I never served but I was coming of draft age when Nixon abolished the
draft and formed the voluntary military. I was a dumb ass kid watching
the daily death toll in Vietnam. I breathed a huge sigh of relief and
went on with my life. I would have made a lousy soldier because I
was a rebel who could not stand a regimented lifestyle.
Having said that, I will forever be unworthy to shine the shoes of the
lowliest recruit in the military. I read three biographies of Marines
who served in the battle for Okinawa in the same unit. They all
recounted an event that I think of every time I had a bad day at work.
Pinned down in muddy foxholes, these Jarheads had to deal with
torrential rain and constant enemy mortar fire. They were bailing
water, urine, and shit out of their muddy pits with their helmets
for about week. To pop your head up for a look was an invitation
for enemy snipers. When the weather cleared, close air support
repelled the Japs allowing them to advance.
One the Marines slipped down a muddy hillside and right into the
bloated body of dead Jap officer. The Marine ended up with a
shower of maggots.
The next time someone tells you they had a bad day at work or your
wife tells you she had a bad day at home, think of this! They were
better men than I will ever live to be.
Thanks to you, Denny, to all who read this page and have served. Both countries are somehow very connected. And we owe so much to all veterans from both sides. Also thanks to all the young people presently sacrificing their youth, many in places we never hear from. I beg God to give peace to the world.
Denny …..I did not make it to my special cemetery which has the dough boy statue charging up th hill. I felt very bad but will be there this weekend, better late then never.The weather was too nasty for me to drive the 85 miles ……Snow was fun when was younger but now it is a pain in the ass.
Present company included … thank you for your service Denny. 🇺🇸!
Indeed. Thanks to all who served.
Thanks to those who haven’t come home yet.
At least the two cities close to where I live had parades yesterday. Small towns in Kommiefornia still observe some of the old holidays.
I never served but I was coming of draft age when Nixon abolished the
draft and formed the voluntary military. I was a dumb ass kid watching
the daily death toll in Vietnam. I breathed a huge sigh of relief and
went on with my life. I would have made a lousy soldier because I
was a rebel who could not stand a regimented lifestyle.
Having said that, I will forever be unworthy to shine the shoes of the
lowliest recruit in the military. I read three biographies of Marines
who served in the battle for Okinawa in the same unit. They all
recounted an event that I think of every time I had a bad day at work.
Pinned down in muddy foxholes, these Jarheads had to deal with
torrential rain and constant enemy mortar fire. They were bailing
water, urine, and shit out of their muddy pits with their helmets
for about week. To pop your head up for a look was an invitation
for enemy snipers. When the weather cleared, close air support
repelled the Japs allowing them to advance.
One the Marines slipped down a muddy hillside and right into the
bloated body of dead Jap officer. The Marine ended up with a
shower of maggots.
The next time someone tells you they had a bad day at work or your
wife tells you she had a bad day at home, think of this! They were
better men than I will ever live to be.
Thanks to you, Denny, to all who read this page and have served. Both countries are somehow very connected. And we owe so much to all veterans from both sides. Also thanks to all the young people presently sacrificing their youth, many in places we never hear from. I beg God to give peace to the world.
Denny …..I did not make it to my special cemetery which has the dough boy statue charging up th hill. I felt very bad but will be there this weekend, better late then never.The weather was too nasty for me to drive the 85 miles ……Snow was fun when was younger but now it is a pain in the ass.