Veterans Day Tribute

[666]

Why Marines are different - the special inner strength, from my perspective

10 November 1997

A Message From the Commandant of the Marine Corps

Today the Corps and its friends around the world gather to celebrate 222 years of making Marines and winning battles for our nation. Over the course of those years, the name "Marine" has taken on a legendary, almost mystical, warrior status. It is a status forged in the cauldron of basic training, tempered by shared hardship, and sharpened in the crucible of battle. Making Marines and winning battles are inseparable, but on this, the 222nd birthday of our Corps, I would like each of us to reflect on what winning battles means.

Winning battles is as much a triumph of Marine spirit as it is a victory over a foe. It means reaching deep within ourselves to unleash the special inner strength … the indomitable will to win … that is the legacy of our Corps. Princeton, Tripoli, Bladensburg, Chapultepec, Belleau Wood, Iwo Jima, the Chosin Reservoir, Hue City, the oil fields of South West Asia … the mere mention of battles such as these floods us with deep emotion. Our hearts swell with pride, and our thoughts drift to memories of fallen friends, brave deeds, and the proud legions who have gone before. Our eyes seek out, and lock with, other Marines in a silent reaffirmation that we too are ready – in body, mind and spirit – to win the battles looming on our nation’s horizon.

No Marine is told to feel deeply about the battles of our Corps. But we do. This inner commitment, this spirit, is passed from Marine to Marine, generation to generation – not in word – not in print – but in resolve. It is a resolve to be the most ready when the nation is least ready – to sortie into the unknown – to meet the unexpected – to overcome the impossible – to defeat the forces of tyranny – to GUARANTEE victory. The same determination has sustained our Corps in times of uncertainty, in times of adversity, and in times of combat – just as it will in the battles we will fight – and win – tomorrow and the day after tomorrow.

The battles of our storied past are our legacy. Those battles, the ones we fight today and those we will surely face in our future, form the headwaters of a mighty river that flows through all Marines – its current ripples through our souls, renewing us, sustaining us, and fortifying us. Winning battles is what we should reflect upon today – and everyday.

Happy Birthday, Marines. God bless you, and Semper Fidelis


Following are statements which have been written about my personal experience while serving with 1/5. The Battle of Hue City:

With the advantage of planning and surprise, the Hanoi generals were confident of a great military and psychological victory for their cause. They numbered 10,000 NVA regulars and viet cong to 2,500 Marines. They had left out only one element in their well-laid plans: the devotion to duty of their foe. The Marine infantryman, with rifle in hand.

Elements of the 5th Marine regiment were ordered into action at Hue on 10 February and sent to the south bank of the Perfume River. Air support by fighter bombers was negligible because of the fog, rain, and low ceiling. The fighting would be at ground level. After three days, the battle was taken to the Citadel walls.

In the (declassified) First Battalion "After Action Report" it states "22 February, the 1st Battalion the 5th Marines succeeded in attaining the Hue Redoubt of the southeast wall of the Citadel of Hue whereupon an element of this unit hoisted our National Ensign." The Stars and Stripes went up over the Citadel wall. One hundred forty-nine U.S. Marines had been killed in action and over 800 wounded in this battle, described as the bloodiest of the entire Vietnam War. The First Battalion sustained so many killed and wounded, it was in danger of becoming under strength

As history now tells it, all the Marine infantrymen at Hue City had been chosen by fate or chance to uphold a grand tradition of the U.S. Marine Corps, "Death before Dishonor."

In the Oval Office of the White House stands each flag of our military forces bearing the silk streamers of great individual victories. The flag of the United States Marine corps has streamers for Belleau Wood, Guadalcanal, Peleliu, and Hue City. In June 1969, President Richard M. Nixon presented the Presidential Unit Citation to the First Marine Division for "soundly defeating a numerically superior force . . . by their aggressive fighting spirit and individual acts of heroism and daring."

Marines are not better then others, we are just different. I shall honor the holiday (the Marine Corps Birthday) by remembering my friends, uncommon friends. Many today in this politically correct world would not like these past friends of mine because they could be rough and vulgar at times, but they honor them. Sometimes honor is enough.




MILITARY RULES FOR NON MILITARY PERSONNEL

Dear Civilians,

We know that the current state of affairs in our great nation have many civilians up in arms and excited to join the military. For those of you who can't join, you can still lend a hand. Here are a few of the areas we would like your assistance:


1) The next time you see an adult talking (or wearing a hat) during the playing of the National Anthem ... kick their ass.

2) When you witness firsthand someone burning the American Flag in protest... kick their ass.

3) Regardless of the rank they held while they served, pay the highest amount of respect to all veterans. If you see anyone doing otherwise, quietly pull them aside and explain how these Veterans fought for the very freedom they bask in every second. Enlighten them on the many sacrifices these Veterans made to make this Nation great. Then hold them down while a Disabled Veteran kicks their ass.

4) (GUYS) If you were never in the military, DO NOT pretend that you were. Wearing battle dress uniforms (BDU's), telling others that you used to be "Special Forces," and collecting GI Joe memorabilia, might have been okay if you were still seven. Now, it will only make you look stupid and get your ass kicked.

5) Next time you come across an Air Force member, do not ask them, "Do you fly a jet?" Not everyone in the Air Force is a pilot. Such ignorance deserves an ass kicking (children are exempt).

6) If you witness someone calling the U.S. Coast Guard non military, inform them of their mistake...and kick their ass.

7) Roseanne Barr's singing of the National Anthem is not a blooper...it was a disgrace and disrespectful. Laugh, and sooner or later your ass will be kicked.

8) Next time Old Glory (U.S. flag) prances by during a parade, get on your damn feet and pay homage to her by placing your hand over your heart. Quietly thank the military member or veteran lucky enough to be carrying her...of course, failure to do either of those could earn you a severe ass kicking.

9) What Jane Fonda did during the Vietnam War makes her the enemy. The proper word to describe her is "traitor." Just mention her nomination for "Woman of the Year" and get your ass kicked.

10) Don't try to discuss politics with a military member or a veteran. We are Americans and we all bleed the same regardless of our party affiliation. Our Chain of Command, is to include our commander in Chief. The President (for those who didn't know) is our CIC regardless of political party. We have no inside track on what happens inside those big important buildings where all those representatives" meet. All we know is that when those civilian representatives screw up the situation, they call upon the military to go straighten it out. The military member might direct you to Oliver North. (I can see him kicking your ass already.)

11) "Your mama wears combat boots" never made sense to me ... stop saying it! If she did, she would most likely be a vet and therefore, could kick your ass!

12) Bin Laden and the Taliban are not communists, so stop saying "Let's go kill those Commie's!!!" And stop asking us where he is !!!! Crystal balls are not standard issue in the military. That reminds me ..... if you see anyone calling those damn psychic phone numbers; let me know, so I can go kick their ass.

13) Flyboy (Air Force), Jar Head (Marines), Grunt (Army), Squid (Navy) etc, are terms of endearment we use describing each other. Unless you are a service member or vet, you have not earned the right to use them. That could get your ass kicked.

14) Last but not least, whether or not you become a member of the military, support our troops and their families. Every Thanksgiving and religious holiday that you enjoy with family and friends, please remember that there are literally thousands of sailors and troops far from home wishing they could be with their families. Thank God for our military and the sacrifices they make every day. Without them, our country would get its ass kicked.


"It is the soldier, not the reporter who has given us the freedom of the press.

It is the soldier, not the poet, who has given us the freedom of speech.

It is the soldier, not the campus organizer, who gives us the freedom to demonstrate.

It is the soldier who salutes the flag, who serves beneath the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag, who allows the protester to burn the flag.."

(Authored by Father Dennis Edward O'Brien, Sergeant, USMC




http://www.palletmastersworkshop.com/namflash.html



USN '87-'91
USS Moosbrugger DDG-980

[SRISER]

God Bless the USA

LT S.T. Riser, SC, USN

Naval Hospital San Diego
Naval Hospital Oakland
Naval Hospital Bremerton
1st FSSG, Camp Pendleton
Foxtrot Co, 1st FSSG, Saudi Arabia (Desert Sheild/Desert Storm)
USS COLUMBUS (SSN 762)
Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington DC.

[rcecale]

Happy Birthday to Leathernecks around the world! Your service and sacrifices are greatly appreciated. As are those of Military members of ALL services!

Semper Fi!

[DonDavis]

I was Navy for 6 and worked at a Veteran's Administration Hospital for 4. Every Veteran's Day, the hospital would have a ceremony and it was really quite something to see. WW1 and WW2 Vets as quests and to hear some of them speak is really a treat.

I recommend anyone to visit a VA Hospital on Nov 11 at 11:11am and see what goes on. You won't be disappointed.

Happy Veteran's Day!
And while you're at it, HUG A VET!!!

[Moneyguy1]

My neighbor is a former POW in WWII (yes, still around after all that time). I spent my time in the United States Costal Protection Association (Coast Guard to the rest of you). Semper Paratus!!!

My respects and thanks to all who have served, are serving and will in the future!!

[Moneyguy1]

To the person who wrote via Wayne re: the theatre my neighbor served in...He was a navigator on a bomber shot down over France in early 1943 and was a prisoner for over two years. First name is Chuck. He has a lot of stories and foods he still cannot stand because their menu was rather limited...Anything with cabbage and turnips!!