Posted on 02/21/2015 2:52:47 PM PST by jonascord
HUNTER GARTH was in a gunfight for his life — and about to lose.
He and seven other Marines were huddled in a mud hut, their only refuge after they walked into an ambush in Trek Nawa, a Taliban stronghold in Afghanistan. Down to his last 15 bullets, one buddy already terribly wounded, Mr. Garth pulled off his helmet, smoked a cheap Afghan cigarette, and “came to terms with what was happening.”
“I’m going to die here with my best friends,” he recalled thinking.
I didn’t know any of this — nor the remarkable story of his survival that day — when I met him two months ago in Colorado while reporting for an article about the marijuana industry, for which Mr. Garth and his company provide security. But I did know he was a vet and so I did what seemed natural: I thanked him for his service.
“No problem,” he said.
It wasn’t true. There was a problem.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
I carry a dog tag with a US serial number on it because I was drafted.
I was not in Nam however I appreciate those who were and had I been sent I would have gladly gone. There were many who ansered the call in Viet Nam and every war from the Revolution up to that one.
Were it not for those who went before me and all the others in all the other wars fought none of us would have had the privilege of growing up in the greatest country of all. We might have been speaking Japaneeese or German.
I remember how veterans were treated after Nam and I make it a point to thank all Veterans and especially active duty and tell them or spouses that someone is thinkging about them and appreciates there service that I can remain free.
The time is coming however when it appears I will have to defend the oath I took upon being drafted and look forward to doing so if necessary for my children and grandchildren to hopefully have the chance to enjoy the freedoms that I have been blessed with during my lifetime.
I am now older so my days are numbered may the Lord give me the strength to do what I must do for my Lord, my Country and Family.
I beg to differ. Any military is a team effort. You did your part, whatever it was. For that, we owe you our thanks.
So ... thanks.
The guiding force of the Vietnam generation was/is “Never Again! will our nation turn its back on our returning Veterans”
BTW, what’s the “76” mean?
Sarge - I was “post-Vietnam” and “76” is the year I entered the Marine Corps.
Amen!
Parris Island?
I was a DI in 2nd BN from May ‘76 on.
At any rate, I would not assume the three vets quoted speak for them all. The author is a typical Code Pinko with his talk about killing peasants in Vietnam and no WMDs in Iraq. I wouldn’t trust him.
I was told at Ft Lewis not to wear my uniform
into Tacoma after getting back.
The busses we rode in had wire mesh covering the windows
pcpa - Please check out my Post #18 to “billthedrill” about the upcoming Convention of States. Hopefully, we wont have to execute our Oath. I would think that most of will if it comes to that.
We came off the plane in Bangor, Maine VERY early in the morning for customs clearance and refueling. As we came out of the jetway, there was a double row of Vietnam Vets, each holding out a cell phone saying “Here - call your wife”
“The Times loathes the courtesy shown to any veteran, so take this one with a bucket of salt.”
Bingo!
That’s the purpose of the piece.
I agree with you. I think saying “thank you for your service” to guys like me who spent their years on active duty far away from the gunfire, killing and dying is ok and I,for one, always appreciate it.
But, for the guys that have walked through hell (really, really & truly, not the Brian Williams types) the statement “thank you for your service” statement, upon thoughtful reflection, really does just “not quite cut it”.
This is why many combat vets just don’t want to talk about “their service” at all.
Sorry Sarge.... I’m “A 90-Day Wonder” from the 98th Officer Candidate Class at MCDEC, Quantico, VA (June 13 - August 20, 1976)! By the way, the late GySgt Carlos Hathcock USMC was our Marksmanship Instructor while we were at The Basic School. What a Marine!
My “Twilight Tour” was at MCRD, Parris Island. I was the XO of “Heat & Steam” Battalion — H&SBn with collateral duties as the OIC, Casual Company, Depot Traffic Magistrate and OIC of the Regional Brig.
Memories!
Just missed each other.
I was permanent personnel (S4) at OCS MCDEC until April 76, when I went to DI School
Sarge - My Drill Instructors at OCS were Gunnery Sergeant Edwin Ramos and Sergeant Sherman Brown.
Our Marine DIs ...Names we never forget!
People don’t usually thank police officers, warrant officers, or search & rescue personnel for their service. And if they do it’s certainly not every time they eat out or go shopping.
Don’t they deserve to be showered with trendy service slogans for a job they get paid for and benefits from, too??
By the way, it’s probably good that we “just missed each other” at OCS. You might have had to yell at me a time or two! ; )
Absolutely, Police Officers deserve thanks and recognition too. The big difference is, me, personally, I don’t go out of my way attracting the attention of any police officer. If I have been working with someone on the force to resolve a legal matter, then yes, in private, as a one to one communication with someone who already knows me, that sort of Officer I will thank. Otherwise, they may wonder ‘What the hell is this guy so ‘happy’ about? Is he compensating out of guilt?”
I don’t agree with this. I’m a disabled Vietnam navy vet, and sometimes wear a Navy ball cap. I find that most folks that “thank me” for my service are also vets.
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