Posted on 05/17/2003 12:27:40 PM PDT by farmfriend
See what you'll miss if you sit at home watching TV:
mms://www.patriotwatch.com/media/virgil-mpg.wmv
Help keep Memorial Weekend and Memorial Day Alive! In many cities around America, politicians and bureaucrats have forced it to become a distant memory.
Whaddya think?
Clebe McClary and his men were caught in enemy fire on Hill 146, deep in hostile territory . . . .
In the initial attack, he lost his left arm, yet continued to fight, worrying more about the safety of his men than his own injuries. McClary saw a grenade hurling towards him in time to throw up his right hand to protect his face. His left eye was torn out, both eardrums burst and his right hand was mutilated. Another grenade shredded his legs and knocked him to the ground. Death hovered over his broken body.
His remaining men held on and forced the enemy troops to pull back. With only moments to spare before the enemy's final deadly assault, a chopper arrived and carried Clebe and the other to safety.
Patrick Cleburne, "Clebe," McClary, III was raised on a plantation in south Carolina. He grew up hunting , fishing and excelling in sports. Shortly before he married, Clebe had enlisted in the Marine corps. Only months after the wedding, he had to leave his lovely bride to serve his country in war-torn Vietnam. Just after midnight on March 3, 1968, Lt. Clebe McClary's life changed forever.
Clebe's fight with the pain and disabilities that followed is truly amazing. He spent two and a half years in the hospital, under-going 34 major surgeries and enduring countless grueling hours of physical therapy.
Since that time, Clebe McClary has used his story of courage, faith and determination to touch the lives of people all over the world. Told he would never walk again, he has run marathons and set treadmill tests that members of the Dallas Cowboys have been unable to beat!
Clebe McClary believes that:
what ever the obstacles, any thing can be accomplished with faith, courage and perseverance. He is truly an American hero!
Then this is just a LITTLE write up on the man. I could highly recommend him for any inspirational speaking. He is funny, but really gets the message home. For more on him.. go here:
The Church we attended had a replica of the VietNam Wall. They had vets go up and find names (that part was planned) what wasn't planned, is how emotional the Vietnam vets finding the names would get (to include those of us in the crowd). They paid tribute to all of us.. then to the active duty. Then they did the most amazing thing. They did the reflection thing, where the guy crying at the wall.. saw it light up inside with our troops reaching out to him.. they were surrounded by jungle. To be honest.. it was very emotional... I even felt sick. I saw many of our fellow vets crying like we were. It was a hard day.. but we live.. and they gave their all. Even the biggest, bravest and strongest cried on this day.
They had a huge flag.. and it slowly drew up.. and two active duty marines re-enacted the US Flag being put on Saddams face. It was so awesome. But more so.. was a re-enactment of the MASH UNIT with the same company name on the props as that which Art flew Medivac for. They did a re-enactment that was extremely real appearing. With bombs going off.. bodies burned badly..and even the rotor wash from a helicopter hitting the back of your head. They had troops.. who looked and acted just like our troops in Nam, walking in the forest. Then the gun fight.. and serious injury ensued.
They had the Tomb of the Unnamed Soldier and he spoke to us. Then soldiers from every war walked up to stand along side him.
When President Bush was on the screen.. the crowd gave an standing ovation.
It was like NOTHING I've ever seen. I've never seen over a 100 people in Uniform at a Church event. Lots of static displays.. one of the Navy Seals said this was what they needed to see. They were blown away... :o)
BTW, Art has his dog-tags.. I lost mine. Well, the church gave us a flag with a miniature dog tag..and welcomed us home. I told Art.. I have my dog tags back.
Have a safe memorial day friends.... remember every single one of our fallen hero's, and those who came home to suffer mentally. Lt. McClarty mentioned all the suicides by Vietnam Vets. Thats why we must fight to make sure our troops NEVER come home to the reception the Vietnam troops came home to. We will never forget.. we will never quit grieving. Not for the loss of ONE SINGLE TROOP. Not from ANY war. That is what seperates us from the barbarians. We value life and treasure it. God rest their souls, and the broken bodies, hearts and minds who came home.
God Bless all of you!
The Whittens
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