I can’t thank Andi enough for having the vision and gumption to put this conference together. It’s difficult to find the words to describe this experience. Meeting all of these fun and amazing people after reading their blogs for such a long time was a gift. All of the Panels were interesting and informative. Hearing and seeing these bloggers expressions and intonations when they spoke goes beyond the black and white of the written surface. You see the passion and feel the pain and sense of humor with their experiences. Beyond the Panels there were the rest of the conference attendees, more bloggers and supporters who had the same passion and commitment to our Soldiers and their families and to our country’s security.

The resonating soundbite throughout this conference was the disappointment with the dominent media for failing our Troops and our country. There was such a feeling of comraderie which can’t be explained (well, I can’t explain it in words). I met Carol (An American from London) who I connected with and am sure this will survive into the future. What a fun lady who tries to maintain her conservative values and outlook in a country not terribly conducive to this thinking. Meeting Andi,Greta, Carla and Deb was a huge treat and look out for these ladies….they are a force to be reckoned with.

I met the people from The War Tapes on Friday night as I was waiting for a taxi and offered to share my taxi and heard about their wonderful film (plus they picked up my taxi fare). Oh and TacoBell and his Kilt, I’m still kicking myself for not getting a pic of that! SammyDetroit (troop supporter and all around sweet lady) is another example of people who care and act on their convictions. Connecting with Matt from B5 who has been so gracious to me and is just a great guy. Met Bob from Crazy Politico which was a treat and I finally got his geographic situation cleared up…finally! I know I’m missing people but I could go on and on.

I’m not really going to comment too much on the content of the conference since the video will be available in the near future. But from Panel 3 the topic of the media and it’s focus and affect on the American people was discussed. At the time this came up though, milblogs and their influence dominated the discussion. With the attendance of a reporter from the BBC and Boston Globe(haven’t checked for the link yet). I would hope the media would shift their focus of their news from opinionated news stories to “real” news like the what, where, why and how’s of journalism 101. My worry is the folks who don’t read blogs, milblogs or get 95% of their information from the local newspaper and network news. We (as bloggers) forget there’s a significant portion of America who still formulate their opinions based on the “old” media. If we as bloggers can’t influence “old” media to cure themselves it will be too late for the Iraq situation. I’m thinking about my parents and many who are in their mid 30’s, 40’s and older. These people still get the majority of their information from these sources. I think bloggers insulate themselves into thinking there are more of the population who go beyond the “old” media but today that isn’t true. Five years from now the statistics will change but do we really have 5 years to wait?

I will probably post more on this but I’m afraid if I don’t get some of this down now I’ll procrastinate until I forget names and themes. Here’s more pictures from the conference. I was disappointed with quite a few of the pictures I took, seems as though I couldn’t keep the camera still long enough unless I was in a bar. Hmmm. I think I might need to only take pictures after I’ve had a glass of wine……

From Friday night at Fran O’Briens: Carol of The Planning Blog (American in London), SammyDetroit (troop supporter) and Mr. and Mrs. Smash.

Heidi and Kit (my hotel mates) mauling Capt. B………heh heh.

Milbloggers live blogging the Milblog Conference (say that 20 times really fast).

Panel One - Buzz Patterson, CJ(Soldiers Perspective), Smash(Indepundit), Matt (Blackfive), John (Op-For) and Steve(ThreatsWatch) . This was the first time I had heard of Steve and wow, some of the things he said were so passionate, all I can think to say is bravo.

Panel Two was the family perspective. All were inspiring and deserve such kudos for enduring the emotional rollercoaster they’ve had to ride. Carla, Carren and Chuck and Deb.

Panel Three had Col. Hunt (ret) grilling them. I met Col.Hunt when he first walked in to the registration desk and whoa, he is quite the piece of work. I mean that in a nice way. He sounded like he was involved in an interrogation up on the stage. But he sure did get the guys yakking with a lively discussion. Considering this was the last panel that was good since people had just had lunch and it easily could have turned into a snooze fest. But with Col. Hunt moderating that wasn’t an option.

Col. Hunt, Jeff, Fred, Bill Rogio, Capt. B and Michael Fay.

I almost forgot the Freepers people (Free Republic)! We visited them on Friday night with their banners and support for the Soldiers at Walter Reed Hospital. Let me tell you it was raining (hard) and chilly, those guys are true diehards and we all owe them a debt of gratitude.