the irish lass

Great News from The Corner

American ingenuity at it's very finest

"THE ROCK" SURVIVES IED BLAST [W. Thomas Smith Jr.]
I've just learned that during an operation near Baghdad, this morning, one of our armored vehicles - a brand new one unofficially referred to as "The Rock" - was hit by an IED. The vehicle sustained no major damage, and - best of all - ZERO injuries were suffered by passengers or crew.

I first reported on "The Rock" earlier this month at NavySEALs.com and elsewhere. It is being manufactured by Kuwait-based Granite Global Services which was founded in the spring of 2004 by SEAL Reservist Chris Berman, then-working for Blackwater Security. Berman started the company after four of his Blackwater buddies were ambushed and killed in Fallajuh. After escorting all four bodies home, Berman decided to build a heavily armored, ultra-fast (the thing can cruise at 80 mph), gun-bristling, urban-warfare vehicle that would save passenger lives in combat. His first truck rolled off the line in June. It's been shot at a lot, but no ball-round ammunition can penetrate its armor. Today it was hit by an IED for the first time, and Berman emailed me saying, "I must brag when it is this good."

Military Personnel Ski For Free at Some Resorts

Northstar-at-Tahoe and Sierra-at-Tahoe invite all active duty military to grab their skis and snowboards and enjoy free skiing/riding at either resort every Sunday this winter (excluding Jan. 15 and Feb. 19).

To receive their free lift ticket, active duty personnel simply need to present their Common Access Card to the special tickets line at Northstar or Sierra's season pass office. Military personnel will receive one complimentary lift ticket, per person, per Sunday.

Members of the military who have never tried skiing or snowboarding shouldn't miss out on the fun. Sierra and Northstar's multiday lesson packages offer the perfect opportunity to take on a new snowsport. At Northstar, guests will learn to carve in no time with the resort's Passport Program.

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reprinted from the Lake Tahoe Action - Your Free Guide to What to Do at Lake Tahoe!