Welcome to SixthFleet.Com, the Cyberspace Home of author David E. Meadows. "When Meadows' men set sail, it's sure to be a mission like no other." --W.E.B. Griffin "Rip-snorting, realistic action-adventure from a man who has been there. David Meadows is the real thing," --Stephen Coonts author of numerous bestsellers, including Flight of the Intruder, Saucer, America, and Liberty. "An absorbing, compelling look at America's future place in the world. It's visionary, and scary. Great battle scenes, believable heroes, plus villains you'll love to hate!" -Joe Buff, bestselling author of Straits of Power, Tidal Rip, and Crush Depth. "David E. Meadows is simply the best writer of naval thriller/adventure fiction out there today." --Tom Wilson, acclaimed author of Black Canyon, Desert Fury, Tango Uniform and other best selling military thrillers.

THE OATH

Every military officer takes the following oath. The last sentence is part of the initial oath of office when an officer receives his or her commissioning:

“I (State your full name) do solemnly swear (or Affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear truth faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and, that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office in which I am about to enter. So help me God.”

Every one of those 24 recited by memory that oath. It was a moving moment, a stirring emotional moment, and us old timers & for their parents, spouses, relatives, and friends who filled the auditorium there were few dry eyes.

I met George’s father, Frank Durham, at the ceremony. Frank is a World War II veteran who was a young, fresh lawyer when World War II broke out and joined the Navy as a bomb disposal expert. He has a book out about his experiences with a lot of new details on the battle for Iwo Jima. I picked up the book Sunday May 16th and I couldn’t put it down. It is a great narrative by a veteran of World War II who was there on the island in the thick of combat. As the number of World War II veterans pass away in huge numbers on a daily basis, the opportunity to read about actions such as this by a gentleman who was chosen for one of the most deadly occupations was humbling. I strongly recommend the book if you want to have fresh insight into true combat heroism and combat on Iwo Jima. The title is:

You Only Blow yourself Up Once:
Confessions of a World War Two Bomb Disposaleer.
By J. Frank Durham.
ISBN: 0595750206

You can order it from Amazon dot com by clicking HERE.

Buy it, read it, and tell your friends about it. A second event I participated in was on May 21st. I had the honor of promoting four fine young Sailors to the next paygrade. Our Navy and our military have never been in finer hands than it is today. And, seeing these four standing tall as they were read their promotion certificates combined with my experience at Virginia Tech even more firmly convinces me that the American military has never been in finer hands than it is today and that those rising through the ranks are the finest America has to offer. We should be proud of those many who wear the uniform with pride and we should consider with shame those who besmirch it. Those wearing the uniform represent intrinsically all the values held dear by every American patriot. What happened in Abu Ghraib Prison does not now, nor has it ever reflected the true profile of the American fighting man or woman. Never have so few done so much damage to the American ideal as they have. Even so, their action pales in comparison to the terrorists who beheaded an innocent civilian trying to convince the viewers that it was done as retaliation for prisoner abuse. We recognize bullshit when we hear it and when we see it. Terrorists live for nothing more than to kill those who worship any God different from them or worship the same God differently and for the feeling of power they have. We are in a world today where the largest religion is still bouncing about the 11th Century in their ideals, inflexibility, and beliefs.

JOINT TASK FORCE AFRICA is Meadows' newest novel scheduled for release in March 2005.

Read More About JOINT TASK FORCE AFRICA

JOINT TASK FORCE AFRICA A Navy EP-3E is hit by a missile and before the pilot can recover control of the aircraft four aircrew bail out over West Africa, landing in the middle of an African civil war. It is a fast-pace story as Admiral Holman races to rescue the Sailors before they are killed or captured. "Meadows will keep you turning pages and thinking new thoughts." --Newt Gingrich "Rip-snorting, realistic action-adventure from a man who has been there." --Stephen Coonts "When Meadows' men set sail, it's sure to be a mission like no other." --W.E.B. Griffin "Fast-paced, roller-coaster ride with this exhilarating military thriller. Dynamic writer with a fresh voice in this technical-ridden, yet intriguing genre." --Midwest Book Review "An absorbing, compelling look at America's future. Visionary, scary. Great battle scenes, believable heroes, plus villains you'll love to hate!" --Joe Buff, author Tidal Rip.

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David E. Meadows / SixthFleet.Com David E. Meadows Washington D.C. E-Mail readermail@SixthFleet.Com