Posted on 11/03/2004 12:28:44 PM PST by SaltyJoe
I'm 34 years old, and I'm a Marine brat who served in the Corps too. My dad was in Vietnam and I think we need to give this "Welcome Home" to our military dad and moms.
My dad is such a boy scout of integrity and Honor. He served 24 years in the US Marine Corps and is happily retired. He's the type of Irish-American patriot who was so willing to drop out of college and volunteer as an enlisted grunt. Instead, the USMC recruiter told him to finish college and become an officer.
He served in a less "glorious" capacity but one that supported Marines none the less. He continued with the Marines even after Vietnam and through our American military's darker days of race riots and rampant substance abuse. Long after the Soviet Union had given up the Cold War, he retired having served his full capacity to our nation. And in keeping with his high moral and ethical standards, upon his retirement ceremony, he told his CO (commanding officer) that he'd walk out of his own retirement if Clinton's presidential congradulatory letter were read in public.
What I mention for Vietnam Vets is not to be smug in having Bush win a big Presidency again. But I want us to celibrate our victorious American political process and bring closure upon such an undeserving wicked wound that has been used against us. It was a wound taken advantage by our enemies, foreign and domestic. This should never happen to our nation and our honorable vets ever again.
What I want is for us to openly celebrate the 4th Commandment that we've neglected too long. I see the greatness of Vietnam Veterans as no less their World War 2 and Korean Vet fathers and mothers. The generation gap must be closed and this opportinuty will mend this difference.
If you agree as I do, then let's bring this to a reality.
God Bless you all. Joe
Yes, I understand that, but evidently you do not understand the legal nature of 527 organizations and the requirement that they be independent of the candidate that they are supporting.
Having them at the inauguration projects the appearance of criminal impropriety, even if none exists.
There are legal issues here that could mire Bush in a Watergate kind of scandal, which would derail the victory we have ALL worked so hard to achieve, especially the Swift Boat Veterans.
Try to think like a lawyer who hates Republicans for a minute and maybe you will see things differently.
Excellent idea, it's time to let the Vietnam vets lead all the veterans in the Inaugural Parade. The Vietnam vets, of course, would be led by the swiftvets. God bless them all.
Why thank you, Joe.
I don't know about marching in the Inaugeral Parade, 'tho'. January is cold, and my old joints aren't what they were 36 years ago. Now if someone wants to build a float in the shape of a Tango Boat, save me a place in it.
;-)
VietVet
Good idea. Maybe some of the talk shows could also work on this idea.
Thanks, Joe, and Semper fi!
Thanks, Joe, and Semper fi!
Garattler,
You have my heartfelt thanks for protecting my country. I hope its not too late to say, but I was barely out of diapers when the war ended.
Those of us who didn't live through that time as adults really didn't realize when we were growing up how awfully you guys were treated. Now that we're older and especially during this election when a lot of old wounds were reopened, many of us have come to regret our lack of understanding, and also to regret the actions of our countrymen in those years.
I deeply appreciate your service and sacrifice, and any children I have will be raised to do so as well. "We owe you a debt we can never repay" is a well-worn phrase, but its true for you, and for all veterans, most especially the ones who didn't make it back at all.
It's a good thought, SaltyJoe, but it's probably too late for a large, public parade.
I'll be quietly celebrating when we have our annual Marine Corps Birthday Ball next Wednesday at the local Legion hall.
Semper Fi
Check out http://www.operationhomecomingusa.com
I think you will be pleased.
I couldn't agree more. It's time to honor our Viet Nam vets
DITTO!!!!!!! They stepped up to the plate not once but TWICE when most needed. These are *true grit* AMERICANS!!
They are courageous maximus.
This one is for the 58,226 that didn't make it home.
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