I will not forget.

Strangecosmos ^ | MGySgt. Ed Evans USMC (Ret.)

[damnlimey]

Can't vouch for authenticity. But liked what it says. These are the very wise words of a Retired Marine Master Gunnery Sergeant.

His words are very striking and pointed, well worth your time to read. I would like to think that each and everyone of you feel the same as MGySgt Evans.

========================== I Will NOT Forget!

I sat in a movie theater watching "Schindler's List," asked myself, "Why didn't the Jews fight back?"
Now I know why.

I sat in a movie theater, watching "Pearl Harbor and asked myself, "Why weren't we prepared?"
Now I know why.

Civilized people cannot fathom, much less predict, the actions of evil people.

On September 11, dozens of capable airplane passengers allowed themselves to be overpowered by a handful of poorly armed terrorists because they did not comprehend the depth of hatred that motivated their captors.

On September 11, thousands of innocent people were murdered because too many Americans naively reject the reality that some nations are dedicated to the dominance of others. Many political pundits, pacifists and media personnel want us to forget the carnage. They say we must focus on the bravery of the rescuers and ignore the cowardice of the killers.

They implore us to understand the motivation of the perpetrators. Major television stations have announced they will assist the healing process by not replaying devastating footage of the planes crashing into the Twin Towers.

I will not be manipulated.

I will not pretend to understand.

I will not forget.

I will not forget the liberal media who abused freedom of the press to kick our country when it was vulnerable and hurting.

I will not forget that CBS anchor Dan Rather preceded President Bush's address to the nation with the snide remark, "No matter how you feel about him, he is still our president."

I will not forget that ABC TV anchor Peter Jennings questioned President Bush's motives for not returning immediately to Washington, DC and commented, "We're all pretty skeptical and cynical about Washington."

And, I will not forget that ABC's Mark Halperin warned if reporters weren't informed of every little detail of this war, they aren't "likely - nor should they be expected-to show deference."

I will not isolate myself from my fellow Americans by pretending an attack on the USS Cole in Yemen was not an attack on the United States of America.

I will not forget the Clinton administration equipped Islamic terrorists and their supporters with the world's most sophisticated telecommunications equipment and encryption technology, thereby compromising America's ability to trace terrorist radio, cell phone, land lines, faxes and modem communications.

I will not be appeased with pointless, quick retaliatory strikes like those perfected by the previous administration.

I will not be comforted by "feel-good, do nothing" regulations like the silly "Have your bags been under your control?" question at the airport.

I will not be influenced by so called,"antiwar demonstrators" who exploit the right of expression to chant anti-American obscenities.

I will not forget the moral victory handed the North Vietnamese by American war protesters who reviled and spat upon the returning soldiers, airmen, sailors and Marines.

I will not be softened by the wishful thinking of pacifists who chose reassurance over reality.

I will embrace the wise words of Prime Minister Tony Blair who told Labor Party conference, "They have no moral inhibition on the slaughter of the innocent. If they could have murdered not 7,000 but 70,000, does anyone doubt they would have done so and rejoiced in it?

There is no compromise possible with such people, no meeting of minds, no point of understanding with such terror. Just a choice: defeat it or be defeated by it. And defeat it we must!"

I will force myself to:
* hear the weeping
* feel the helplessness
* imagine the terror
* sense the panic
* smell the burning flesh
* experience the loss
* remember the hatred.

I sat in a movie theater, watching "Private Ryan" and asked myself, "Where did they find the courage?"

Now I know.

We have no choice. Living without liberty is not living.

MGySgt. Ed Evans USMC (Ret.)

Not as lean,
Not as mean,
But still a Marine.
Semper Fi,

[damnlimey]

Another of those email type deals but more poignant than most.
An eloquent marine,who'd a thunked it.
I will not forget.

[HairOfTheDog]

It's good. I will also not forget. Thanks for the post.

[HairOfTheDog]

We must also not forget the positives.

I will also not forget the fantastic work that George W. Bush and Rudy Guiliani gave to a country that needed to feel that they were not powerless.

Nor will I forget that when attacked from the outside, this country became one strong and united nation for a time. Of course, we have returned to some bickering amongst ourselves, but I believe we should remember for some time, that when it counts... This country can pull together.

[fnord]

Semper Fi bump

[RangeRatt]

some of the wisest people I know are Marine Gunnery Sergeants. This post is just another example of why. Thanks, Limey.

[Valin]

On September 11, dozens of capable airplane passengers allowed themselves to be overpowered by a handful of poorly armed terrorists because they did not comprehend the depth of hatred that motivated their captors.

I have a friend who's a pacifist. As I said to him, "The world is full of people who only understand that I have a big stick, and if you don't behave I'm going to hit you with it. For every Mother Teresa there are 10 Pol-Pots."

[damnlimey]

I don't know why it still amazes me how easily people can forget.
History provides numerous "unforgettable" examples of mans capacity for evil,
and yet people worldwide still believe it can't happen to them.
This is the advantage that these people will always have over the rest of us.
Their actions are not restricted by decency or humanity,
they will continue to blindly follow the orders of their leaders
for as long as the world allows them to.
I will not forget,and I will not allow others to.

[Valin]

Their actions are not restricted by decency or humanity, they will continue to blindly follow the orders of their leaders for as long as the world allows them to.

I have a simple soulution to that little problem. Revoke their breathing privileges.