And then there are things like this. These armored vehicles are expensive, but six ex-pats survived an IED in this. Minor cuts and scrapes for two people. The cost of the vehicle was worth every dime.
Posted on 03/21/2007 3:05:06 PM PDT by Number57
A few months ago, I found a Web site loaded with pictures and videos from Iraq, the sort that usually aren't seen on the news. I watched insurgent snipers shoot American soldiers and car bombs disintegrate markets, accompanied by tinny music and loud, rhythmic chanting, the soundtrack of the propaganda campaigns. Video cameras focused on empty stretches of road, building anticipation. Humvees rolled into view and the explosions brought mushroom clouds of dirt and smoke and chunks of metal spinning through the air. Other videos and pictures showed insurgents shot dead while planting roadside bombs or killed in firefights and the remains of suicide bombers, people how they're not meant to be seen, no longer whole. The images sickened me, but their familiarity pulled me in, giving comfort, and I couldn't stop. I clicked through more frames, hungry for it. This must be what a shot of dope feels like after a long stretch of sobriety. Soothing and nauseating and colored by everything that has come before. My body tingled and my stomach ached, hollow. I stood on weak legs and walked into the kitchen to make dinner. I sliced half an onion before putting the knife down and watching slight tremors run through my hand. The shakiness lingered. I drank a beer. And as I leaned against this kitchen counter, in this house, in America, my life felt very foreign.
(Excerpt) Read more at men.msn.com ...
Thanks for the ping.
Any time, my FRiend.
I can't get in to read the whole article... How bout posting it at my place, or just send it to me e-mail.
Forum locale is my tag line...
Excellent point Arch. After today and the antics in the House of Representatives, I pray not only that all military personnel are kept safe, but also that the entire military community, especially family members, recognize that they are foremost in our hearts, minds and prayers constantly.
I thank God for their love of our country and culture and their willingness to risk everything to preserve them.
EODGUY
And then there are things like this. These armored vehicles are expensive, but six ex-pats survived an IED in this. Minor cuts and scrapes for two people. The cost of the vehicle was worth every dime.
As he turned around to greet me when and as I walked up to him I noticed his hat said "Marine Veteran Pacific Campaign 1943-1945".
I thanked him for his service to our country and he asked me if I'd ever been in the military. I told him that I had indeed served in the Marine Corps. He then asked if I'd ever been overseas. I said yes I had.
He told me he thought so. "You can always tell a Marine" He said. He asked where I'd been and I told him. "Well we both lost a lot of good people, didn't we." I agreed that we most certainly had.
We chatted for a bit longer and then I handed him one of my fliers and turned to take my leave of him so he could get back to tending his flowers.
As I was leaving he looked at me and said "Brother I wish I could tell you it gets better. But I'd be lying if I did."
We both started to tear up at that point, each of us dealing silently with the memories of comrades we'd lost.
We must have looked pretty silly; one bald middled aged man and one very old man just staring at each other with tears rolling down our cheeks. The damned thing about it was that it was such a beautiful day. The sun was shining brightly, the old mans flowers were blooming beautifully, and the air was fragrant with the scent of the blossoms in his yard and yet there we were just looking at each other crying.
It's been almost 25 years for me, and over half a century for that old Marine and still...
The House vote indicates to me that we need more veterans seeking political office: the country needs serious leaders of good character.
"The House vote indicates to me that we need more veterans seeking political office: the country needs serious leaders of good character."
If I could respectfully make one alteration to your comment, with which I agree completely. We need more HONORABLE veterans seeking political office.
Frankly, I don't consider people like Kerry, Murtha or Gore honorable veterans.
EODGUY
BTTT
I've been out of the Army for a dozen years now. I miss it every day. Some of us are just like that, with or without the inner or outer scars.
God Bless You, Tet68. I've been meaning to tell you that. :)
Thanks for posting this, Number 57. Very powerful stuff.
"That is one of the saddest aspects of America having lost so many who were worth so much -- for so many who are worthless."
Amen to that.
You get 'em. When you turn around, I'll be there.
Indeed.
Don't know about "overcoming" that stuff. Get used to it, maybe. Maybe not.
Don’t believe you are correct. The “adventure”, travel, peace corps, climbing mountains, risking, courting death, all that stuff, is not at all, not at all, not one bit, anything like experiencing war. I mean, not at all.
For instance, war is much more intense than raising a family, divorce, having mother and brother die, having cancer, and, I think, more intense than dying in bed. So much more intense that there is no comparison.
Lots of us the same place you are. The passing decades don’t change things at all. Nothing you say or do will ever get through to those people. Never.
The feminist paradise that is currently America will shriek at this masterpiece of masculinity. This is very powerfully written and speaks to the core of the drives that men have to conquer, create, build and take risks.
Where most women seek security and avoid risk at almost any cost, men seek to conquer and build. It’s too bad for men that America is becoming a feminist nanny state.
Old cop buddy used to tell me stories for some years, and then one day I told him that, I mean, cops retire. Sure see a bunch of human nature, though.
Just finished reading the whole published piece. Reminds me of my youth, my attempts to get across to people this reality I knew. But, you know, I never got through to them.
The rest of the old war guys here on the thread know what I am saying.
Anyway, this young man of war will, after a relatively short time, stop trying to get through to people. Those that know what he is trying to say already know, and those that don’t know what he is saying never will. Not ever, not even after the end of time.
Well, maybe then. I have high hopes for Heaven.
Hey, we build those machines where I work! Drive a ‘98 three quarter ton one myself.
Really am not surprised at the way the damage looks, the machine is made to do that, that is how it is built, how it is designed. Not surprised that no one was hurt to speak of. Well, a bit surprised.
These machines have gone off the road at over 80 miles per hour, gone end over end, made divots in the ground a hundred yards apart, the impacts break out all the windows and all of the sheet metal looks like the left side in the picture. The people walk away. (I see crash histories and photos some.)
They are injured, of course. Most recover without serious medical problems though.
Oh, yeah, that is why I drive one. Wanted to keep my wife and kids alive. The best machines of their type made. By far.
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