thinkin' about different stuff

[wrbones]

.
To those who organize 'Peace Rally's'

There is a movement that is slowly but steadily growing among veterans. It is a grass roots movement. A few Marines here, a couple of soldiers there, several sailors somewhere else, two or three airmen at a bar.
It is a movement of frustration born of failed policies and horrible mistreatment by both our government and civilians during and after wars and conflicts past. It is a movement whose heart and soul cries out, with determination, "This shall not happen to another veteran again."
It is a formless movement at this time, and it is essentially leaderless. But it will grow. It cannot be otherwise. Many civilians do not know what sacrifices have been made for them. They cannot comprehend the pain, the horror, the unbelievable long hours and constant wear and tear on bodies, families, friendships, and even sacrificed careers that have been made by these people. These Veterans. They cannot begin to understand the isolation most feel after years of honourable and good service only to return to a nation and home wherein they are incomprehensibly spit upon, lied to, lied about, ignored, or threatened, abused and shouted down by those whom they gave so much to protect. They only want to go back to work, to live in peace and freedom once again as any other American citizen justly demands and expects.
In time, wherever there are peace protesters, there will be a Veteran offering another point of view. Our freedoms do not come cheap. The freedoms of others do not come cheap. Let there be peace. We, as veterans will gladly welcome it. Let there be no man or woman ready to defend freedom, there will be no freedom. Peace will thence disappear.
Any who will not support the men and women of our armed forces in their time of need neither deserve, nor apparently value, the freedom that has allowed them to abuse the Veterans who served, fought and died to ensure freedom and liberty for all of us. Protest. It is your right. Protest in front of 'city hall'. Protest in the town square. Do not bring a peace protest to a monument that was built to honour a Veteran. You have defiled the Veterans and the monument raised to honour them. This is a slap in the face to all Veterans. It is the equivalent of going to a graveyard to protest lethal injection. It is like going to a maternity ward to protest abortion. It is like going to Martin Luther King's grave site to protest equal rights. It is a senseless, vile and inappropriate use of freedom. It is irresponsible, reprehensible, and shows your ignorance of what has been given for you. It is, quite frankly, childishly irresponsible to do so.
Protest any war. You have the right to do so. But do not be surprised when you see a Veteran opposite you who watches and waits.
Be responsible in what you do. Your protests have a negative impact on the morale of many who serve. When they should be otherwise concerned with the life and death job at hand, they might be thinking of you...and wondering why you do not consider what they have done honourable or important. In the past so called peace protests have physically, mentally and emotionally harmed Veterans. If the people of the United States do not support the Marine, the Sailor, the Soldier, the Airman or even the Coastie, in the times that they need you most...in time, there may not be a man or a woman to protect you when it counts. The future of any army, at any time, has depended solely upon the treatment of it's veterans after a war or conflict. I'm sorry to say that our world is not perfect nor safe. Our nation's armed forces are a necessity of life.
Several enemies have declared war upon us from several places and at several times over the last twenty years. Many of them have called it 'Jihad'. This is an eternal feud to those who have declared it. They will not stop until we are dead as individuals and as a nation. Yet another enemy has ignored sanctions and given it's own people over to terror, starvation and death by it's own chemical weaponry in order to live off the 'fat of the land?. This government has attacked our men and women in uniform on an almost daily basis since 1991, ignoring peace protocols imposed by the UN and the rest of the world. Another enemy has killed several thousand men, women and children on our on lands, in our own nation. We are at war already. Other nations and organizations have declared war against us and openly attacked us. No other nation is able, even if willing, to defend us. We must defend ourselves.
Sadly, peace is no longer an option. This is the choice of those who have named us enemy. Peace protests in this environment are illogical and irrational, and in my own opinion, treasonous.
signed


.

[wrbones]

On another site, a few weeks ago we had a youngster drop by and in ignorance he dissed us. We attempted to correct him, but finally had to become harsh. The next day his mother came on the site raisin' hell about the way we'd treated her boy. The following is a copy of the email that I sent her.


There is much that your child might learn here that will help them make a decision concerning joining the Marine Corps or another branch of the service. There is information of all kinds, from basic Marine training to Veterans issues. We have a myriad of experience, training, education and backgrounds. There is great wisdom and knowledge to participate in. WWII Veterans to fellow wannabes who have some little experience dealing with Marines. There are Marine families and friends on the site. There are active duty Generals and Privates just out of boot camp on the site. There are professionals and labourers and Marines from all walks of life on this site. Preachers and sinners, we have much that would be valuable to those like you who might wish to know us.

I must warn you that the Marines that I have met are tough to the core of their being. They have to be. We are the most able and frightening military organization that has ever existed. Marines in particular are the best trained fighting men, in all aspects of warfare, that has ever existed. Each generation leaves a legacy that succeeding generations do everything possible to meet or exceed. We are fighting men. The women in the Marine Corps are trained this way as well, although none has officially been involved in combat. Fighting men and women. We have the spirit of the greatest warriors who have ever taken to a battlefield, yet we have the training, discipline and organization of professional soldiers that few armed forces have ever been capable of. We are trained to live, but will sacrifice life itself for our fellow Marines. We are trained to be tough. We have to be. It is our job, it is our tradition, it is our life. We fight like no other, on any level. We die for esoteric things such as love for or brothers. We sacrifice our Marine Corps career for the greater good of our Corps. We watch our buddies die for things we do not always understand or fully comprehend. We ruin our bodies and our minds in search of one thing. Being the best that ever walked the face of the earth. We do this for freedom. We do it for patriotism. We do it for the love that we share as brothers in arms. We watch those who cannot compete for our title fall by the wayside. Inadequate and defeated by what we do every day. Day in and day out.

We have a battle cry like no other. It sends chills down the spine of any person who hears it as it roars from the throat of one or a thousand Marines. It is a cry that means business, and all who know Marines know this. Those enemies who hear that Marines are coming tremble inwardly. The name itself is unmatched, anywhere, anytime, anyplace. We care not for anything but the mission and our brothers. We mean business. The lives of our brothers depends upon us and only us. We take our name, our traditions and our motto and sayings seriously. They have real meaning for us, not as history, but as life itself. There is nothing about the Marine Corps that is history. We are a living, breathing hell on earth to those who oppose us. We are a brotherhood, a family.

When we are disrespected in anyway, we are of course offensive in response. We are a force of offensive military might. It is our nature, ingrained in us from the first day we set foot on the yellow footprints in boot camp until the day we leave this earth to go to a better assignment. Common courtesy, respect and yes, even fear are our due. We've earned it. We've proven ourselves time and again as individuals and as a group of individuals who work toward a common goal. Protecting our way of life, the freedoms we all enjoy, the peace we all expect, the prosperity we all strive for. Thank a Marine for what you have. Treat him and her with respect at all times, and you will find a Marine there to help when it is needed.

Use our motto, our war cry, our phrases at your own risk. You have then showered disrespect upon us, however unknowingly. We will correct you. How can we not? For we correct each other often and sometimes harshly...even in our humour towards each other. We are harsh. It is a harsh profession that we are engaged in. Mistakes kill people. Discipline is more necessary than food to us. Without self-discipline, we are just another mob.

Let your children come and learn from us. We will teach them much even if they later decide to join another armed force of this United States. But while they are among us, we deserve to be treated with respect and common decency. It is our right as fellow human beings, as Americans and as United States Marines.. We will demand it.

We have sacrificed too much to act otherwise or to accept anything less.



Her reply:

"Thank you."

Neither one has yet returned to the site.

[wrbones]

Honor. Integrity, Respect.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
They are ideals. Perfection. Freedom. Peace. Knowledge. Wisdom. Understanding. Acceptance. Charity. Spirituality. Leadership. Committment. For some people, there will be no correct response to their question, " What is your definition of Honor?" Honor involves all of these ideals and more. There is one other, mis-used in our myths and stories, it is called chivalry. It is my opinion that Marines embody all of these. We're necessarily a rough lot, but when you touch the core of any Marine, you will find the essence of all of these things...these impossible ideals. They will fight often at the drop of a hat for that which they believe to be right and proper and correct. This is honor, however ocassionally misplaced or misdirected. They will offer you their lives, that you might say and do what you wish in a free society, and they will also hold you accountable for those same words and deeds. This is honor. They have earned much and asked little in return. This is honor. They will offer respect to those who are aged. This is honor. They will offer respect towards the offices of power, while yet ensuring that the holders of such offices are held accountable for their actions. This is honor. They will and have suffered much that others might enjoy freedom. This is honor. They are concerned for the well being of others above their own comforts. This is honor. Marines have fought against impossible odds, and endured every type of discomfort known to mankind...in order that others might be unafraid in their homes. This is honor.You may not see it in the faces of many Marines, for they are often not a noble looking bunch, but they are the Knights of our contemporary age. Yes, we have our fools and our delinquents, but they are held accountable. This, too, is honor. We accept reality, knowing it for friend or foe, and we move on...with honor, integrity and commitment to our goal. Serving our President, and the men, women and children of the United States of America, and the world. This is honor. If you are not a Marine, you cannot comprehend this. It is beyond you. We know and accept this innocent ignorance however we at times decry it. This is honor. We will protect the innocent, and we will educate the ignorant. This is honor. We will never leave our brothers behind, no matter the circumstance, in peace or in war. This is honor. Our fallen brothers will always be remembered. This is honor. Our words and deeds have become legendary, so much so that they are almost mythical in their impact upon the conciousness of our contemporaries. This is honor. Marines will be remembered with Pharaoh's Armies, the deeds of Alexander, the warriors of the Khan's. This is honor. We are feared and respected and loved. This is honor. No words or deeds of any man can take this away from us. This is our honor, and it will never be denied us.

[wrbones]

There will never be anything anyone can do to mitigate the loss of a loved one. All we can do is to be there. One thing to keep in mind, as high brow and prideful as it might seem, is that as a Marine, they'll never be forgotten. Individual names will fade with time, people will all leave us in time, and their memories will go with them when they move on to better things. We often say of fallen Marines, that they have gone on "To guard Heaven's Gates" or they've been "transferred to Sky Pilot Command" We know where Marines go when they leave us. We drink to their memory. We remember our Brothers and Sisters. In time we will be gone, and our memories with us. Take this comfort with you as you mourn your losses. The United States Marine Corps will never be forgotten. Your Brothers and Sisters will therefore never be forgotten. Your Sons and Daughters will never be forgotten. Your Fathers and Mothers will never be forgotten.They have passed into the legend and myth that is the United States Marine Corps. They will be remembered with the likes of Pharaoh's Army, The Hordes of the Khan's, Alexander's Armies, the Legions of Rome. Other armed forces across the length of time will be remembered as being less than our equals. Your loved ones have been a part of something special. Something that cannot be readily conveyed by mere words. It is scant comfort in this present time, but it is a source of quiet pride to those who understand. A Marine will live forever. God will not abandon those who have been willing to sacrifice so much for others. Your son, and the sons and daughters of so many others will certainly never be forgotten, here on earth or before the throne of God. They are only words, but they are all I presently have to offer. Be at peace, Mother. Be at peace Father. Be you all at peace, for your family member will most certainly be guarding Heaven's Gates upon your own arrival there in the fullness of time. Semper Fidelis, Marine family. Be Proud.

[wrbones]

Killing people. Plain and simple. The purpose of any Armed service throughout the ages has been to win battles. Winning battles requires several things in life. One is the willingness to kill your opponent by whatever means neccesary. This means you must be better trained, better motivated and know the cause for which you fight, is at heart, just and true. At it's basis, in any field of battle, it is the willingness to kill...or be killed.

Many Marines have spent years learning all that they can in order to become better at what they do than anyone else on the planet. Some of the greatest warriors and Generals in history have been United States Marines. They learned hand to hand combat, squad and small unit tactics. They learned logistics and planning, they learned to handle regiment and division size forces. They learned how to handle any piece of equipment that they or their enemies had in their arsenal. They learned seamanship. They learned geography. They learned defensive manuevers. They learned guerilla warfare. They learn to care deeply for their men. They learn the history of any potential foe, years before any conflict arises between them. They learn politics. They keep up on current events. They learn history and the history of warfare. They spend their entire lives dedicated to one thing. Learning how to defeat their enemies.

The best known Marine who ever did this was a man called Lewis B. Puller. LtGeneral, USMC.

[wrbones]

[ What you learn in the Marine Corps concerning fighting skills should NEVER be used as a way of being the baddest Mother Focker around! Period. You will be men. You will be women. You will be members of MY by God Marine Corps. You will not bully people or allow anyone else to do so in MY by God Marine Corps. You WILL find other ways to screw up! Learn everything you can, cross train, Do what you're told, the way you're told, then go and learn more from those who would teach you. Cross train, Tai Kwon Do, Kung Fu, Akido, Ju Jit Tsu, and anything else you can think of or find. Run, lift weights, play basketball, ride bicycles, roller blade, climb cliffs, swim, dive, anything and everything. Cross train. You will become a weapon, one of the worst nightmares on earth to those who oppose you in your search for the right to excercise your Patriotism and to give others the right to be free! This is your ultimate commision. Do it and do it well. Concerning other things. Marines work. They work damned hard. The stories you hear of drunken revelry ARE NOT THE NORM! DID YOU HEAR ME? They are not the norm. You work hard, and party seldom, but when you do, you will party hard. You WILL sacrifice. Your time, your career, your families, your lives and the lives of others in order to accomplish the mission. The mission is your goal. What is your mission? To give others the right to be free, and to earn it for yourselves. You will be the best. You will learn things that you never ever thought of. You will come to value your brother and sister Marines, for they have sacrficed as you will. They will never let you down, and if they do, try to help them get back up. You are brothers in my by God Marines. You will conduct yourselves as such. DISMISSED and get outta my sight, til ya think it over. Ya got any questions ask. Someone around here will have the answer.

[wrbones]

I remember one squadron I was with, I'd been there fer awhile. They had a black Master Sergeant transfer in. He proved himself from the first. A Marine's Marine. He knew his job, did it well. When there was time, he'd get ye sorted out in private. He became something of a father figure to us all. He took good care of us all. When you screwed up, you paid the price though. And you knew why! After awhile, outta respect, people did what they could not to screw up. All he had to do was look at you. Hard to explain the influence of this man. He was a good Marine, and a good man.

Several months after this Master Sergeant got there, we had a black L/Cpl assigned to the squadron. He played the race card every chance he could. He got away with a lot for awhile. It seemed that if you disagreed with him on anything at all, you were being racist if you were white. On the other hand, if you disagreed with him and were black, you were an Uncle Tom. One day, he made the mistake of calling that black Master Sergeant an Uncle Tom.

Well, I just happened to be right there when this happened. The Master Sergeant called this kid to attention in a command voice. The first time I'd ever heard of him raising his voice. He was the kinda guy who didn't have to yell! Then very quietly he began to speak to this L/Cpl. I NEVER heard a worse butt chewing in my life! After five minutes of being mesmerized by the performance, I had to leave outta embarrsment for the kid. It was bad! Really bad! It was like watching a train wreck in slow motion!

The kid became a model Marine after that.

I though this might be germain considering the last couple days...

[grunt66]

It is germain. You are ariticulate Bones. Excellent points and splendidly written.