posted on November 11, 2005 09:07:52 AM new
THE REAL AMERICAN HERO
The title of veteran is a term of great respect due to the patriotism, willingness to serve, and dedication to a larger cause. As the holiday approaches if nothing else Americans should remember the vets who made this country what it is today. I stand in front of a unit’s memorial board here in Iraq. A wall of warriors killed in action. I stare at the many fallen Marines, Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen, many so young and full of life, determined and brave. I stare at the memorial walls and a silent crowded wall stares back at me holding me accountable to complete the job we were sent here to do. They gave their all. It’s a shame we cant display all of the pictures from all of the battles that show these brave men so people could see who was number 7 and who was number 2001. So people can feel the eyes of men and women looking at them and telling them so much without saying a word.
Their faces wind torn and chapped, uniforms faded from the hot sun, body armor stained with sweat marks, dirt and smoke. Many of them serving multiple tours defending America and freedom, not only in Iraq and Afghanistan but places like Omaha Beach, Iwo Jima and Vietnam. Some people don’t support war for whatever reason but I ask all of you to respect the warriors for the person they are, no the American that they are and always will be. For the fact that which ever war they fought in, they fought bravely. Some are gone now. Some never made it home but many are still with us. Some people on that wall may have wondered what would be said about them once they are gone. As on that wall, many names reside on the black Vietnam memorial wall in DC and the many walls, memorials to come which hold words of gratitude and honor, strength, determination and hope.
Of course nice words were said at their funeral, to their survivors. But why not say those same words to them now when they are there to hear them? Why not feel the pride felt when a spouse is handed an American flag at a military funeral every day. Veterans today will be all around you this holiday, male and female and of all ages. The stories and miracles they hold are priceless to the American history, because they wrote it with their souls. Veterans Day, formerly Armistice Day in commemoration of the signing of the Armistice ending World War I, is the anniversary of the ending of World War I. In the United States it is celebrated as a federal holiday on 11 November. According to the VA website, the major hostilities ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. Veterans Day has been observed annually on this date since 1978, except for a brief period when it was celebrated on the fourth Monday of October. Following World War II, the name of the holiday was changed (enacted 1 June 1954) to Veterans Day to honor those who served in all American wars. The day has since evolved to primarily be a time of honoring living veterans who have served in the military during wartime or peacetime, partially due to competition with Memorial Day, which primarily honors the dead.
The Marine Coprs Birthday is Nov 10th 1775. It has been 230 years of kicking ass and taking names to ensure our fellow Americans and freedom continue to be safe. This has become ever so evident today as it was back on Mount Suribachi when Lt Gen Holland said “‘the raising of that flag on Suribachi means a Marine Corps for the next 500 years.” I know this will be true because of our country’s outstanding 24.9 million Veterans and their fierce fight within them.
I close with a story
When I was a Platoon Commander and had about 45 Marines under my command we occasionally had a few that had disciplinary problems. That year I got a little creative and instead of prosecuting them under the Uniform Code Of Military Justice (UCMJ) the military legal system, I decided to offer them another option that wouldn’t reflect on their records. I directed them along with myself to meet me at 0600 in their USMC Service Alpha uniform (Green Coat & Green pants like worn by Jack Nicholson in the movie “Few Good Men”) in front of the barracks. Not going into details, they took the offer. We drove a quite hot hour to a Veteran’s Hospital. Clinching Marine bumper stickers and posters and American flags we had no agenda. We looked each other over and began our mission, No time limit, no schedule. We went in to the first floor and told them “we are here to make sure people know we are thinking about them”. You want to talk about surprising someone. The nurses immediately took us to see some rough and tuff warriors and told us you must see Gen Richardson. As you entered his conservative room there was a tired warrior with oxygen in his nose, family picture of his grandkids on his nightstand and the Stars & Bars on the wall, orientated correctly. The nurse said “General the Marines are here”. He said “you guys here to get me outa here?” I said yip I got your shoes lets GO. He couldn’t move from his bed but he enjoyed the offer. Along with him and several other gentlemen the Marines sat and mainly listened as warriors from Normandy on through the wars told their story but surprisingly were so interested in the young Marines story and reinforced how proud they were of the young men sitting with them in their impeccable uniforms. I could barley sit there and watch as these gentlemen hooked to all kinds of contraptions had a glow in their face and tried to sit up in their beds to shake young warriors hands. I felt pretty dang humble. One gentleman in a wheel chair dressed in his Sundays best asked one of the Marines, “where does a rusty old Marine find one of those Eagle Globe and Anchor tie clasps”? (these are worn with this type of uniform by Marines). The Marine looked down at his own tie clasp and said you mean like this one, as he clasped it on the gentleman’s tie. The guy just through his arms around the Marine and gave him a big bear hug. Money can’t buy you feelings like that.
All of the Marines that day left the hospital a little different that day. It was a quiet ride back to the base and no one really said anything but everyone was thinking the same thing. We were all very proud to be associated with the gentlemen we just visited with and very appreciative that “they” did what they did for their country. The other 364 days of the year will probably be the same as any other day as the nurse stated “these guys don’t get many visitors”, but that Veterans Day was different for all of us.
As we continue operations here in Iraq I will light up a cigar in your honor and say Thank you veterans and Happy Birthday Marines!
Semper Fidelis
posted on November 11, 2005 01:03:08 PM new
Yes....Happy Veteran's Day...
and a HUGE thank you, as always, to those who have served this great Nation of ours. We owe you, and your families, a great debt of gratitude and much more than the 'thanks' that you get for your own personal sacrifaces.
posted on November 11, 2005 03:09:36 PM new
Happy Veterans Day and a big thank you to
all our brave and honorable Men and Women in
the military now and in the past. May your
day be filled with peace and happiness.
posted on November 11, 2005 03:50:23 PM new
I see Classic was able to show his front side for a change. He also has his pants up as well.
What was the ocassion squidly didly?
Absolute faith has been shown, consistently, to breed intolerance. And intolerance, history teaches us, again and again, begets violence.
---------------------------------- The duty of a patriot in this time and place is to ask questions, to demand answers, to understand where our nation is headed and why. If the answers you get do not suit you, or if they frighten you, or if they anger you, it is your duty as a patriot to dissent. Freedom does not begin with blind acceptance and with a flag. Freedom begins when you say 'No.'
posted on November 12, 2005 04:10:08 AM new
Since somebody posts this poem every year ... and obviously that somebody forgot it this year, I will post it.
Thanks to all the Veterans!
In Flanders Fields In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie, In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow, In Flanders fields.
posted on November 12, 2005 05:31:50 AM new
Yea Linda,when I was typing out the date,I realized its 40 years ago this month.
I had this pic taken for my high school sweetheart who I would be engaged to the following year.She wrote back and asked "whats that on your arm" It was a tatoo I just had done the previous week,and was quite proud of it.I told her what it was,and I dont remember the exact words she used,but she wasnt impressed :
[ edited by classicrock000 on Nov 12, 2005 05:42 AM ]
posted on November 12, 2005 06:03:19 AM new
classic - Tattoo's weren't as popular back in those days as they've become now. I know I was thankful that when my son's 8 year stint was up in the Marines....he had managed to get out without one.
But I can't tell what yours is....please share.
I graduated summer of '66 from high school. Tons of guys from my class served in Vietnam....many died there too. Glad you, bear and all the others here managed to make it back home safely.
posted on November 12, 2005 06:22:31 AM newsorry to disappoint ya dad,but you well know by now this is a family show.
Oh please. Is that the best you can do.
Absolute faith has been shown, consistently, to breed intolerance. And intolerance, history teaches us, again and again, begets violence.
---------------------------------- The duty of a patriot in this time and place is to ask questions, to demand answers, to understand where our nation is headed and why. If the answers you get do not suit you, or if they frighten you, or if they anger you, it is your duty as a patriot to dissent. Freedom does not begin with blind acceptance and with a flag. Freedom begins when you say 'No.'
posted on November 12, 2005 07:16:03 AM new
Classic, every time you post a new picture...you seem to get older and older to me...lol!!(I'm like how old is this guy anyway? hahaha!)
Linda, my husband called me from his 1st station and asked me what I thought of him getting a tatoo and I said I didnt think it was a very good idea. Little did I know he had already gotten it. Of course, when I came to see him he had tried to hide it and didnt want me to see it. A while later, the crazy azz got one on his head! Then he tells me he almost passed out from bleeding when they were doing it!
posted on November 12, 2005 08:25:53 AM newSince somebody posts this poem every year ... and obviously that somebody forgot it this year, I will post it.
I doubt they forgot. After some pissant’s previous response I’m sure they just chose a more favorable environment this year, that’s all.
posted on November 12, 2005 08:32:19 AM new
Yes, I am sure everyone concerned remembered and then forgot. kiara, you are much a liar as you are a pilfer.
posted on November 12, 2005 09:09:23 AM new
Linda-its nothing really special.Its a Navy insignia with the letters USN in bright red.It was really beautiful back then-but now its faded some.A lot of people on my ship had them,and one thing they told me NEVER to do was have your girl friends name tattoed on.Since I did not marry my high school sweetheart,it was a wise decision One of the most impressive tattoos I had ever seen was back in 1963 when I first joined the Navy Reserve when I was a Jr in high school.Even thou I was still in high school,I still had to do two weeks Reserve training every year.When I went down to Mayport,Fl, which is right near Jacksonville,I was on a destroyer there in Aug of 1963.I saw this guy come out of the shower and he had this tatto of a ship exploding on the top of his chest,with a wake of a torpedo in the middle and a periscope of a sub on his stomach.Okay,I have to admit,I was pretty impressed LOL
DB-when they put thesse tatoos on,they do it with a gun and they bleed.It doesnt hurt all that bad,more like a stinging sensation.After they're done,they put a Gauss over it and told me not to get it wet for a week.After the week was up,I took the Gauss off and it was okay.I'm not sure how old you thought I was,but I'm 59 will be 60 in March.
Dad-I'm not sure what reply you were expecting.Did ya thing I was going to say something nasty?I said in another thread,that I spent 40 days with crowfart while I was on vacation and she changed my ways,and showed up the evil ways of the neocons.So now I'm a REAL NICE GUY.............
posted on November 12, 2005 10:20:54 AM new
dbl - LOL....just like a man....do it first then ask if it's okay.
I really have no objection to one or two tattoo's....but imo, some take it to the extreme.
But OMG...on his HEAD? LOL
--------
Thanks classic. I guess the one you described would get lots of attention. LOL And I agree on not putting a woman's name on your body....next woman isn't generally going to be too thrilled about that.
Also just wanted to share that I love it when you share the different pictures from your youth....travels..etc. Thanks.
posted on November 12, 2005 12:26:43 PM new
Linda-no problem-I took lots of pics way back when as I have been thru every state except Alaska.The one thing I wish I had back then was a video camera.In our recent trips to Canada,we used the camcorder inclusively.The great thing is you dont have to have them developed and I just love when I run the tape on my big screen TV-its almost like your there again.
posted on November 12, 2005 12:47:23 PM new
hi classic, I guess I thought you were closer in age to me (in the forties) It always seemed that way...but you can be my daddy now <wink wink, ha, ha, lol>
Linda, I know. Some men pull stunts enough to make ya nuts! The one on his head is now covered with hair at least until the summer when he goes on one of his mr. clean looks and shaves his whole head. He is lucky he has a nice enough head to do that. The tatoo was over 10 years ago and its faded alot since then. It wasnt a big one, just this round circle thing.
posted on November 12, 2005 03:57:21 PM new
add: I also enjoy classics pictures. Makes me feel downright chummy with'em - like I've known him all my life.
Yes, you are right about NTS. She has her moments tho. (but I think she backs down for the most part because she doesnt like confrontation.) but yea, she is one of the nicest people to post here.
.
[ edited by dblfugger9 on Nov 12, 2005 03:59 PM ]
