The Military

[deanglen]

If anyone cares to check this link and read the treatise I think they would find it stimulating to thought on this topic. I have enjoyed reading these posts, and appreciate the thoughtfulness and sincerity of them all.
http://www.godrules.net/library/luther/NEW1luther_e7.htm
dean

 

[Story]

They were to focused on Iraq. Because of that they allowed the real killer of our fellow Americans to get away.
.

Interesting, since the battle of Tora Bora was in December 2001. I'll make it a point to find that book.

 

[airfrogusmc]

Story another good read about the war in Iraq.
http://www.amazon.com/Fiasco-Americ...=pd_bbs_1/104-4540147-7709568?ie=UTF8&s=books

 

[Story]

Story another good read about the war in Iraq.
http://www.amazon.com/Fiasco-Americ...=pd_bbs_1/104-4540147-7709568?ie=UTF8&s=books

Again, interesting but there are a fair number of soldiers' blogs that are diametrically opposite of his pessimism. Considering that I've been deployed to another part of CENTCOM already and laughed my way through deployment reading the media's mis-reporting, I'll take the Chicken Little reports with a few grains of salt.

 

[airfrogusmc]

The pentagon just released a report that falls in line with some of what this book talks about and Thomas Ricks is respect for being even in his reproting. The way the war has been mismanaged makes an old Marine like me really mad.

 

[Fedorista]

...Back to the real issue though I don't agree with the situation in Iraq doesn't mean I will not support the men and women doing a very difficult job in an impossible situation. We have to finish the job there. I don't want to even think of what will happen there if we don't...

What do you mean by 'finish the job'?

 

[airfrogusmc]

The way I see it we can't just leave.

 

[Daisy Buchanan]

The way I see it we can't just leave.

I agree. That already happened once, and look how that turned out....

 

[ArrowCollarMan]

All I can say now is "arg".

 

[ArrowCollarMan]

Well, the graduation ceremony for MCRD San Diego is done. I have plenty of pictures from the event and I found it to be quite interesting.

I went down to San Diego for two things: one was the Noth China Marine reunion. My Grandpa was a Marine in North China and at the start of WWII was captured by the Japanese and held prisioner for the entire war. Even though my Grandfather passed away 2 years ago my family continues to attend. It just so happens that the reunion was in San Diego and it just so happens my cousin was graduating from Boot Camp that week. We took a tour of the base and then went to the ceremony. After the ceremony we had lunch and my cousin came.

I am overwhelmingly proud of my dear cousin Matthew for completing Marine training. :}

Private First Class Simpson (aka cousin Matt) escorting my Grandmother.

Matt shaking the hand of one of the North China Marines.

Matt with several of the attending (and surviving) North China Marines)

A family picture.

My cousins Matt and Amanda Simpson.

I have TONS more pictures if anyone wants to see them.

 

[Daisy Buchanan]

ArrowCollarMan. These are such great photos. I'm glad to hear of the pride you have in your military family members. You have a lovely family, thank you for sharing the pictures of this most special and memorable event.

 

[Viola]

Great photos. And I love a man in uniform!:eusa_clap

 

[airfrogusmc]

UUUHHHRAAA and an expert.... OUTSTANDING!!!!!

 

[carebear]

UUUHHHRAAA and an expert.... OUTSTANDING!!!!!

Okay, back in apolitically.

Not just Expert, but also PFC out of Boot. That's stikkin' doggone good to go!

Congratulations to your cousin. He deserves your family's pride. Good work to you and them on continuing to support the China Marines as well.

It's quite a ceremony, isn't it?

 

[ArrowCollarMan]

Good work to you and them on continuing to support the China Marines as well.

Thats a given.

Quite a cermony, isn't it?

Actually, I was kinda bored through most of it...plus it was hot. When it ended I ran like hell to go find Matt. I have plenty of pictures of the ceremony and plenty of pictures of a drill Sgt. showing us around the base and a couple more Marines talking to the WWII vets.

I havn't changed my opinion about war. Nothing glamarous or "honorable" about it, in my opinion. The reason I see the need to honor these men is because they went through sheer hell, they saw war for what it was. When you hear, in detail, what just the North China Marines went through its amazing they even survived. It's a testimony of human courage and strengh as well as how utterly horrible man can be to man. And thats just one group of people from WWII.

As for this generation, I don't know what to expect...except maybe WWIII. At least our people arn't spitting on troops who've come home from Iraq or calling them baby killers and all that other crap like in Vietnam. I don't care if the war sucks, our soldiers need to be respected!

All in all, I do have a different point of view about the armed forces. I saw just a little bit of what they go through and the thought process behind it all. Hell, I'm NEVER joinning the Marines but I've walked away with a new-found respect for them.

 

[airfrogusmc]

ACM I have to take exception to part of your statement. It Drill Instructor not Drill Sgt. lol

Congratulations!!!!

 

[carebear]

All in all, I do have a different point of view about the armed forces. I saw just a little bit of what they go through and the thought process behind it all. Hell, I'm NEVER joinning the Marines but I've walked away with a new-found respect for them.

That'll do fine.

And I apologize for being so angry in tone earlier. Obviously it's a subject near and dear to my heart. Which doesn't excuse rudeness over a difference of opinion. Tell your cousin Semper Fi from a fellow "Hollywood Marine".

 

[airfrogusmc]

Ditto...

 

[ArrowCollarMan]

ACM I have to take exception to part of your statement. It Drill Instructor not Drill Sgt. lol

Congratulations!!!!

Oh c'mon, I'm a civilian, cut me some slack. :eusa_doh:

 

[airfrogusmc]

lol lol AWWWWRIGHT but get down and give me 30....