This is written by a Navy Commander at a port in Kuwait .. No commentary needed, the 3-minute read below says more than a 20-page article could
about our warriors and the constitution of our men.
Where do we get such men?
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"They are so damn young"
I was going to the gym tonight ( really just a huge tent with weights and treadmills), and we had heard that one of the MEUs (Marine Exp Units) that had come out of service in the "triangle" was redeploying (leaving
country). We saw their convoy roll in to the Kuwait Naval Base as the desert sun was setting.
I have never seen anything like this. Trucks and humvees that looked like they had just come through a shredder. Their equipment was full of shrapnel blast holes, and missing entire major pieces that you could tell had been blasted by IEDs. These kids looked bad too! I mean, sunken eyes, thin as rails, and that 1000-yd. stare they talk about after direct combat.
Made me pretty damn embarrassed to be a "rear area warrior".
All people could do was stop in their tracks and stare... and feel like me...like I wanted to bow my head in reverence. A Marine Captain stationed with me, was standing next to me, also headed to the gym. He said,
"Part of 1st Brigade Combat Team, 8th Marines, sir. Took the heaviest losses of any single unit up north as part of Task Force Danger, sir."
As the convoy rolled up, all of us watching just slowly crept toward these kids as they dismounted the Hummers and 5-tons. Of course, we were all shiny and clean compared to these warriors. This kids looked like they had just crawled from Iraq. I had my security badge and id around my neck, and started to help them unload some of their duffle bags.
A crusty Gunny came up to me and said "sir, you don't have to do that..." I said, "Gunny... yes I do..." They all looked like they were in high school, or younger!! All held themselves sharply and confident, despite the extreme fatigue you could tell they had endured. "You guys out of the triangle?" I asked. "Yes, sir". 14 months, and twice into the grinder, sir" (both fights for Fallujah).
All I could do was throw my arm around their shoulders and say "thanks Marine, for taking the fight to the bad guys...we love you man".
I looked at these young kids, not one of them complaining or showing signs of anything but focus, and good humor. 'Sir, they got ice cream at the DFAC, sir?" "I haven't had real ice cream since we got here..." They continued to unload... and after I had done my handshakes and shoulder hugs, the Captain and I looked at each other ....They want ice cream, we'll get them ice cream. You see, a squid O-5 and a focused Marine O-3 can get just about anything, even if the mess is closed.
Needless to say, we raided the closed DFAC (mess tent), much to the chagrin of one very pissed off Mess Sergeant and grabbed boxes of ice cream sandwiches (as many as we could carry), and hustled back to the convoy. I felt like Santa Claus. "Thank you, sir.." again and again from each trooper, as we tossed up the bars to the guys in the trucks. I'm thinkin', "Son, what
the hell are you thanking me for? I can't thank you enough."
And they are so damned young ... I will sleep well, knowing they are watching my back tonight."
They are our Fathers, Mothers, Brothers and Neighbors. They are the ones who breathe sand and sweat blood while we sleep. They are the ones who put our nation before all else. They are the ones who would lay down their life should that moment arise. They are the ones we should all look up to, the ones we should want our sons to become and our daughters to marry. They are the heart of this country and the soul of this nation. They are the ones that have ALL of our backs ensuring that we can hoist that flag one more day.
I just want to say thank you to all of the troops serving our country. Especially to my two cousins serving in the marines and special forces. Have a safe journey and come home soon, we miss you.
__________________ Last edited by CalHunter; 08-10-2009 at 01:21 PM. Reason: Inappropriate--called a mbr "douchebag"
Damn ,
now I feel guilty for having served in the Navy !
I can't even begin to imagine what those men and women have had to endure , and I never will know . I served during peacetime . To those of you reading this who do know , my undying thanks for your service , and for your dedication to something that others only give lip service to . Let me just borrow from the Marines and say SEMPER FI !!! . There aren't any expressions that cover it better that I know of .
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Kevin Haendiges
NAHC Life Member
NRA Member
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http://hunting-indiana.com
Damn ,
now I feel guilty for having served in the Navy !
Looks like at least one Navy Commander is still a good leader. I wouldn't be too disappointed in your service. Wow, this is coming from a former Marine. Semper Fi bro!!
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Jesus Christ--The reason for the season!
If you can read this, thank a teacher. If you can read this in English, thank a veteran.
If you're certain you know everything, there's little opportunity to learn anything.
Here is the liberal media's thoughts on the American military.....
Quote:
"You can be sure our soldiers in Iraq are not all brave heroes gladly risking their lives for us sitting comfortably back here at home." --CBS's Andy Rooney, from his commentary "Our Soldiers in Iraq Aren't Heroes."
GOD BLESS the American Soldier!
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May 30, 3:11 am my little girl was born.
Rooney's a jerk, scanr. Anyone that wants to take exception to our purpose over there has that right. Anyone that wants to blatantly throw stones at those serving that mission should have his teeth removed from his face with all dispatch.
I agree...Andy Rooney has gone off the deep end. We don't have to agree with our governments decisions but.............we should all support the men and women in the trenches.
Where do we get such men?
