December 22 - 24, 2007
10:52 A.M.
The Perfect Christmas
Due to a complicated set of circumstances, I will not be able to see, or even speak to, my daughter this Christmas.
I had no plans, other than to work on editing the documentary.
A couple of days ago, I received an email from the widow of a Marine I was with in Iraq, one of whose children had never seen his father. Neither this woman, Julie Shumney, or any of her children, had seen any video footage of their father, and his incredibly brave, dangerous, and patriotic work in Fallujah, back during the bad old days of the battle through it. I had given her an access code to download some of the footage but it wasn’t working. Plus it was not much of the footage of her husband. Circumstances had prevented me from getting it all to her and his family earlier.
Upon receipt of her email, I realized I could spend the necessary time this weekend culling together all the tapes of her husband, Lt. Dustin Shumney, and then fly to Texas on Christmas Day, and deliver it to Julie.
Between the airline flight attendants, the desk clerks at Avis, and the Shumneys, I will spend this Christmas entirely with strangers, but since I will be able to see my daughter another time, this will be the perfect Christmas.
4:56 P.M.
Because my laptop shit the bed, and I’m travelling, I’ve been updating the site today from a variety of different Apple Stores. I’m at my 3rd different location. Thanks, Apple.
10:33 P.M.
It is becoming clear that the remnants of Al Qaeda in Diyala are starting a massive offensive against the smaller, outlying ( read: weak and relatively undefended ) villages in Diyala Province ( the mixed-religious province they were left with as their only viable “home” in Iraq after they lost Al Anbar ). This is a potentially troubling development, and must be tracked to determine if the appropriate response is forthcoming on the part of the Iraqi Security Forces ( ISF ) and U.S. military.
11:03 P.M.
Because of the YA edit schedule this week, I missed all of that New Orleans shit. I hope Bashman posted about it. If he didn’t, somebody bitch at him for me.
Sunday December 23,
9:12 A.M.
I just woke up. Writing anything further requires thought.
9:13 A.M.
Just heard that fat guy with a beard who sells everything screaming about a light switch we should all buy. It somehow segued into a shot of Obama saying “Everybody requires room at the inn”.
9:15 A.M.
How hot is Reena Ninan? If you’re gonna get your war, you really should get it through her.
10:20 A.M.
It gets cold in winter. Smokers know.
10:23 A.M.
Yesterday, the NY Times, the LA Times, the Washington Post, The Christian Science Monitor, and the AP - yes, ALL of them - ran stories that our new Sunni allies’ militias, QUITE POSSIBLY, would start running out of control and reignite war and mayhem in Iraq, ANY DAY NOW.
12:35 P.M.
I know I still owe everyone the whole crazy lowdown on our L.A./Adam Sandler X-Mas Party adventure, but in the meantime, here is a picture of RightHandGirl and me at the end of the weekend.
04:27 P.M
Only people desperate for Planation Housing ( IE, something close to the studios, has any good reason to live in this dump anymore, this garish, fading prostitute occassionally bedorned with a borrowed or finally polished piece of jewelry. Unless, of course, you’re into child abuse and want to raise your child in a place where all remanants of a soul are systematically replaced by a passion for “designer goods”and a bone-deep desire for sadistic personal and professional trumph over others.
It’s a toilet. Feel free to leave without flushing.
10:54 P.M.
I’ve got about 5 hours to go to finish transferring and DVD burning these tapes from the Shumneys. Then I get two whole hours sleep on the plane. Then right back home, and do prep editing for Thursday when dB and I pick it up again. Got some notes from Tony, and barring any last minute wild ideas from me, I feel very much in sync ( outside of the use of Gnarles Barkely’s crazy which has been a creative bone of contention between us, not Tony’s fault, it’s just one of those typical situations of filmmakers’ taste, so I’ve got no issue with his issue of its use other than I really think it works and is a highpoint ) and I think we can finally land this plane smoothly. His notes overall were quite good.
Be respectful of others and their opinions. Inflammatory remarks and inane leftist drivel will be deleted. It ain’t about free speech, remember you’re in a private domain. My website, my prerogative.
If you can't handle using your real email address, don't bother posting a comment.
It’s the actions of people like you and Lt. Shumney that honestly keep my faith in humanity.
December 22nd, 2007 at 11:23 amPat, you (not-so) Secret Santa you …
What a wonderful Christmas mission you have ahead of you. I’m sure your daughter will be proud of your selfless gift for the Shumney family.
G-d speed.
Maggie
December 22nd, 2007 at 11:40 amGod Bless You Pat.
That is a wonderful thing indeed that you are doing!
December 22nd, 2007 at 11:59 amGodspeed Pat.
Be sure Julie knows we appreciate and never will never forget what her husband has given to our great nation.
I pray that she and her family will be at peace this Christmas.
http://www.militarycity.com/valor/624364.html
December 22nd, 2007 at 12:21 pmPat - Bless you. I will be thinking about you and Julie while you are here in Texas on Christmas day. Big Texas Hug!
December 22nd, 2007 at 12:35 pmSaint Pat–that’s who you are!
I teared up just reading your post.
December 22nd, 2007 at 2:30 pmCan’t wait to see “Young Americans.” Be assured that your manic massive effort to bring an honest view, as opposed to the MSM’s, of the war is greatly appreciated.
God bless and be safe, St. Pat.
hey pat i cant wait for you to finish making that documentary just post it on the site asap i cant wait to buy it
December 22nd, 2007 at 4:54 pmMy thanks to Lt Schumney and my prayers to his family.
Because of him, and marines like him, there is no “work” for my brother in Fallujah - they are moving him to someplace a little busier.
The word my brother used when giving us the news was “PACIFIED”.
December 22nd, 2007 at 5:48 pmHe was telling us to NOT send anything for Christmas since his address is changing.
Beautiful story, Pat. You make me proud to support you.
Pat,
December 22nd, 2007 at 7:28 pmGive Mrs. Schumney a hug for all of us. And tell her how grateful this nation is for her husbands sacrifice. She, and all the other family members of the fallen will always be in our prayers.
Soldiers Dont Want Sympothy! They Want Respect!! Pat Your COOL!! Thank’s
December 22nd, 2007 at 8:59 pmGod bless us–every one!
When I was growing up, I always took family Christmas for granted. I mean, it was annoying–cleaning the house, talking to the old folks, opening presents one at a time… and now, I’d give everything I had to come home for Christmas, or to be with my pregnant Sugar Bear.
Merry Christmas, everyone. If you’re lucky enough to spend time with your annoying family, thank God for that.
December 23rd, 2007 at 12:23 amPat,
December 23rd, 2007 at 6:15 amGod Bless you for your selflessness. One day your daughter will understand what you did, and be so proud of you. As a Veteran of OIF, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for what you do for soldiers, and their families. Merry Christmas!!
Pat - May our blessed Lord who so humbled Himself to take the form of man fill you and the Shumney familiy with His peace.
I’m sorry that you are physically away from your daughter this Christmas but if it is any consolation, you are as close to her as your blood that courses through her heart. Equally important you are gifting her the true wealth contained in the lesson of a father that understands the richness of giving of self for the betterment of others (isn’t that the true meaning of Christmas?). I’m sure your daughter will always look back at this Christmas with so much love and admiration for her father. She is very lucky to have such an example.
Finally, I hope you find solace in the fact you have a much larger family now just because of your sacrifice and although physically apart, Dollarheads scattered all over the world are with you in spirit. Thanks for going through the hassle of doing the I-shuffle at Apple to keep us updated Pat. Hoping you have a blessed Christmas!!!
December 23rd, 2007 at 11:56 amHey, Pat, RHG makes you look good, man!
Maggie
December 23rd, 2007 at 1:12 pmWhy is Right Hand Girl, on the left? Please advise if she’s been put to the Left Hand Girl status?
December 23rd, 2007 at 2:25 pmHundreds of thoughts going trough my head while reading this. Too many to post, while on tv family is interviewed about the loss of their loved-ones the past year in Afghanistan. Among them 2 of “my boys”.
My recorder is doing overtime these days, not able to handle it “up-close-and-personall” anymore around this so precious but to me very painfull time of the year. Still I find myself extreemly “rich”, my 3 little doggies at my feet, my dad save and well taken care of in a lovely nursing home just 5 minutes from my home.
On tv, a widow, 32 weeks pregnant. Her unborn child will never see it’s dad. His brother, in the army as well, went to Tarin Kowt to accompany the remains being fled home.
Parents who witness the footage of their dead son in the back of a vehicle while 7 Afghan children lay slaughtered on the grounds because of a suicide-bom. Wounded children crying out in the back-ground. They made a video-message for the parents of the dead children because it was too dangerous to go there themselves, broadcasted yesterday, and they opened a bank-account to raise money for building a girls-school with “Save the children.
A girlfriend of a fallen soldier, she’s in the army too, tells about the jokes they made when he had to put down in writing what to do in the worst case, how he wanted his funeral to be conducted.
Pat Dollar, you’re a special man. Let me bow my head, feeling very humble for the sacrifices you make in order to make the “real story” been heard.
In my heart I’ll be with you while traveling to Texas. Wispering a tear-filled ‘God bless you’, asking for forgivness for adressing my own pain.
December 23rd, 2007 at 3:15 pmI told you privately, but I’ll say it here…bringing the vid clips to that widow and her kids is one of the noblest acts of humanity I have seen in a long time outside the scope of military heroism.
James 1:27
December 23rd, 2007 at 5:12 pmPat,
I hope you don’t mind me sharing your Christmas story. What a wonderful present to this woman and her family. And what a tribute to the the man you are, Pat.
http://holgerawakens.blogspot.com/2007/12/christmas-gift-of-love.html
Fight4TheRight
December 23rd, 2007 at 5:26 pma.k.a. HolgerAwakens
I did not think that I could gain anymore respect and admiration for you Pat…..But you have. God Bless you.
Please pass my regards and respect on to Mrs. Shumney. Lt. Shumney’s family will stay in my prayers.
Semper Fidelis!
December 23rd, 2007 at 10:49 pmI now understand the true meaning of Christmas. Thanks Pat, your kindness and generosity is just too cool. Merry Christmas.
December 24th, 2007 at 2:07 amAt first I thought “what a cute ecouple”. Then I remembereed Pat was 100 years old than her. Oh, well, timing is everything I guess. But I suppose there’s always thpse college professor/student romances. Sure will be interesting how this one plays out. Uh, you are over 18 now aren’t you RHG? If not, I take back everything I just said. At least until the magic date.
December 24th, 2007 at 6:08 amThanks Pat, I was going to cancel Showtime cuz its a piece of crap network. Ill hold on to it to make sure I catch YA.
December 24th, 2007 at 11:59 am[…] December 22 - 24, 2007 […]
December 24th, 2007 at 12:01 pmPat,
I’ve got this feeling. You’re about to park your rental on the drive-way of the Shumneys recidence.
Please, if you have the time and the possibilatys, tell us about your visit later on.
Merry Christmas, dear Pat. Also to the Shumneys family with prayers for them as well.
And, Merry Christmas to all Dollard-readers, -fans and comment-posters plus participants in this great site.
Many prayers to all who have to celebrate (another) Christmas without their loved-ones, wetter they are “over there” or have lost their lives.
Jeanet from The Netherlands.
December 24th, 2007 at 5:54 pmPat, I would like to say…….. Great Thanks for your wonderful leadership with the mission set before you. I know that your adventure has been difficult at best and impossible at worst. But rest assure, that you and your team have had a great impact on lives across this world and the next. May you know that you have given this world and it’s people …………Truth!!!
December 25th, 2007 at 6:11 amMay God bless you and yours
Mike
Merry Christmas Pat. i read a story about you in some mag,ive been reading your blog ever since. and just like mike up there you do give us the truth to us all. cant wait for the Documentary. peace be with you. j
December 25th, 2007 at 11:44 amMerry Christmas to you Pat, and to all our troops in Iraq & Afghanistan and around the world.
A’yaad meelad Saeedah to our Iraqi friends.
December 25th, 2007 at 12:10 pmYo Pat,
December 25th, 2007 at 6:56 pmwords can not express the thanks and the excitement the kids and I are feeling. This is going to be the best Christmas we have ever had. Thank you so much for sharing the last 3 weeks of my husbands life with us, since I could not be there with him in person in Iraq to see it for myself. I know we are living in the final days and I can not wait for my children and I to be with him again. My life is all about the God, Kids and still him! My life came to a complete stand still and is still a complete stand still until him and I can be together again.
God Bless you, you have definately hit the jackpot in Heaven for this visit I am sure.
Julie Shumney
Dear Mrs. Shumney,
Pat arrived in time for Christmas, bringing you the most precious gift possible.
Allow me to burn a candle for you, your children, your beloved husband and Pat, accompanied with the following prayer:
“God bless those who made the ultimate sacrifice in order for us to live in freedom.
Amen”.
With a warm and loving hugh from the Netherlands,
Jeanet. (A civil sister amongst brothers in arms.)
December 26th, 2007 at 6:02 amhaha. you and RHG look like the typical hollywood couple. old man and a hot young chick!
Merry Christmas guys!
December 26th, 2007 at 10:40 amPatrick! lol
We had the greatest time with you and really enjoyed your visit. You are a cool guy and kept us laughing all through out the evening. My family and I are very greatful for all that you did to bring us so joy this Christmas. Tell your daughter thank you for me please.
All our love to you,
December 26th, 2007 at 1:07 pmRegards,
The Shumney’s