These are the words of a retired Marine Master Gunnery Sergeant. Ed Evans is a close friend of a comrade that sent this to meand a veteran Marine of the Vietnam War. He is a great guy with a level headed and clear view of the world.
I Will NOT Forget!
I sat in a movie theater watching "Schindler's List" asked myself, "Why didn't the Jews fight back?"
Now I know why.
I sat in a movie theater watching "Pearl Harbor" and asked myself, "Why weren't we prepared?"
Now I know why.
Civilized people cannot fathom, much less predict, the actions of evil people.
On September 11, dozens of capable airplane passengers allowed themselves to be overpowered by a handful of poorly armed terrorists because they did not comprehend the depth of hatred that motivated their captors.
On September 11, thousands of innocent people were murdered because too many Americans naively reject the reality that some nations are dedicated to the dominance of others. Many political pundits, pacifists and media personnel want us to forget the carnage. They say we must focus on the bravery of the rescuers and ignore the cowardice of the killers. They implore us to understand the motivation of the perpetrators. Major television stations have announced they will assist the healing process by not replaying devastating footage of the planes crashing into the Twin Towers.
I will not be manipulated.
I will not pretend to understand.
I will not forget.
I will not forget the liberal media who abused freedom of the press to kick our country when it was vulnerable and hurting.
I will not forget that CBS anchor Dan Rather preceded President Bush's address to the nation with the snide remark, "No matter how you feel about him, he is still our president."
I will not forget that ABC TV anchor Peter Jennings questioned President Bush's motives for not returning immediately to Washington, DC and commented, "We're all pretty skeptical and cynical about Washington."
And I will not forget that ABC's Mark Halperin warned if reporters weren't informed of every little detail of this war, they aren't "likely - nor should they be expected-to show deference."
I will not isolate myself from my fellow Americans by pretending an attack on the USS Cole in Yemen was not an attack on the United States of America.
I will not be appeased with pointless, quick retaliatory strikes like those perfected by the previous administration.
I will not be comforted by "feel-good, do nothing" regulations like the silly "Have your bags been under your control?" question at the airport.
I will not be influenced by so called,"antiwar demonstrators" who exploit the right of expression to chant anti-American obscenities.
I will not forget the moral victory handed the North Vietnamese by American war protesters who reviled and spat upon the returning soldiers, airmen, sailors and Marines.
I will not be softened by the wishful thinking of pacifists who chose reassurance over reality.
I will embrace the wise words of Prime Minister Tony Blair who told Labor Party conference, "They have no moral inhibition on the slaughter of the innocent. If they could have murdered not 7,000 but 70,000, does anyone doubt they would have done so and rejoiced in it?
There is no compromise possible with such people, no meeting of minds, no point of understanding with such terror. Just a choice: defeat it or be defeated by it. And defeat it we must!"
I will force myself to:
-hear the weeping
-feel the helplessness
-imagine the terror
-sense the panic
-smell the burning flesh
-experience the loss
-remember the hatred.
I sat in a movie theater, watching "Saving Private Ryan" and asked myself, "Where did they find the courage?"
Now I know.
We have no choice. Living without liberty is not living.
Master Gunnery Sergeant Ed Evans USMC (Ret.)
Not as lean, Not as mean, But still a Marine. Semper Fi
I wanted them to appreciate the sacrifices some make at great risk to themselves.
Although not Jewish, I was a child when the concentration camps were found, and the stories told.
I and mine will NEVER FORGET what happened, and do everything in our power to prevent such things happening again.
I could have said that, g'nad!
Great post!
One thing I'd like to add to the Gunny's words:
We ain't mean enough!
I'm getting a little tired of the liberal's claim that to do to them what they do to us makes us no better than them.
That's crap!
Did the Jews kneel at the trench waiting for the bullet because they felt to do otherwise would make them no better than the Germans?
I propose they did so because they couldn't believe the inhumanity of fellow humans.
I propose that the passengers on that plane were in the same state of shock.
We've got to get MEAN if we want to survive as a nation!
We're the target of every biting, snapping dog in the world.
We have got to shed our pussy cat demeanor and assume the stance and disposition of the meanest pit bull in the pen if we want to survive.
I got up, went into the back room, and loaded a snub nose .38. It stayed in my pocket the next few days because I had no idea what would happen next. I wanted to be prepared to protect and defend Mother if needed.
The rest of that day (and the next few) I was glued to the TV and FR. On 9-13, I sent a letter to President Bush. I also posted that letter on the web as an Open Letter to the President. This morning I went back and read that letter again. Every word I wrote then I still belive today. I am posting a copy below so as we enter the Forth of July Holiday we can renew our dedication to our Country, our Freedom, and our Future.
Magoo
open letter to President Bush
Sent on 13 Sep 2001
Mr. President,
I, along with most Americans, watched the attacks of 9/11 in horror. It has taken me a few days to compose my thoughts on this crisis facing us. As you deal with this Crisis, please consider my thoughts and suggestions as an average American who will stand with you throughout this trial by fire.
As you stated in your message to Americans, we are in fact in a state of war. As much as I wish it were not so, I must accept this as fact. I implore you to address a joint session of Congress and request a Formal Declaration of War against all terrorist organizations. I do not think that I need to remind you that On February 23, 1998, The World Islamic Front for Jihad—a non-governmental umbrella group of Islamic fanatics—issued a formal declaration of war on the United States. By Congress making a Formal Declaration of War, we would be on record in the World’s view as accepting that a state of war has existed between the United States and these fanatics, and we will respond as we see fit to insure our survival as a Nation. To declare a state of war with an autonomous group is not without precedent, the 4th Congress did in fact declare war against the Barbary Pirates.
In light of this being a war situation, I ask that you include the following actions in the overall plan to win this war.
- Seek out and destroy with great prejudice all those who participated in the attacks on September 11, 2001. Any military action undertaken must be swift, decisive, and extreme in context. It must send a clear signal that any terror attack against the United States is a very bad idea.
- For those who are arrested on United States’ soil, tried and convicted in our Courts, bring back public hanging. I realize this seems barbaric, but it is no less barbaric than the acts of horror they participated in. Once again, it sends a very clear message to anyone who contemplates terrorist activities on American soil.
- Treat any Nation who harbors, aids, or funds a terrorist organization as an active participant and a just target for Military action.
- Any population group, even if civilian, who celebrates an attack on The United States should also be considered to be terrorist and a just target for Military action. I am directly referring to the street celebrations that were filmed in the West Bank cities of Ramallah and Nablus.
- Aircraft security needs to be addressed. Ultimately the security of an aircraft falls on the shoulders of the flight crew. Every aircraft flight crew should be armed with small caliber arms loaded with frangible ammunition that will not compromise aircraft integrity if fired. These individuals are entrusted with the safety of the passengers. Give them the ability to fulfill that task. This is also more cost affective than the Sky Marshall program. It would also expand the program to cover every commercial aircraft.
- Schools are also at risk of terrorist attack. Our teachers, like aircrews, are entrusted with the safety of the students in their charge. Teachers are the last line of defense of the students. Give them the ability to carry concealed arms. Not all have to be armed to be effective. Just the thought that the teacher might be armed will keep attacks to schools at a minimum.
- In order to prevent terrorist acts in the general public, we need to have a National Concealed Carry Act. The Law Enforcement Officers in place now cannot possibly be everywhere. The general public must be able to stop a terrorist threat as it happens. According to USC Title 10 Section 311 Chapter 13, we have an obligation to assist in the common defense. This includes stopping terrorist activities and also violent criminal activities. Without a National Concealed Carry Act, we are stripped of the ability to fulfill our obligations as spelled out in the U.S. Code.
- Secure our Borders. There is no excuse for the thousands of illegal Foreign Nationals who cross our Borders each and every month. We have in place procedures for legal immigration from other Nations. How many of the terrorists could have been stopped at our Borders before they murdered thousands? As a native born citizen, I am offended that granting citizenship to those who broke our laws by illegal entry is even considered.
The horror of September 11, 2001 has united this Nation. Our anger and sense of purpose will not be deterred. Some of the points above might seem on the surface to be extreme or barbaric. I don’t think so. They are designed to not only fulfill our need for Justice to be served, but also to send a clear message that to attack The United States will bring swift and sure destruction back to the source. Mr. President, we elected you to lead this Nation. As President and Commander in Chief, you have the responsibility to insure domestic security. I fully expect you to implement the above or similar actions to insure our continued existence as the Greatest Nation on Earth.
With respect,
(signed)