The FReeper Foxhole Profiles Fleet Admiral William (Bull) Halsey, Jr. USN - Apr. 19th, 2003

http://www.history.navy.mil/faqs/faq36-5.htm ^

[SAMWolf]

Great analysis Light Speed. Halsey wasn't really a Carrier Admiral and he helped by the time the US needed early in the war. Considering what the US had available in 42 and 43, he and the others did a great job of contesting and blunting Japanese expansion.

[SAMWolf]

Our Military Today
We Remember

Friends and family of Marine Lance Cpl. Andrew Aviles toss flowers into Tampa Bay from the middle of the Friendship Trail pedestrian bridge during a memorial tribute Saturday morning, April 19, 2003 in Tampa, Fla. Aviles, a 2002 graduate of Tampa's Robinson High School, was killed April 7 in Iraq. (AP Photo/Steve Nesius)


Family members react as the body of Marine Lance Cpl. Andrew Julian Aviles arrives at Tampa International Airport Tuesday, April 15, 2003, in Tampa, Fla. Standing, from left, are: Kelly Ramos, aunt, John Aviles uncle, Oscar Aviles, father, and Pamela Aviles, aunt. Aviles, 18, of Tampa, was killed April 7 in Iraq when an enemy artillery round struck his vehicle (AP Photo/Fraser Hale, Pool


The hearse carrying the remains of Marine Sgt. Duane Rios passes under an American flag Saturday, April 19, 2003 in Griffith, Ind. Rios, 25, was killed April 5 in a battle on the outskirts of Baghdad. (AP Photo/Michael Gard)


Erica Rois (C), widow of Marine Sgt. Duane Rios, closes her eyes while holding a U.S. flag after a memorial service for her husband outside St. Mary's Church in Griffith, Indiana, April 19, 2003. Rios was killed in battle outside Baghdad on April 4, 2003. REUTERS/Frank Polich


A Marine fights back tears as he sits with his wife during a memorial service for Marine Sgt. Edward Smith, held by the Anaheim Police Department, in California, April 17, 2003. Sgt. Smith, who worked as a reserve officer in Anaheim, was killed last April 5 during the war in Iraq. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson


Eric Collins, 15, a member of the JROTC program at Bailey Magnet High School in Jackson, Miss., holds a blown up photograph of alumnus, Army Spc. Larry K. Brown, who was killed April 5 while fighting in Iraq, during a memorial ceremony Thursday, April 17, 2003, in Jackson. Brown, 22, was a member of C Company, 1st Battalion, 41st Infantry Regiment from Fort Riley, Kan. Hundreds of students stood on the school's expansive front lawn and listened to tributes the fallen soldier. (AP Photo/Rogelio Solis)


Members of the Alabama National Guard salute their brethren at war in Iraq during a memorial service on the steps of the Alabama Capitol in Montgomery, Ala., Wednesday, April 16, 2003. The service was held to honor those military members serving overseas in protection of America's anti-terrorist policys. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)


Spc. Jesse Blancarte of Frostproof, Forida, from Task Force 2-69 Armor, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division from Fort Benning Georgia, fights back tears at a memorial service held April 16, 2003, in Baghdad for PV2 Gregory R. Huxley Jr., 19, of Forest Port, New York. Huxley was killed in action on April 6 when the armored personnel carrier he was riding in was hit by a rocket propelled grenade. Huxley had just finished basic training five months earlier. He is a member of 317 Engineer Battalion, 2nd Platoon Bravo Company.


Astrid Luna places a Rosary on a photo of U.S. Marine Cpl. Armando Ariel Gonzalez, 25, of Hialeah, Fla., during a memorial service Wednesday, April 16, 2003 in Hialeah, Fla. Gonzalez was killed Monday when a commercial refueling truck collapsed as he worked beneath it in southern Iraq. (AP Photo/Alan Diaz)


Staff Sergeant Lonnie Roberts cries at a memorial service April 16, 2003, in Baghdad for Private Gregory R. Huxley Jr., 19, of Forest Port, New York who was killed in action April 6 when the armored personnel carrier he was riding in was hit by a rocket propelled grenade. Huxley had just finished basic training five months earlier. Roberts was the squad leader and was riding in the carrier at the time of the incident,and is a member of 317 Engineer Battalion, 2nd Platoon Bravo Company. REUTERS/Dallas Morning News/David Leeson)

[snippy_about_it]

These pictures are heartbreaking and very moving Sam.

We need to see them. We won't forget.

Thanks.

[SAMWolf]

Thanks Snippy. They remind us of the price for our Freedom.

[JustAmy]

Happy Easter to All.

[SAMWolf]

Happy Easter Just Amy

[Victoria Delsoul]

Happy Easter to you too, Amy.

[aomagrat]

Today's classic warship, USS Lexington

USS Lexington, a 448-ton side-wheel steamer, was built in 1860 at Belle Vernon, Pennsylvania, for commercial use. She was acquired for the Army's Western Gunboat Flotilla in June 1861 and converted to a "timberclad" river gunboat, with officers to be provided by the Navy. Assigned to duty on the Mississippi River and its tributaries, Lexington took part in several actions with Confederate vessels and land forces during the last four months of 1861 and early 1862. In February 1862, she took part in the capture of Fort Henry and in other operations on the Tennessee River. During the next few months, she continued her activities in that area, participating in the great Battle of Shiloh in early April.

In June 1862, Lexington went up the White River and helped to bombard enemy positions at Saint Charles, Arkansas. She operated on the Mississippi during much of the rest of 1862 and was formally transferred to the Navy in October. November and December found her on the Yazoo, clearing "torpedoes" and bombarding the Confederates. Lexington was active in Arkansas and Tennessee in 1863, participating in the Capture of Fort Hindman, Arkansas, in January, the defense of Fort Donelson, Tennessee, in February, and the burning of Palmyra, Tennessee, in March. In March-May 1864, she took part in expeditions up the Black, Ouachita, and Red rivers in Louisiana, and helped defeat an attack on White River Station, Arkansas, in June. Following the end of the Civil War, USS Lexington was decommissioned in July 1865 and sold the following month.

[SAMWolf]

Thanks for the Classic Ship. She was a strange looking one.

[KeyWest]

I agree which is why I said combined arms. BTW, my Dad was there on the Astoria. We lost that one. He survived.

[KeyWest]

Agree with you. His problem was that Guadacanal will always be tied to the Marines, even though the Navy made it happen. It is difficult to tie him to a specific major Pacific battle, except he will always be remembered for leaving the surface force at Leyte.

My Dad was the Gunnery Officer on the Astoria which was sunk at Savo.

I think Halsey was the anchor man in his class at Annapolis- which means he had the lowest GPA. Not bad to end up with five stars.

[SpookBrat]

You said what I was going to say, snippy. SAM, your choice of pictures is always incredible. I'm deeply moved. I never want to forget.

[SpookBrat]

Is that Jesus in the garden? I love what He did for me. I know it wasn't easy for Him to go through that.

[SpookBrat]

Thanks Amy. I'm waiting on the chicken to be done, then we eat, then we color eggs.

[SAMWolf]

Thanks Spooky. I know that ther's not a lot we can do, but we can alt least remember them and what they did.

[Victoria Delsoul]

Is that Jesus in the garden?

I think that's the idea. Hope you're having a wonderful Easter weekend, Spooky.

[SAMWolf]

I took the liberty of copying your post here on the Foxhole thread and at a place that "Poets For The War" will see it.

Thanks for posting this at the Poetry Branch I made sure the regulars got to see it, but I'd also like the regulars who visit here to see what one our Marines think.

---

I'm not really one to judge, or even read, poetry. But I got this from an internet friend who's husband is serving in Iraq. He relayed this to her, and we're trying to get it out.

The message as I received it:



They are hearing about the anti-war protests and he was upset. That' s all the letter talked about. He enclosed a poem he and his buddies wrote.

He wants to get it out, let people see how they feel.

"Wish You Were Here"

For all the free people that still protest.
You're welcome.
We protect you and you are protected by the best.

Your voice is strong and loud.
But who will fight for you?
No one standing in your crowd.

We are your fathers, brothers, and sons,
wearing the boots and carrying guns.

We are the ones that leave all we own,
to make sure your future is carved
in stone.

We are the ones who fight and die,
We might not be able to save the
world, Well, at least we try.

We walked the paths to where we are at
and we want no choice other than that.

so when you rally your group to complain,
take a look in the back of your brain.

In order for that flag you love to fly
wars must be fought and young men
must die.

We came here to fight for the ones
we hold dear.
If that's not respected, we would
rather stay here.

So please stop yelling, put down
your signs,
and pray for those behind enemy
lines.

When the conflict is over and all
is well,
be thankful that we chose to go
through hell.

Corporal Joshua Miles and all the
boys from 3rd Battalion 2nd Marines, Kuwait

134 posted on 04/19/2003 9:02 AM PDT by clifdweller

[Victoria Delsoul]

That's great, Sam. Thank you.

Bumpity, bumpity, bump, bump, bump!

[PhilDragoo]

Ralph Waldo Emerson. 1803–1882

Concord Hymn

Sung at the Completion of the Battle Monument, April 19, 1836

BY the rude bridge that arched the flood,
Their flag to April's breeze unfurled,
Here once the embattled farmers stood,
And fired the shot heard round the world.

The foe long since in silence slept;
Alike the conqueror silent sleeps;
And Time the ruined bridge has swept
Down the dark stream which seaward creeps.

On this green bank, by this soft stream,
We set to-day a votive stone;
That memory may their deed redeem,
When, like our sires, our sons are gone.

Spirit, that made those heroes dare
To die, and leave their children free,
Bid Time and Nature gently spare
The shaft we raise to them and thee.

[PhilDragoo]

"By the time we're through with 'em, the Japanese language will be spoken only in hell."