This all is sure making the Intro board more lively.
Hey Denny - not that a Marine Gunny would ever need help from a nasty civilian, even the lowly little mama of Two of The Few, but I still gotta tell you, watch how you talk to a Marine, willya? You might lose a personal part you'll need down the line. You might not agree with his political views, but he's earned respect and is due thanks. Besides, Modding a board is a thankless job; I know, I do it myself. Aye Gunny, SingTHU now - LOL.
That being said, I suppose I can be classified as a lib at this point, albeit reluctantly.
My oldest son & I were recently at my middle Marine's base in Cali, where his unit deployed back to Iraq, again. Many of them had been reactivated from IRR. We listened to the kind CO who thanked us for supporting his Marines and allowing them to do their jobs well. He told us of the updated support system put in place for us at home, and that "things are so much better over there now", so we could more readily hear from our Marines and more often. I was warmly grateful for this big bear of a Marine who took the time to meet with each family that morning before departing with our loved ones in tow.
I also found myself wanting to bellow "Bravo Sierra" during the "It's going great" speil. The majority of Marines I know personally that aren't career are pretty damn vocal about how effed up it is, both with the general Iraqi anger at our presence and with the incessant drone of "It's gooood, we're winnin' the warrr ohn terr'r..." from the current Administration. Not every Jarhead I know, mind you. Just 95 percent. The actual number of proud, brave, squared-away Marines who are proud to serve - and who feel that being in Iraq in the first place is dead wrong - is staggering. And for those who'd demand stats to prove it, I'll echo what they probably would say to me: "I've heard them with my own ears", and from their parents as well. These young Americans are PROUD to be Marines, eager to do what they're trained to do, and to honor the giants upon whose shoulders they stand. I've lost count of how many times I hear "Send me to the 'Ghan - put me where we should be fighting." And it's no surprise to many of us that donations from active duty personnel, most deployed, go to Obama far more than they go to McCain.
Am I proud of my sons for their service? Da** right I am. Do I support them? Hells yes I do. Do I regret their decision and my loud affirmation of the choices? Not for one second. Am I set for another 7+ months of pride and terror that only someone in my position can truly understand? No choice, Semper Gumby, I gotta be. Do I want my third son to follow? Not with John McCain as the shot-caller and Caribou Barbie, I mean, Sarah Palin as the sidekick. I knew my Rebublican voting card was in for an 86 as soon as a reporter asked the President about going after bin Laden and Bush said "Honestly, I don't think about him all that much..." Sorry, you drooling pile of Texas cowpie...we families of those you send in the path of IEDs in Iraq - not to mention the ones who have died - dangitall, WE FARKIN' DO.
In this country, you don't have to serve to have an opinion on the Iraq war, or anything else. The opinions of those wo DO serve and HAVE -well, pardon me, but I tend to value their voices more - whether I agree with them or not.
JMOHO, of course.
Here goes another round of Baghdad time, flat-rate Priority goodie boxes out the wazzou, and hundreds of sleepless nights. It's all good. Come home safely and soon, Son. Watch your Brother's six. I love you with all my heart.