkers out there to realize that they are not being told the whole story and are only being given bits and pieces of a much bigger picture.

Why are we continually spoon fed sensationalized accounts of what is going on, only dwelling on the negative side in hopes that it will accomplish their own politically tainted agenda?

Speaking at Brigham Young University

On Friday I had the marvelous opportunity of speaking to a crowd of about 400 people at Brigham Young University, during their annual Family Expo. I was the opening speaker for the conference, which lasted two days, held in conjunction with General Conference for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I had about an hour to convey my message, only to realize that even an hour was not enough time to really cover all my points.

I stood before them in uniform, armed with nothing more than my power-point slide show, and an honest desire to convey the feelings of my heart regarding my experiences in Iraq. I hoped they would catch the vision, through the spirit of my words, of the humanity of the freedom hungry people of Iraq, who as a majority only now want to realize their dreams for freedom and democracy.

After speaking a number of nameless individuals came up to me to express how touched they were by my words and how grateful they are for the many positive things that were accomplished. One person expressed to me that “hearing my speech alone was worth the trip she made�. Others had a desire for me to speak to their group or to question how they might participate in Operation Give. Another person informed me of their group of women who were quilting 300 quilts and were looking for a charity organization to donate them to, now realizing her search was over.

Gary and Terry rule

A few days ago, Gary and Terry of FedEx in Detroit, made a special trip out to Utah to give me the welcome home party of a life time. I was deeply touched by their eagerness, no matter what the cost, to offer me the warmest celebration of my safe arrival home from Iraq. I will never be able to repay them for their selfless generosity, presented to me in the form of gifts and love. I will never forget them and their kindness will never be matched.

They flew in on a Thursday afternoon to begin their secretive plans for the surprise luncheon to be held at FedEx. Other than having dinner with them on Thursday, they were busy running about buying up things for the party. I offered to help but they wanted to do this on their own and who am I to interfere with their own Good Luck Fairy plans. It is fun to be on the receiving end of things once in a while too.

They also came baring gifts from another team of players at FedEx in Corporate Communications, headed by Jean Ann, to include; Janas, Mike, David, Gwen, Terry, Cecelia, Alice, Lisa, Rose, Pam, and Roy. They also brought love and appreciation from Sally, Barbara, Audrey, Jim, and Stacey, who have, all along, been so supportive.

Jean even wrote a lovely poem,

 “We are your friends, both old and new,

Through Divine circumstance drawn to you.

To share your journey to Iraq,

And to rejoice that you are safely back.

We prayed God would keep you safe from harm,

Sheltered in the protection of his arms,

We saw through your eyes those who yearned to be free,

And we dreamed with you all the things that might be.

We wept with you as you brought joy

To the hearts of Iraqi girls and boys.

You’ve touched our lives beyond scope

For the Lord used you to give the gift of hope.

Charity never faileth

What a wonderful tribute, but I feel so undeserving, and yet I humbly accept your words of appreciation, only to hope that some day I can repay you for your kindness. I am sure you will be blessed for your desires to help and support soldiers, like me, who are all in need of your love.

Stacey, Gary’s wife, added a special tribute that really touched on the core of how sharing with others can actually change the giver’s heart forever. She wrote, “I thank you not only for what you did for the children of Iraq, but also for allowing Gary to be a part of this. Because of you and “Joys with Toys�, I have seen a renewed joy and sense of purpose in my husband, Thank you�.

I humbly admit that all of this started out so innocently, without prior thought of creating anything as grand as what this has become. It was the individual desires of many people whose combined synergy has brought about such great things. It was definitely not all my doing. I acted only as a facilitator to work as your representative, in touching the loves, by proxy, of so many Iraqi children.

FedEx puts on a party

The luncheon party was held at FedEx’s district offices, where all my fellow workers gathered together to offer up a very warm welcome home. We joked and laughed, hugged and kissed, opened presents and shared a very special unforgettable moment, as we rekindled our friendships and thanked God for my safe return. I will never forget them.

Much time and care had been given to each and every gift, as if Christmas had come in March this year. I was totally blown away by the generous and thoughtful expressions of love and appreciation by the givers.

Debbie and others at the local FedEx office had prepared such great food, desserts and drink, sodas of course, and it was such a fun time for me, the thoughts of which I will relish forever. Thanks so much.

The Holton family takes their turn

Later that night they were all invited over to my dance club, the “Mambo Club�, (a Latin dance club in Salt Lake City), to enjoy a night out on us, put on by my family. Many soldiers from my unit, especially those I served with at the CPA in Baghdad, were also invited, as we danced, ate, and enjoyed each others company, celebrating all of our safe return.

Half way through the night, to my surprise, the Highland High School Band showed up to offer their rendition of a few patriotic/military tunes, which was so awesome. After that several young local Korean girls, clad in traditional Korean dress, performed several traditional Korean dances. The even was a big hit, truly enjoyed by all those attending. Of course I got into the spirit of things by doing my usual antics on the dance floor, as I attempted to keep up with my dancing daughter (who is a very good dancer).

Thanks to my family for putting on a great party.

We must protect our freedoms

I am saddened by the recent reports of several soldiers and civilians being killed in Fallujah, Iraq. I was appalled by these blatant acts of violence and their total disrespect for human life carried out by a fanatical bunch of thugs and non-Iraqi insurgents, in an effort to destabilize the area and demoralize our troops.

I hope the world can see that these small groups of displaced Saddam loyalists, or hate filled terrorists, will stop at nothing to regain their control, power, or position, over the people of Iraq, who desire the people to remain ignorant in bondage. What would be their alternative? To rule the people with terror and hate, violently acting out their desires to control people with prejudice? Preventing the people from tasting the sweetness of freedom, equality and liberty? 

Are we that blind that we cannot see the evil intentions of these hate filled terrorists, who prefer keeping the people chained to their prejudiced beliefs in some twisted ideology, far removed from any of Mohammed’s teachings? They do in no way represent the majority of Iraqis or any Middle Eastern people. They would want us to believe this, as it was a contrived media opportunity for them to portray this to the world.

Wake up world! We must stand up against any such group to protect the freedoms of the majority of God fearing people everywhere, who would chose love over hate, freedom over bondage, equality over prejudice and discrimination, and peace over violence. We cannot stand idly by while we watch the people of the world be intimidated and held hostage by terror and fear.

Spain’s reaction to terrorism in their country only fuels the terrorist fire, giving these evil men confidence to strike out against others, in hopes of accomplishing the same response. But, we cannot give in. We must be firm in our resolve and willing to fight, when necessary, against any power that would subject us to their will, forcing us to live according to their desires.

Our resolve cannot be shaken and our course cannot be altered to suit the desires of these evil few. We must be willing to go the distance at whatever the cost, for there is too much at stake. It will never stop and we, the world, will never be safe if we give an inch to these terrorists.

Filling the children’s minds with hate is not the answer

We must break down the barriers of culture, language, religion, etc, through unselfish acts of kindness, allowing the children of the world to see the humanity of all people. We must build bridges of trust, understanding, and confidence in the humanity of all people. Operation Give must go forth, along with any and all causes that teach tolerance and love of all mankind.

As we move closer towards turning over the government back to the Iraqi people this summer, with out a doubt there will be an increase in these random acts of terrorism, in order to turn world popular opinion against the U.S. The world has to see that we are not occupiers; we are not there to take, but to give freedom and democracy to the people of Iraq. This is not about the U.S., but about stabilization of that region of the world, allowing them to hold the keys to their own destiny to the end that they will take their place as a key player in the world.

The majority needs our help

The quiet perhaps silent majority, given the chance, will step forward to take control of this destiny over time. But, they are weak and need the protecting hand of a stronger brother, for with out such a brother they would be easily imprisoned by their own fears. We must be that brother to assist those people who cannot do for themselves, to maintain their right for freedom and liberty.

As I sit typing my journal I can hear the sound of the wind outside rustling through the trees, causing me to pause reflecting on the wind of the deserts of Iraq, remember what it was like just a few months ago. Oh, how things do change, how time goes on, and oh how we must not give up, not lose interest in the causes promoting justice, freedom, and the liberty for all in the pursuit of happiness.

The Lord promises that he will be before us and on our left and on our right to guide our way and protect us from the evils that might befall us. I desire to perpetuate the cause of Operation Give, knowing that there is much to do and with faith that the way will be prepared before me. The children need the hope that a toy or school supplies give of a brighter future. They need the curing hands of doctors with supplies and equipment able to do their job as a result of people who care and are willing to donate the money or the supplies to make it happen.

I am now on this end across the waters from Iraq, able to promote this cause by reaching out to people in schools, churches, or other organizations who have a desire to help. I need your help to make this happen.

Have a great day

Chief Wiggles

Doing it the wiggles way

Sgt. Paul Smith gave his life protecting others. So far, the only soldier nominated for the Medal of Honor for actions taken during the Iraq War.

You can read his story here.

Thank God we have soldiers like him.