Posted on 01/19/2005 9:51:40 AM PST by Mo1
No commentary needed. The 3 minute read below says more than a 20 page article could say about our military and the constitution of our men and women in Iraq. Unfortunately, you won't see stories like this in the mainstream media.
This was written by a Navy Commander at a port in Kuwait:
"They are so damn young"
I was going to the gym tonight (really just a huge tent with weights and treadmills), and we had heard that one of the MEUs (Marine Exp Units) that had come out of service in the "triangle" was reploying (leaving country).
We saw their convoy roll in to the Kuwait Naval Base as the desert sun was setting.
I have never seen anything like this.
Trucks and humvees that looked like they had just come through a shredder. Their equipment was full of shrapnel blast holes, and missing entire major pieces that you could tell had been blasted by IEDs.
These kids looked bad too! I mean, sunken eyes, thin as rails, and that 1000-yard stare they talk about after direct combat. Made me pretty damn embarrassed to be a "rear area soldier".
All people could do was stop in their tracks and stare... and feel like me... like I wanted to bow my head in reverence.
A Marine Captain stationed with me, was standing next to me also headed to the gym. He said, "part of 1st Brigade Combat Team, 8th Marines, Sir. Took the heaviest losses of any single unit up north as part of Task Force Danger, sir."
As the convoy rolled up, all of us just slowly crept toward these kids as they dismounted the hummers and 5 tons. Of course, we were all shiny and clean compared to these warriors. These kids looked like they had just crawled from Iraq. I had my security badge and ID around my neck, and started to help them unload some of their duffle bags.
A crusty Gunny came up to me and said "Sir, you don't have to do that..."
"Gunny... yes I do..." I replied. No words could express my appreciation of these fine young soldiers. They all looked like they were in high school, or younger !! All held themselves sharply and confident, despite the extreme fatigue you could tell they had endured.
"You guys out of the triangle?" I asked.
"Yes, Sir, 14 months, and twice into the grinder, Sir" (both fights for Fallujah).
All I could do was throw my arm around their shoulders and say "Thanks, Marine, for taking the fight to the bad guys... we love you, man".
I looked at these young kids, not one of them complaining or showing signs of anything but focus, and good humor.
"Sir, have they got ice cream at the DFAC, Sir?" one of them asked. "I haven't had real ice cream since we got here..."
They continued to unload... and after I had done my hand shakes and shoulder hugs, the Captain and I looked at each other... They want ice cream, we'll get them ice cream. You see, a squid O-5 and a focused Marine O-3 can get just about anything, even if the mess is closed. Needless to say, we raided the closed DFAC (mess tent) - much to the chagrin of one very pissed off Mess SGT. - and grabbed boxes of ice cream sandwiches (as many as we could carry), and hustled back to the convoy.
I felt like Santa Claus.
"Thank you, Sir.." again and again from each troop, as we tossed up the bars to the guys in the trucks.
"Son, what the hell are you thanking me for...? I can't thank you enough..." I choked on the words.
And they are so damn young....
And I will sleep well knowing that young men like that are watching my back tonight.
They took the fight to the bad guys - so that the bad guys don't bring the fight back to the United States of America !!
God Bless them - keep them in your prayers !!
.
I know kids I'd like to see gain some of the discipline these soldiers have to have.
Grandmas and Grandkids
An elderly woman and her little grandson, whose face was sprinkled with bright freckles, spent the day at the zoo. Lots of children were waiting in line to get their cheeks painted by a local artist who was decorating them with tiger paws.
"You've got so many freckles, there's no place to paint!" a girl in the line said to the little fella. Embarrassed, the little boy dropped his head.
His grandmother knelt down next to him "I love your freckles. When I was a little girl I always wanted freckles, she said, while tracing her finger across the child's cheek. "Freckles are beautiful!"
The boy looked up, "Really?"
"Of course," said the grandmother. "Why, just name me one thing that's prettier than freckles."
The little boy thought for a moment, peered intensely into his grandma's face, and softly whispered,
"Wrinkles."
Some will.
Not likely some of the ones I'm thinking of.
Sad
Yep. I wasn't too encouraged by my 2 hour visit with little Miss Hot Pants this afternoon. I gave her an assignment to come up with 5 things that really matter to her that DON'T include boys. She looked at me like I had 2 heads.
What are you testing?
Me...
Nice job!
You don't?
Oooookay....
*Grumble*
Night Nully. Sweet dreams.
Goodnight all....
.....Westy.....
I'll think warm thoughts about you to counteract the cold...
*Smooch*
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