Posted on 04/26/2009 6:20:31 AM PDT by Eric
My fellow veterans please forgive me. But I must purge my soul. I only ask that you reserve judgment until you read all of if. I only want peace for all and a world free of torture.
What I saw in the military was much worse than water boarding. The prisoners were taken to a 12 foot deep pool. Feet weighted they were forced into the pool. Those who hesitated, were moved onto a plank high above the pool and forced off. They were to stay in this deep water for over an hour feet weighted and in full clothing. Those who touched the side of the pool had their fingers stepped on by angry guards. Not enough to break their fingers as that would reveal this terrible secret but just enough to inflect severe pain without detectable injury. The guards knew their craft well. Like water boarding, the prisoners were not allowed to drown. No, that would expose the cover-up.
It gets worse! I must tell all! They were then taken to a wooden building far from the main complex. A lantern like device burned in the middle of the building. It gave off a horrible gas. The prisoners were forced to run around the lantern without the benefit of the gas masks worn by the guards and sing in their native language their countrys patriotic songs. I saw them with my own eyes as they were finally released from the windowless building: eyes red, mucus flowing uncontrollably from their mouths and noses. Some looked near death. A spec of humanity prevailed as they were allowed to recover for several minutes before being taken to the bleachers.
The prisoners were taken to the bleachers. I think there were about one hundred of them. They were not restrained, no that would blow this horrible trick. The bleachers were located in a bug infested marsh. Those prisoners who moved their hands in any effort to ward of the flying bugs were severely punished. Mockingly, the guards in the native language of the prisoners said that their bugs had to eat too. The guard threw a dud hand grenade into the helpless group. He laughed as they scattered in terror. The prisoners were regathered and prepared for more.
I saw one prisoner taken out of out of line in just his shorts which were on backwards. Horrible sexual innuendos and insults were directed at him. I saw a tear roll down his cheek.
The prisoners were United States Marine recruits the torture described above was part of our training. The guards were drill instructors. The above is why we shake our heads in disbelief when water-boarding, bugs, and loud music are described as torture by the main stream press.
The above prepared us for combat so that fair-weather pacifists can stand on our street corners only in the best of weather. God forbid, they should be out in the cold or even worse the rain as that would resemble water-boarding.
Ed
USMC.
Vietnam 1967-1968
yep, that’s true, too. Seen it myself. I never earned wings, so I never went through it but the wings get pinned into your chest.
Torture is when a group of the enemy, takes a prisoner in front of a crowd, or cameras and slowly cuts their head off with a dull knife while they scream in pain, fear and agony.
Water boarding or interrogation is a mere inconvenience since the intent of killing the prisoner or a remote possibility of that happening, does not exist.
You have no clue what war or combat is, and should leave that definition up to those who have.
Believe me, what happened at Gitmo was NOT torture in any way shape or form. If you still think so, then any time you are inconvenienced in any way, you are tortured.
“”GOD BLESS THE UNITED STATES MARINE CORE(sic)!
That’s Corps, gomer.””
Gawlee Gee..thankya Sargeant Cawta.
Semper Fi!
You are too generous, I think many respond after only reading the headline, and I think about 90% of FReepers have been guilty of that at one time or another. However, most do read the article first, but there are always some who don't!
Makes for some interesting "discussions" sometimes!
Excellent letter. Hope many more people read it.
When he spoke about the gas chamber, it reminded me of when I had to go through that! It was kinda funny when you saw the others coming out, gasping, choking, drooling and what-not ... then it was my turn! Horrible stuff!
Yes, the horror! Of being “tortured by our own Military!
I also, was forever changed the moment I stepped out of that gas chamber of torture. I went from being a mere boy, to becoming a MAN!
OH, where was the humanity of it all!
Been there and done that——————Semper Fi
I often think of those moments in Paris Island when I thought I would never become a Marine (and my buddies also)but , know what, we made it and am proud of it.
She’s good! Some Republican men need to take lessons on how to deal with these moonbats from her!
And Nora was so obviously blind/deaf/dumb to the facts as she exposed her media fifth coulmn agenda! Sadly, too many Americans could be shown that and have not a clue what the heck was happening since it runs for longer than thirty seconds. And those are O bow ma voters!
Sooner or later Snopes will declare the letter "False". ;-)
yeah, it won’t be harsh enough
Thank you for your service...
for being one of “The Few, the Proud.”
“Sooner or later Snopes will declare the letter “False”.”
I just read this today...found it interesting...
“Yes, Snopes.com is a husband wife team i believe, and they are both “LIBERALS” with an agenda.They are HUGE Obama supporters.”
http://pub29.bravenet.com/forum/static/show.php?usernum=2442810129&frmid=8&msgid=1012009&cmd=show
Thanks for posting. I wonder if the likes of Obama and his attorneys will put a stop to this type training, thinking about it it wouldn’t surprise me.
Fifty years ago the Army in Escape and Evasion training did similar things. Captured soldiers were stripped to their shorts and put in wooden boxes, it was nighttime and cold. The boxes were only big enough to kneel in and the plywood box was beat on with 2X4’s for an hour or two and water was poured on the soldier through a hole in the top.
After all that were captured went through this two were selected for an interrogation in front of the Company though the two didn’t know everyone was looking on and couldn’t see them because of the lighting. I don’t remember what all took place but they were hooked up to the magneto of a field telephone and shocked trying to get them to divulge their unit and other info.
The training made an impression because I still remember most of it while a lot of other training I don’t remember at all. I believe we were all better for that training.
HOwever, Marines and Navy (and SEALS) attend S.E.R.E.training together!>)
Ah, the yellow footprints. Started the worst night of my life. Followed by 3 months of “torture” that hardened me, sharpened me, and prepared me for the worst life could dish out.
Semper Fi.
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