Posted on 11/17/2004 3:30:32 PM PST by snopercod
This is one story of many that people normally don't hear, and one that everyone does.
This is one most don't hear:
A young Marine and his cover man cautiously enter a room just recently filled with insurgents armed with Ak-47's and RPG's. There are three dead, another wailing in pain. The insurgent can be heard saying, "Mister, mister! Diktoor, diktoor(doctor)!" He is badly wounded, lying in a pool of his own blood. The Marine and his cover man slowly walk toward the injured man, scanning to make sure no enemies come from behind. In a split second, the pressure in the room greatly exceeds that of the outside, and the concussion seems to be felt before the blast is heard. Marines outside rush to the room, and look in horror as the dust gradually settles. The result is a room filled with the barely recognizable remains of the deceased, caused by an insurgent setting off several pounds of explosives.
The Marines' remains are gathered by teary eyed comrades, brothers in arms, and shipped home in a box. The families can only mourn over a casket and a picture of their loved one, a life cut short by someone who hid behind a white flag.
But no one hears these stories, except those who have lived to carry remains of a friend, and the families who loved the dead. No one hears this, so no one cares.
This is the story everyone hears:
A young Marine and his fire team cautiously enter a room just recently filled with insurgents armed with AK-47's and RPG's. There are three dead, another wailing in pain. The insugent can be heard saying, "Mister, mister! Diktoor, diktoor(doctor)!" He is badly wounded. Suddenly, he pulls from under his bloody clothes a grenade, without the pin. The explosion rocks the room, killing one Marine, wounding the others. The young Marine catches shrapnel in the face.
The next day, same Marine, same type of situation, a different story. The young Marine and his cover man enter a room with two wounded insurgents. One lies on the floor in puddle of blood, another against the wall. A reporter and his camera survey the wreckage inside, and in the background can be heard the voice of a Marine, "He's moving, he's moving!"
The pop of a rifle is heard, and the insurgent against the wall is now dead. Minutes, hours later, the scene is aired on national television, and the Marine is being held for commiting a war crime. Unlawful killing.
And now, another Marine has the possibility of being burned at the stake for protecting the life of his brethren. His family now wrings their hands in grief, tears streaming down their face. Brother, should I have been in your boots, i too would have done the same.
For those of you who don't know, we Marines, Band of Brothers, Jarheads, Leathernecks, etc., do not fight because we think it is right, or think it is wrong. We are here for the man to our left, and the man to our right. We choose to give our lives so that the man or woman next to us can go home and see their husbands, wives, children, friends and families.
For those of you who sit on your couches in front of your television, and choose to condemn this man's actions, I have but one thing to say to you. Get out of your recliner, lace up my boots, pick up a rifle, leave your family behind and join me. See what I've seen, walk where I have walked. To those of you who support us, my sincerest gratitude. You keep us alive.
I am a Marine currently doing his second tour in Iraq. These are my opinions and mine alone. They do not represent those of the Marine Corps or of the US military, or any other.
This Marine's sentiments make me think of a US soldier, with the cation "Before You Condemn Me Try Walking in My Boots" or something like that. And bumperstickers with your branch and a similar slogan. An ad or 600 saying the same thing would be nice.
I've been depressed since the story broke, because the networks aren't out to make one Marine wrongly reviled : it's the entire US military they want to brand in Winter Soldier redux.
Now I've got bit of hope. God Bless our heros in uniform.
God Bless the marines and the Marine Corps. Thank you for your service and your sacrifice.
Semper Fidelis.
You are ALWAYS FAITHFUL and we are ALWAYS APPRECIATIVE.
To Gehenna with your enemies.
Mad as a hornet about this young Marine (who was protecting that &%^^$ photographer) who is being piloried for doing what he should have done? Let your voice be heard:
Office of the Commandant of the Marine Corps (DC)
1.703.614.2500
NBC
1.202.885.4200
Sen. John Warner, R-Va, Chairman, Armed Services Comm
1.202.224.2023
White House
1.202.456.1414
Donald Rumsfeld, D of Defense
1.703.428.0711
USMC Public Relations
1.703.614.1492
IMEFMEDIATEAM@IMEFDM.USMC.mil
Public Relations, Marine Corps
the photographer, an anti-war activist:
kevin@kevinsites.net
Anyone who would have reacted differently after surviving a booby trap and witnessing its devastation, I don't want watching my back.
Thank You US Armed forces.
God Bless you all and keep you safe. We're behind you 1000 percent.
God Bless These Brave Marines.
Looks like a Kerry loving retaliation by this long haired girly-man.
Roger that - will do.
Shouldn't have read this, as it makes me even more angry. I want the blue states deported!
No doubt, pay back for the Marlboro Man. Don't want the Marines too adored do they! MSM=pathetic Aholes.
This Marine is a HERO !!! God Bless him !!!!!!
Who may have done the right thing. That's why there's an investigation.
Despite the media hype, the military is acting in an exemplary fashion. There are credible accusations of a war crime, so you get the soldier out of the area to minimize damage, and begin an investigation. More power to them - that's exactly what they should do.
Whatever the outcome though, I'll join you in saying Gob Bless You to the marine.
Drew Garrett
I say you are right and we have to be heard, this is how many of us can do our part. Our soldiers need our help more than ever. That video should have been screened and never released!
Retaliation of some sort against the legacy media is long overdue. Use your imagination.
Fox News showed film of one Marine who had been killed by a "wounded insurgent" the day before, within a block of where the accused Marine shot the bastard. It looked like his buddies were putting him in a body bag.
Well said. I have no problem with the way the military is handling it. The media is an entirely different story.
Heard on Michael Savage's show last night that he is starting a legal defense fund for the Marine in question. It should not be needed of course, that is if his commander has any balls, but just in case.
I, for one, plan on letting General Electric, owner of the NBC networks, that none of THEIR products are going to be on my Christmas shopping list. Can you imagine if we all banded together and GE, thus NBC et al, felt the pinch???
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