RE: http://www.military.com/opinion/0,15202,163480,00.html

To quote the author: "HOPE FOR A BETTER DAY"! It's a CRYING SHAME that only 1% of the american population, are fighting the "GREAT FIGHT"!!!!!!!!!

GOD BLESS YOU. How does one speak of compassion when describing a Marine Warrior? This article brings me back to Marines' compassion I saw in Vietnam. CORPSMAN UP! One night in SEP 69 I was the lead Forward Observer for a company of Marine Grunts. We were on the Vietnam DMZ surrounded by North Vietnamese troops. On that night all but one of our Corpsmen were Killed as they compassionately exposed themselves to hostile fire rendering first aid to their wounded Marines. The surviving corpsman was wounded by Snoopy who dropped flares and raked the NVA over run lines with thousands of 7.62 rounds flowing from her electrically driven multiple barreled machine gun.

The NVA were on top of us so fast that the artillery I called in landed dangerously close to Marine lines. All night long I heard wounded Marines screaming "CORPSMAN UP". All of our second lieutenant platoon leaders were killed as they ran compassionately along their platoon's area of responsibility checking on his fellow Marines.

I listened as a black Marine point man did not know if the white Marines would come to his aid if he were ambushed. Suddenly while walking point he was hit and a Marine fire team and Corpsman compassionately came to his aid. He learned that in a fire fight there is no color only fellow Marines and the enemy.

Compassion is relegated to survival which makes WARRIORS kill the enemy for their compassion of their fellow WARRIORS.

WARRIORS die not for their country or their flag. Warriors die because of the compassion they have toward their fellow WARRIORS.

SEMPER FI AND GOD BLESS AMERICA

TO THE TOPIC:AMEN!!

quote:

Originally posted by 9628268:
RE: http://www.military.com/opinion/0,15202,163480,00.html

To quote the author: "HOPE FOR A BETTER DAY"! It's a CRYING SHAME that only 1% of the american population, are fighting the "GREAT FIGHT"!!!!!!!!!

Why does it seem bad that only 1% of the population is fighting this great fight ???
Some warriors are getting tired and opting to get out and go back with family is that bad ?

Two of my grandsons were in the Army, one got out at his wife's urging. They are now living with the wife's parents. He was in Iraq.
The other one is in Afghanistan on his 5th tour. He'll be home sometime in March. I don't agree with Bush's assesment of Iraq, thousands of men are being hurt or killed. In Afghanistan they are fighting a religious war.

A sad anniversary, indeed. And for some of us, families and servicemembers alike, the "stretching" continues- again, and again, and again.

Since 9/11/2001 (the day on which, coincidentally, my older son entered basic training), from my own family alone -

Deployment #1 - my husband, May 28, 2002 - May 27,2003 to Bosnia.

Deployment #2 - my son, Dec 7,2002 -Aug 27,2003 to Afghanistan. (Yes, both of them were gone at the same time, leaving me at home alone, to take care of my youngest son, then age 7, who is autistic.)

Deployment #3 - my son, Medically discharged from the NG, Recalled from the IRR by the Army Reserve. Reclass trained 22 APR 07 - 24 MAY 07. Deployed 22 JUN 07 to present on 400 day orders in Iraq.

Upcoming Deployment #4- my husband - unit Stands up in Sept, possibly ticketed for Iraq or Afghanistan, length of tour unknown.

Not conplaining - just noting, that, like so many other military families and their servicemembers, the burden does seem to fall, unproportionately and repeatedly on the same 1% of the population that serves - over and over and over.

I have a certain sense of relief in knowing that shortly after my son returns his eight year obligation will have been completed and this permanently disabled veteran, serving on active duty again will not be able to be called to service yet another time - he will NOT be extending his enlistment obligation.

I also have a certain sence of relief in knowing that when my husband returns from this upcoming deployment, he will join the ranks of the retired reserve warriors, who are much less likely to ever be tapped again. He is getting older, and this is, after all a young man's "game".

Sadly, While I agree with the author that this could be called "The Crisis", it is not being responded to as a crisis, as is evidenced by how many years this particular anniversary represents. I only hope that there will not be too many more of this particular type of anniversary - for any of us.

Meanwhile, I will greet my returning hero, and send the other one off with my love and prayers. And I will be here, caring for our home and our disabled son until his dad comes home again - hopefully, this time, for the last time.

I thank, bless, and pray for all of our soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines and their families that stay behind. We all serve, and I pray every day that someday we all get to serve a little bit LESS OFTEN.

May the fallen rest in peace, may the wounded heal, and may our loved ones and their comrades return unharmed.

And may those who are left behind waiting stand in pride, for our service members do their job so others won't have to.

"Many of the powers of Congress are expressly stated in the Constitution, including the right to impose taxes, borrow money, raise an army, print money, and so forth."

So "spartan121;" the "ONE Percent" of the Population is a Determinant of our Congress!

There would be a "hell of a lot more Great USA Citizens" in our Military -- if it were allowed!

And; NO, it's not BAD if the majority of our troops; PROVIDE a Great Service to their Country; then, choose to "Get Out" rather, than make the military a career!

The "Active Duty Time In Service" is NOT an "INDICATOR" of the Individual Troop's decision on whether they agree or disagree with the war or anything else. The "decision" to get out is as various as the individuals that provide the service.

Each and every one of them OUGHT to hear a "heartfelt THANK YOU" from the 99 percent of us that are on the RECEIVING END of their efforts to PROTECT US! Moreover, we ought to thank their families and friends as well.

Those of us, who have been to war, know often "ONLY ONE FAMILY MEMBER" leaves Home; but the entire family SERVES. Thus, I thank them as well!

From A Proud Vietnam Veteran

quote:

Originally posted by spartan121:

---------------(Snip)---------------

Why does it seem bad that only 1% of the population is fighting this great fight ???
Some warriors are getting tired and opting to get out and go back with family is that bad ?

Here, Here!! As one who has automatically moved, after hearing a Marine's exclaimation in pain (even after Gunny said "Dagnabbit Doc, stay down and wait aminute!"), I can say it ain't all heroism and determination. The reflex comes from being trained, very well, to care for those Grunts, who are protecting your butt!!

From one Corpsmen to all Marines: Thank YOU for allowing this squid to serve with you. I was just doing my job!

Amen

quote:

Originally posted by fmfdoc451:
Here, Here!! As one who has automatically moved, after hearing a Marine's exclaimation in pain (even after Gunny said "Dagnabbit Doc, stay down and wait aminute!"), I can say it ain't all heroism and determination. The reflex comes from being trained, very well, to care for those Grunts, who are protecting your butt!!

From one Corpsmen to all Marines: Thank YOU for allowing this squid to serve with you. I was just doing my job!

Amen

My older brother was an Army Medic during Vietnam. After I graduated from Hospital Corps School I met with him and discussed patient care modalities. He said he was impressed at how much training the Navy Corpsman receives. He said it made him feel like a bandage jockey. God bless all Medics/Corpsmen who choose the field that saves lives. Also, lets never forget the wives and families that a Service Member looks forward of returning to and the knowledge that he/she is loved and missed.

This was really a great story. The author has hit the nail on the head--that soldiers are indeed compassionate, and that they are sacrificing much more than we are in this war against the baddies.