Posted on 07/29/2017 8:05:12 AM PDT by DUMBGRUNT
"Please don't mention my son," he asked the Marine Corps officer introducing him.
Four days earlier, 2nd Lt. Robert M. Kelly , 29, had stepped on a land mine while leading a platoon of Marines in southern Afghanistan. He was killed instantly.
At 6:10 a.m. on Nov. 9, Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr., one of Kelly's oldest and dearest friends, rang the doorbell at his home in the Washington Navy Yard. The instant Kelly saw Dunford, dressed in his service uniform, he knew Robert was dead.
His wife, Karen, was still asleep. "I then did the most difficult thing I've done in my life," Kelly said. "I walked upstairs, woke Karen to the news and broke her heart."
(Excerpt) Read more at freerepublic.com ...
Yes you need to give a click to the W.P. to read. Don't sweat the small shite.
I’m told only about 2% of the population are in the military or a military associated family.
Most people I encounter have no idea what it involves, how long the hours are, how demanding it can be or much of anything else about it.
so true about America not realizing the sacrifice that those in the armed forces make along with there family members. I suggest to anyone that wants a good cry and to feel good at the same time to go to YouTube and search for family’s welcoming home solders. it is a little voyeuristic but there is nothing like seeing the reaction of the under the age of 12 groups to dad or mom coming home from a long deployment.
But at about this time last year, the Media Wing of the Party of Government was giving wall to wall coverage of Khan.
possibly...
When I was in during Nam about 10% of the population were veterans...
its got to be a lot lower now...
Ditto. I said the same thing after I had to do it. My wife screamed at the top of her lungs. Over and over and over...
That’s heartbreaking.
The mothers know, I think it is written in their heart.
The Marine Moms Online, know first despite official efforts to notify the parents first.
8 April 2006, a Marine friend was hit, our son was with him.
The moms knew something bad had happened, but not what.
The mother called my wife about her son, I heard my wife screaming.
I ran into the room she was crying and said it was Philip, her friend’s son.
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
Most liberals I know think they are all stupid or brainwashed.
For the most part I can tell them that they are dead wrong.
We all know most do it out of duty, pride and loyalty to each other. For the last 8 years they have done it in spite of the CiC.
Thank you for posting this.
And thanks to President Trump, for having enough humility to bring on board of man of such high integrity. This might be his best appt yet (maybe a tie with Gen Mattis).
Words are so inadequate - but our condolences to you and your family. We are indeed grateful for your son’s service.
About a year before my son was killed, he wrote on some forum:
Posted - 01/04/2004 : 22:14:48
Chao: Define, “people in uniform”
I serve part time in the Marines, in a combat role no less, and if the $#!7 hits the fan, I’ll be one of the first on the line to die. I’m an E-2, so I don’t get paid jack-squat either. And technology? My issued M16A2 rifle was built by Colt and has a very low serial number, and Colt lost the contract to build M16’s for the US government to FN Manufacturing in 1988....
Hey, I agree that the “suits” who run gigantic corporate enterprises that make cutting-edge technology are more interested in money than the well-being of mankind, and frankly it disturbs me that wealth and power are becoming one. I know that sounds wierd for someone studying engineering, but I’m also buddhist, so wealth and materialism is pretty darned low on my priority list anyway.
One thing keeps popping up in my mind though... a couple years ago I swore an oath, that I would “...support and defend the Constitution of the United states against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same...”
I didn’t join up to be part of some government conspiracy—I joined because I thought it was just one small way that I could contribute to the people of this country... although the discipline didn’t hurt much either. As I think back to that oath, something about all enemies, foreign AND DOMESTIC... I wonder who is really to blame for the degredation of the American society.
My money’s on the American mass media. It seems like you can’t turn on the news without seeing news reports about the death and destruction, and commercials that seem to subtlely induce worthlessness or fear, offering solace in the consumption of goods and services. The way I see it, people in this country (and the attitude is spreading across the globe), are encouraged by corporations and broadcasters to spend more and acquire more stuff, inducing a sense of security in material wealth. Some things, even tradition, can have a spin put on them to make the public needlessly wary—even fearful. Why aren’t houses in this country built with big front porches anymore? Probably because we know more about fictional TV characters than we do our own neighbors....
Though I think this veritable brainwashing may not have been intentional, the people who cultivate this sort of society have a lot of the general public in their pocket, and many are trying to use their positions to reshape the world the way they think it should be, not taking into account any consequence of their actions.
Given a choice and an opportunity, I’d gladly do my part to “restructure” the commercial institutions that poison the society whose flag will one day be draped over my coffin. [/rant]
Country: Iraq ~ Posts: 175 ~ Member Since: 09/01/2003 ~ Last Visit: 01/11/2005
He was 19 years old when he wrote that.
12 years ago and the ontly thing that has changed since he wrote this is that ithas become worse.
We are nothing but a plotocracy / corporatocracy. A government by the people led by people for sale to the highest bidder who become elites and none come out of office less than multi millionaires on $175K or so a year. It is truly a miracle isn’t it? Somehow people who behave as if they don’t have enough sense to pour pi$$ out of a boot and claim to spend all their time either “serving” us or raising campaign funds can be expert stock and investment pickers. I wonder how it is done?
They couldn’t have carried water for your 19 year-old son.
The thread title reminded me of my late mother telling me about many homes that had a star in the window in her town during WWII and how sad it was every time a new star appeared somewhere.
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