[sauropod]

This guy absolutely nails it.

I donno if Speak Out will be at Ft. Bragg or not, but i thought this article will be relevant to 20 March. 'Pod

[cynicom]

Excellent letter.

However,there are two glaring omissions.

Firstly,for one so "educated", why did it take the actions of a son to enlighten a Father.

Secondly, the author overlooks plain everyday cowardice. Nowhere does he factor in that human trait.

[rdb3]

[kid_in_kc]

ping

[Joee]

Just for the record, I was a CO of a Company in the 7th Marines, under Harry Ass Truman, President. Speaking of being short on gear, I had only 14 complete rifle sights in the whole Infantry Company. Only half the troops had armored vests. We frequently rotated chow lines so everyone would get a full tray at least once a day. The sleeping bags were of summer issue, which required as many blankets on top as one could midnight survey.

I also recall major equipment shortages in Vietnam, under LBJ. I suspect there will shortages of gear the next war also, and the next, especially if we have Democrooks running the country.

[LADYAK]

My son just graduated in 2003. I remember when he was born thinking I never want my son to go to war. Of course that is a fear thing for our own flesh and blood to die. When he graduated he said I will register for the draft and I would defend our country. I was very proud of him for that statement. He then chose to go to Youth with a Mission in Australia where he has been for 6 months in God's army and he returns tomorrow. I have no doubt that if he was drafted that he would take with him an awesome testimony of God's love and the growth that he has experienced in YWAM. My son has taught me not to judge others by their appearance as when he returns he may have a nose piercing or lip piercing and a short mohawk but he has a wonderful heart, loves God, and loves his country. So when we see youth with this appearance it does not mean they would automatically be draft dodgers or flag burners.

Pray for his flight home today and direction for his life...oh and I pray for the other young men and women wherever they are stationed as if they were my own...I do like to pray that God would give them eyes to see the weapons that are formed against them.

[Maigrey]

Sorry about the double ping! PING

[Old Professer]

He is still talking down to us; he is reconciled, not reconstructed.

[mathluv]

There was a man and his son on Fox - Fox & Friends, I think, about a year ago. I wonder is this is the same man.

[Braak]

Great article Sauropod.

As a would be line doggie (was seperated from ROTC on a medical, to my regret, neurological reasons, grand mall siezures will do that). I agree, too many are too unwilling to "get into the war" and it's hard for those of us who want to get in. I know, as I finally finished my undergrad and I have been applying my arse off to find a job to do my part. So far, no dice. I lost my stepfather on 9/11 as many of you know, and I promised my mom if I couldn't be a shooter, I'd do my best to support them. I still want to, I'm young, relatively healthy, (I'd never pass the MEPS station with my siezure history) and I want to serve SOMEHOW! I love this nation, and I even voulenteered for the Bush campaign, being an out of work smoe like me.

I guess what hurts the most is people I know, people I went on those FTXs and STRAC lanes with are fighting and in some cases, dying out there. People I care about. I owe them, and my stepfather my service, I am just trying to find a way to give it.

[NRA2BFree]

This is a great article! May God Bless and protect our soldiers! Thanks for typing this out for us. :)

[FreeReign]

I read this article in the laundromat yesterday. I found it to be a powerful indictment on "Military Families Speak Out." It is not online at the American Legion Magazine Web site, so i typed it in.

This "Military Families Speak Out" thing is really starting to backfire and look for it to continue.

How could the DNC be so shortsighted on this? Or are they doing this on purpose?

[ALOHA RONNIE]

NEVER FORGET


...JOHN KERRY called us American Soldiers fighting against Terrorists during the Vietnam War...

...TERRORISTS.

http://www.TheAlamoFILM.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1320




...MEL GIBSON was inspired to do his "PASSION of the Christ" while filming the real story of we American Soldiers fighting against Terrorists during the Vietnam War in...

..."WE WERE SOLDIERS"

http://www.TheAlamoFILM.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=39081



I wonder who got it right..?




Signed:.."ALOHA RONNIE" Guyer / Vet-"WE WERE SOLDIERS" Battle of IA DRANG-1965

http://www.lzxray.com/guyer_collection.htm
(IA DRANG-1965 Photos)


NEVER FORGET

[baseballmom]

Wonderful article, 'pod.

Thanks so much for taking the time to type it up.

[2111USMC]

Thanks for your hard work 'Pod.

Proof that some of the people "get it".

Semper Fi!

[White Eagle]

My son graduates as Valedictorian of his high school this June. When he started making plans for after HS, the first thing he decided on was time in the military. We talked about West Point and Annapolis, but he decided he wanted to go to college and ROTC. He got an early acceptance into the program, then he selected a school.

His mother and I went with him to the Navy recruiting office at Fort Sheridan, and I actually made a little speech to him before I let him sign the paper. "You realize that with 4 years of college, 4 active and 4 reserve, you'll be 30 before you get the DD214. And the purpose of the military is to kill people and break things. That's what you're signing up for now, because the Navy may let you change your mind in the next few years, but I won't."

He agreed that he knew what he was getting into, and then he signed. A good friend of his from school is working on West Point, where his older brother graduated a few years ago. The older brother has been in Iraq since the deployment last year.

I haven't heard much from other parents in the senior class about all this, but what I have heard is positive. When our son leaves this summer for his first summer training and then off to college, it will be hard to not worry about him all the time, but I've found that you worry about your kids all the time, regardless of how old they are or what they are doing.

We don't live in a rich Volvo neighborhood like the author of this article, but there is still a sense that only a selected few will step up to defend this country. As long as we have leaders who use the military wisely, and as long as we decide that we want to be the greatest country in the world, we will have to watch our children take on the big jobs and hope for their safe return.

[arasina]

Wonderful article. Thanks for typing it in for us, sauropod.

Howlin: Got your ping list handy for a good read and an interesting thread?

[Valin]

"There has been a 'disconnect' between the men and women who defend our nation and those who are the beneficiaries of that service."

It's not just among the elite. Where I work there are 24 people...4 vets.

[VOA]

bump for publicity

[bjcintennessee]

Thanks for posting this great article (and for taking the time to type it -- you did a good job).

As a Navy mom, I am appalled at some of the comments made here. My son joined the Navy on 9-28-01, 9-11 having influenced his decision.

My husband and I just returned from a "Tiger Cruise" aboard his carrier (an awesome experience, BTW), and I have never been so proud of my son and our military. They believe in what they are doing; they believe the sacrifices they are making are necessary and are serving a good cause.

When Americans speak out against the war, they don't seem to realize how this affects the morale of our troops, or how it bolsters our enemies.

[stevie_d_64]

This is also something to keep in mind for any FReep in any city where this group and others are going to be whining about this very thing...

I'll just tuck this back into the memory bank and review it before the 20th...

Later,
Steve