"I Am Coming!"

[Racerbvd]

"I Am Coming!"

I have many friends who are pilots, this reflects what I have been told by them.


Dear Terrorists,
I am a Navy Aviator. I was born and raised in a small town in New England. I come from a family of five. I was raised in a middle class home and was taught my values by my mother and father.

My dad worked a series of jobs in finance and my mom took care of us kids. We were not an overly religious family but attended church most Sundays. It was a nice small Episcopal Church. I have a brother and sister and I am the youngest in my family. I was the first in many generations to attend college.

I have flown Naval aircraft for 16 years. For me the flying was never a lifelong dream or a "calling," it just happened. I needed a job and I liked the challenge. I continue to do it today because I feel it is important to give back to a nation which has given so much to me. I do it because, although I will never be rich, my family will be comfortable.

I do it because many of my friends have left for the airlines and someone has to do it.

My government has spent millions to train me to fly these multi-million dollar aircraft. I make about 70,000 dollars a year and after 20 years will be offered a pension.

I like baseball but think the players make too much money. I am in awe of firemen and policemen and what they do each day for my community, and like teachers, they just don't get paid enough.

I respect my elders and always use sir or ma'am when addressing a stranger. I'm not sure about kids these days but I think that's normal for every generation.

I tell you all this because when I come for you, I want you to know me .



I won't be hiding behind a woman or a child. I won't be disguised or pretending to be something I am not. I will be in a U.S. issue flight suit. I will be wearing standard US issue flight gear, and I will be flying a navy aircraft clearly marked as a US warplane. I wish we could meet up close in a small room where I could wrap my hands around your throat and slowly squeeze the life out of you, but unfortunately, you're hiding in a hole in the ground, or a school, or a mosque or a hospital or a residential neighborhood, so we will have to do this a different way.


I want you to know also that I am very good at what I do. I can put a 2,000 lb. weapon through a window from 10,000 feet up. I generally only fly at night, so you may want to start sleeping during the day. I am not eager to die for my country but I am willing to sacrifice my life to protect it from animals like you.

I will do everything in my power to ensure no civilians are hurt as I take aim at you.

My countrymen are a forgiving bunch. Many are already forgetting what you did on Sept 11th. But I will not forget!!

I am coming. I hope you know me a little bit better, see you soon...sleep tight.

Signed

A U.S. Navy Pilot

Our Soldiers are one of our greatest assets

[Oh Haha]

F'in A!

[SlowToady]

AMERICAN SOLDIER: The average age of an American infantry soldier is 19 years. He is a short haired, tight-muscled kid who, under normal circumstances is considered by society as half man, half boy. Not yet dry behind the ears, not old enough to buy a beer, but old enough to die for his country. He never really cared much for work and he would rather wax his own car than wash his father's; but he has never collected unemployment either.

He's a recent High School graduate; he was probably an average student, pursued some form of sport activities, drives a ten year old jalopy, and has a steady girlfriend that either broke up with him when he left, or swears to be waiting for when he returns from half a world away.

He listens to rock and roll or hip hop or rap or jazz or swing and 155 mm Howitzers. He is 10 or 15 pounds lighter now than when he was at home because he is working or fighting from before dawn to well after dusk. He has trouble spelling, thus letter writing is a pain for him, but he can field strip a rifle in 30 seconds and reassemble it in less-in the dark. He can recite to you the nomenclature of a machine gun or grenade launcher and use either one effectively if he must.

He digs foxholes and latrines and can apply first aid like a professional. He can march until he is told to stop or stop until he is told to march. He obeys orders instantly and without hesitation, but he is not without spirit or individual dignity.

He is self-sufficient. He has two sets of fatigues: he washes one and wears the other. He keeps his canteens full and his feet dry. He sometimes forgets to brush his teeth, but never to clean his rifle. He can cook his own meals, mend his own clothes, and fix his own hurts. If you're thirsty, he'll share his water with you; if you are hungry, his food. He'll even split his ammunition with you in the midst of battle when you run low. He has learned to use his hands like weapons and weapons like they were his hands. He can save your life - or take it, because that is his job.

He will often do twice the work of a civilian, draw half the pay and still find ironic humor in it all. He has seen more suffering and death than he should have in his short lifetime. He has stood atop mountains of dead bodies, and helped to create them. He has wept in public and in private, for friends who have fallen in combat and is unashamed.

He feels every note of the National Anthem vibrate through his body while at rigid attention, while tempering the burning desire to 'square-away' those around him who haven't bothered to stand, remove their hat, or even stop talking. In an odd twist, day in and day out, far from home, he defends their right to be disrespectful.

Just as did his Father, Grandfather, and Great-grandfather, he is paying the price for our freedom. Beardless or not, he is not a boy. He is the American Fighting Man that has kept this country free for over 200 years. He has asked nothing in return, except our friendship and understanding.

Remember him, always, for he has earned our respect and admiration with his blood.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Too bad such dedication and talent is wasted on I-Wreck, which has nothing to do with any "war on terror". It's a real shame.

[Chocaholic]

With a title like "I am coming" from Byron...I was hesitant to open this thread!!!

Good little speech. Not sure of its purpose as it's unlikely it'll ever be read by its intended recipient, but a warm-fuzzy sentiment none-the-less. Then here comes POP to completely ignore the big picture in exchange for another small minded shot at our efforts in the ME. Very helpful.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

I meant what I said. I have all the respect in the world for the guys in our military. They're dedicated, talented and have every right to be proud of their skills. It's a tragedy that they're wasted on a personal vendetta on the part of King George II. They deserve to think they're doing something noble and in defense of our country, not being the goon squad for an imperialistic jackass.

[motion]

Originally Posted by Porsche-O-Phile

I meant what I said. I have all the respect in the world for the guys in our military. They're dedicated, talented and have every right to be proud of their skills. It's a tragedy that they're wasted on a personal vendetta on the part of King George II. They deserve to think they're doing something noble and in defense of our country, not being the goon squad for an imperialistic jackass.

I'd like to see you repeat your spiel in person to a group returning from Iraq, Jeff. You can find them at large airports often. Atlanta is a good place. Just find a bunch of them, maybe a couple hundred waiting for the next flight and lay into them with your speech.

You can do it here on the internets. Could you do it to their faces after they've returned from 6 months in Iraq?

[cashflyer]

Originally Posted by Racerbvd

"I Am Coming!"

I'm just breathing hard, but give me a couple minutes....

[Racerbvd]

Originally Posted by motion

I'd like to see you repeat your spiel in person to a group returning from Iraq, Jeff. You can find them at large airports often. Atlanta is a good place. Just find a bunch of them, maybe a couple hundred waiting for the next flight and lay into them with your speech.

You can do it here on the internets. Could you do it to their faces after they've returned from 6 months in Iraq?

If people like p-o-p would have taken the time to talk to those proud to serve their country, before we went in and after, they might have a clue. But people like him would never talk to someone who proudly serves their country, they seek out the ones who only joined for the benefits and were too cowardly to defend this country

[rammstein]

Umm.... yeah. Coming from Byron, I didn't expect this thread to be work-safe. But I still clicked it anyhow, out of morbid curiousity.

F'in A is right though.

[cairns]

"I'd like to see you repeat your spiel in person to a group returning from Iraq, Jeff. You can find them at large airports often. Atlanta is a good place. Just find a bunch of them, maybe a couple hundred waiting for the next flight and lay into them with your speech.

You can do it here on the internets. Could you do it to their faces after they've returned from 6 months in Iraq?"

Better yet, try it in a bar in Riverside, a restaurant in Jacksonville, NC or just on the street in Beaufort or Yuma. I'm sure there are Marines out there who would just love to debate you.

[widebody911]

I see the NeoTards groupies are back to hiding behind soldiers to avoid criticism of I-Wreck and its related policies. Nice.

[Nostril Cheese]

Originally Posted by motion

I'd like to see you repeat your spiel in person to a group returning from Iraq, Jeff. You can find them at large airports often. Atlanta is a good place. Just find a bunch of them, maybe a couple hundred waiting for the next flight and lay into them with your speech.

You can do it here on the internets. Could you do it to their faces after they've returned from 6 months in Iraq?

Thats 12 months, actually. Friend of mine just got home to his wife and 3 kids. He's going to be here for 4 months then re-deployed for 18 months.

[Racerbvd]

Originally Posted by widebody911

I see the NeoTards groupies are back to hiding behind soldiers to avoid criticism of I-Wreck and its related policies. Nice.

Nice to see the liberals go right back to name calling to avoid the truth.

[Chocaholic]

Originally Posted by Porsche-O-Phile

They deserve to think they're doing something noble and in defense of our country, not being the goon squad for an imperialistic jackass.

Hillary has you right where she wants you. No worries POP, she'll fix it all. You need to get your news from somewhere other than CNN. Talk to some soldiers or civilians that have spent any time over there that have seen the reality with their own eyes (and not Media correspondents). Then see how readily they accept your well-informed position.

[M.D. Holloway]

Originally Posted by motion

I'd like to see you repeat your spiel in person to a group returning from Iraq, Jeff. You can find them at large airports often. Atlanta is a good place. Just find a bunch of them, maybe a couple hundred waiting for the next flight and lay into them with your speech.

You can do it here on the internets. Could you do it to their faces after they've returned from 6 months in Iraq?

I actually have meet many on my flights around the country including Canada, I know many that have done a few tours as well as a few flyboys. Yet to meet one that wouldn't agree. They say it sucks to be there and all were scared shytless at times. Many had to kill and some saw buddies blown up or wounded.

But when I asked if it was the right thing to be doing, they all agreed (even the Canadians fighing in the gan as well as a few that saw conflict in iraqous).

War may suck but ambivalence sucks more. Lets not forget - they broke the law (international law) for many years. The UN didn't stand up and other nations were to weak or scared to do anything.

[futuresoptions]

I loved the military. The only thing I didn't like and one thing that I notice now in our country's current situation is that you are not in control of yourself. You can not do or go where you want to. You are always told by a superior what the best course of action is and what you will do to resolve situations. I see a battle that we cannot win. I consider G. Patton a crazy loon but he is one of my hero's. I think he would look at the Dems and Reps right now and call them both stupid a$$e$. Sadly we are not utilizing our military in the best manner at this time. I hate to see our guys used as pawns by both political parties....

[Tobra]

You folks infected with liberalism are all eaten up that news has been getting better out of the middle east, despite your patron saint, Nasty Nancy tossing an Armenian wrench into things. Sort of mental problem that would keep you standing on the tracks, wondering what that bright light was right up until you get knocked out of your shoes. You say, "I support the troops, just not their mission." then act surprised when people look at you funny.

Thanks Byron, I have read that before.

[snowman]

Originally Posted by Porsche-O-Phile

Too bad such dedication and talent is wasted on I-Wreck, which has nothing to do with any "war on terror". It's a real shame.

Your statement shows you have NO respect for our military. Why else interject such a comment into this thread? No other logical explanation fits.

Nancy Peloski, Castro, Hugo C., Pol Pot must be your heroes.

[CRH911S]

I think we should defer all questions relative the current state of affairs in Iraq to members of our diplomatic corps. Fair enough?