How do you identify good men? It's actually pretty easy. A Marine, a young boy and a 5K race that ultimately meant nothing except to a boy who just wanted to finish. And, of course, the Marine who refused to leave him behind. I got a chill from reading that account and seeing this picture.
Being a man and a warrior is about so much more than just strapping on the gear and being a badass. It's about honor and fidelity and simple humanity. It's about courage, decency and the willingness to put anothers needs above your own. I am so proud of a nation that still produces men and women like Lance Corporal Myles Kerr. What an impact we can have on the lives of others simply from being honorable. Sometimes being a hero means finishing last.
A huge salute from me to a proud and worthy Warrior. Well done Marine. Very well done indeed. I am honored and humbled to consider myself your comrade in arms.
Six
A Navy buddy and I have been exchanging e-mails about his upcoming Sea deployment. It brought to mind a story I've been keeping to myself for almost 29 years. He liked it so I've decided the time is right to share it with you.
I was Artillery in the Army. In 1984 we went to Japan to exercise with the
JGSDF in an exercise called Michinoku 84. We were there long enough to get a few weekends free. On one of our jaunts we went into the
local city. For the life of me I can't remember it's name. I need to go
back to my old journal and refresh my memory. Anyway, while there we did
what all American tourists do I imagine. We hit a restaurant that
looked like a little slice of home. A McDonalds. It was different. You
ordered and then sat down and had the food delivered to the table. They
served rice instead or french fries. There were at least a half dozen of
us. Young, loud, hungry GIs, none of whom spoke a
word of Japanese. After several minutes of pidgin English and wild
gesticulations we were interrupted by an elderly Japanese gentleman. He
got the gist of what we wanted and then shooed us off to a table. He
placed our order and paid for the entire meal. It had to have cost him a
bundle. Prices were high anyway and for beef they were outrageous. He
came and sat with us, refusing all offers to pay him back. We talked as
we ate and found out he'd been an Artillery officer in the Imperial
Japanese Army during WWII. He'd seen combat. He spoke only broken
English and we even less Japanese but we didn't need an interpreter. We
spoke the same language, common among those who have made their living
in uniform. It was a conversation I will always remember. He was
honoring us and in his way paying homage to his own service and those
men he'd left behind. It was a perfect moment, the kind that comes along
but once in a lifetime if one is very, very fortunate. A
bunch of young American soldiers being regaled with stories about
another bunch of once young soldiers who had done their duty as they saw
it. He was a proud man and it showed. In my later years, after age had
granted me a modicum of wisdom, I understood that he was also teaching a
lesson only those who have seen the elephant can understand. Under the
uniform we are all the same. Warriors all. That bond can be found in the
most unlikely places. Even a McDonalds in the middle of a nation that
was once the bitterest of enemies.
I have no idea why he was moved to do what he did. No, that's not
true. I know exactly what motivated him. I feel it even now as age
begins it's inexorable pull on me. He saw a chance to educate, to give
back to the next generation no matter the uniform and to keep the memory
of his honorable service and the memories of all those men he so loved
alive. If only in the minds of a bunch of young Americans and only for a
little
while. It worked. I'll remember him as long as my mind remains my own
and I still draw breath.
I never got his name but it doesn't matter. I knew him as well as I know any of my brothers. Once a proud warrior always a proud warrior.
My buddy has agreed that when he gets to Japan he will go to a McDonalds and raise a toast to the memory of an old, proud Japanese soldier who once taught a young American what honor looks like. I am indebted my friend.
I just learned that Ed Rasimus passed away yesterday. The world is a little darker today. A little sadder. A little less wise. Another Warrior we can scarce spare has slipped the surly bonds.
No more razor sharp political take, his ability to pare away the BS and get down to the roots.
So many books unwritten.
So many stories untold.
So many young minds without the opportunity to be schooled by a master.
No more Saturday Morning Rocker.
I never met Ed in person but I was fortunate that he discovered my little blog and occasionally stopped by with a pithy comment or thoughtful observation. The first in a long line of Warriors who unstintingly gave from his store of wisdom. He readily gave advice to those who were appreciative of his efforts. He never pulled punches but called things exactly as he saw them. Those comments here are now more precious to me than gold. I read his books and even offered my opinion on what he should write about next. He was a good man, one I fear we will never see the likes of again. I've often said that America was just fine as long as we could continue to produce men and women of the Caliber of Ed Rasimus. I pray we still can though I am afraid.
Ed is undoubtedly ensconced at the bar in Fighter Pilot Heaven, sharing a drink with old comrades and telling stories. He has his Warrior body back, hale and strong, complete to bullet proof mustache. I am gladdened by the thought. But we who remain for a little while are saddened by our loss.
Clear skies and fair winds Ed. You will be sorely missed but never forgotten.
Are we the sum of our experiences? Or are we rather the result of our genetics? A case can be made for either argument. Perhaps it's a little of both. A predisposition toward certain behavioral characteristics inherent in our DNA coupled with the school of life and the choices we make. That supposes that we can actively learn from our mistakes and apply the lessons we're given. Sadly, human nature argues that the bulk of us cannot learn from our past and we are doomed to repeat the same mistakes over and over again.
I'm not a historian nor did I stay in a Holiday Express last night. I'm also not the brightest light in the Christmas Tree display. This is a general overview of a complex man and movement from an amateur historian with opinions formed of my own experiences an genetic predispositions.
I've been studying history lately. Particularly the post WWII and Cold War period. I'm a Boomer and the Cold War was my war. I served from 1977 to 1985. One of the fascinating periods of that era was that of Joseph McCarthy and the House UnAmerican Activities Commission (HUAC).
Now contrary to what many think they know, McCarthy did not start nor was he ever a part of HUAC. HUAC actually grew out of a House investigating Committee, chaired by Congressman Martin Dies in May of 1938. It was co-chaired by Samuel Dickstein who was later accused of being a Soviet sleeper agent in the Verona Project. HUAC became a permanent committee in 1946 as relations with the Soviet Union collapsed post war and the Iron Curtain was born. The whole purpose of the HUAC and the various committees and investigations it gave birth to was to bring to light the Communist infiltration of the US government by agents or Communist loyalists.
Joseph McCarthy was a US Senator from Wisconsin between 1947 and 1957. He gave rise to the term "McCarthyism" which is now used to accuse someone who is deemed to himself accuse others with little or no proof beyond speculation, suspicion and paranoia. By 1950 McCarthy was making his name by investigating possible and real ties between famous persons and the Communists in the USSR. Including many in the ranks of government and the military. And Hollywood, let's not forget the infamous Black Listing of notable entertainment industry insiders.
If you go to the link above and take a look at the Verona and Lee Lists you'll see quite a number of people who were suspected of espionage in government jobs, especially the State Department. Some were undoubtedly erroneous accusations but by no means most. He is often derided for failing to name names publicly but my reading tends to convince me he was actually quite aware of the damage inclusion on one of his lists potentially was and protected names until he was either forced to or was satisfied of their guilt. There were an awful lot of 5th Amendment invocations by witnesses during his hearings.
Reading up on McCarthy and HUAC, I come away understanding a little better how we got to where we are now. The simple fact is that, for the most part, McCarthy was right. There was a massive undertaking by the Communist USSR and it's loyalists and sympathizers to infiltrate and subvert the Democratic process in this country and push us toward the Soviet model.
Of course it was a different time and this was a different country. Even the Democrats feared McCarthy and his "I have in my hand" lists. We were still wedded to the idea of individualism and liberty and understood the danger that Communism and Socialism represented to those ideals.
In the end the media killed McCarthy's career. Edward R. Murrow is given a lot of credit for his hit piece on his See It Now show but the fact is that the media attacked McCarthy for years and the drumbeat of negative coverage coupled with some hearings that showed McCarthy may have been casting his net awfully wide eventually turned public opinion against him. In 1954 the Senate turned on McCarthy, ultimately accusing him of 46 counts of alleged misconduct. The Watkins hearings cleared him of all but two counts, that he failed to cooperate in 1952 with the Senate Subcommitee on Privileges and Elections and that he had intemperately abused Army general Ralph Zwicker who claimed that he would protect any other general who promotes Communist's within the military. The Zwicker charge was also later dropped and another charge substituted; That McCarthy had acted contrary to senatorial ethics and tended to bring the Senate into dishonor and disrepute. A vote was taken and McCarthy was Condemned by a vote of 67-22 with all the Democrats voting in favor and the Republicans evenly split. His career as a power in government was basically over at that point.
As we can clearly see now, in the end McCarthy failed. He did not because he overreached or was an evil person trying to gain power through false accusations and witch hunts. He failed because of Republicans who were more concerned with their image that the protection of our form of government, the power of the media, even then controlled by those with socialist leanings and the ignorance of far too many Americans who may have been soul sick of War but who still should have known better. But he wasn't wrong. He was able to end the careers and limit the potential damage of hundreds of actual Communist agents, supporters and agitators. The results may have been temporary but his victories weren't Pyrrhic. He exposed the template being used by the forces of anti-Americanism to overcome the protections guaranteed to the American Citizen in the Constitution. A plan of attack we can see very clearly in effect today. Knowledge is power.
Do we learn or are we predisposed to making the same mistakes over and over again? If recent history is a true indicator it's most assuredly the latter. I take a contrary view. All things end and the current socialist trend is no different. Politics are cyclical, as certain as the tides and just as changing. What comes in sooner or later will also ebb. Fortunately the framework for resistance and ultimate victory are still there, as strong and puissant as ever. The uncertainty, the unmeasurable constant, is our will. Which way will we go? Down the path of least resistance and Transnational Progressivism or toward the light of Liberty?
When I was a Cold Warrior I was stationed for a while at Ft Ord, California. During my initial time there we were a weigh station between CONUS and Germany. Those coming in were destined for other bases, either overseas or elsewhere in the US. No one went there just to be there. Ft Ord and the 7th Division were an afterthought in a planners computer model in the Pentagon. We had no mission and no pride. Then things changed and we got a new role. The Light Infantry model became ascendant and we were given a mission and a second chance. Gone was the holding Division and marking time until we all got to a real unit. In was the 7th Infantry Division Light. We became Lightfighters and we were proud. We rucked and ran and sweated and shot and trained. The Manchu Mile. The monthly 7th Division 7 mile run. Camp Roberts and Fort Hunter Liggett. Ranger School and Jump School and Air Assault School. For a solid year I spent 2 weeks in the field followed by two weeks in garrison to clean, maintain and get ready to go back out. We got in new cadre and new troops and were no longer a side note. We were now at the very tip of the spear and we loved it! Esprit De Corps is to the physical as 10 is to 1. All we needed to go from being rag bags to Soldiers was a mission worthy of our sacrifice and the confidence that we were being forged into a weapon to defeat the enemies of America. Pride comes from within but it needs a seed to grow.
A couple of months ago I went to visit Car Guy and Bike Nurse. While there we went for a bike ride on Ft Ord. It's now closed. It's ranges and barracks turned over to the local governments or dedicated as BLM land. But the bones are still there to see if you know where to look.
If you turn that picture sideways you can read the caption at the top. It says;
"Pre-Ranger. 7th Infantry Division Light. Out of these archways will walk the finest Lightfighters."
Not Might. Not We Hope. Not We'll Try. Will. I am proud to have been associated with that idea and those men.
She may be gone but she's not forgotten. The very hills yet echo with the sounds of Soldiers training and preparing to defend our nation. Her bones are still those of a warrior and no amount of cosmetic change can alter that fact.
America is like Ft Ord now. Changed. Different. But she lives on. Her pride may be hidden but it's still there. In the blood and sweat of the millions who worked so hard to ensure our victory every foe and obstacle. All she needs is the willing sacrifice of Patriots and Warriors. The pain and sweat and hard work necessary to build military units into weapons of war and countries into bastions of freedom. We have a mission but do we have the Pride, the Will? Is our Esprit De Corps gone, churned into the dust of history? I say NO, a thousand times NO. We are currently rediscovering who we are and what we can do. What liberty looks like and how quickly it can be taken away. Who the enemy are and what their tactics and plans are. We have forgotten so much and discarded the rest. But we are Americans and no task is beyond us. We are governed by our consent and the current politicians exist in office only through our sufferance. It's time we withdrew that consent. No retreat, no surrender and no accommodation. Remember McCarthy and the truth he publicized. It's not McCarthyism any more. It's recognizing reality.
Remember the proud 7th. There is no try. There is only Will.
I am a proud Lightfighter and I have only begun to fight.
The conflict over Israel's right to exist is heating up. Those who want nothing less than the destruction of the Jewish state are hurling rockets into civilian populated areas and crying foul when the IDF lights them up.
Of course the antisemitism has been ratcheted up to eleven. I was perusing the Twitterverse and was repulsed by the murderous rhetoric and complaints that Hitler should have done a better job. And not just by Alqassam Brigade either. Sickening. Someone want to remind me again who the tolerant and peaceful are again?
I speak for no one but myself here but I'm solidly pro Israel. They have a right to exist and defend themselves. If you're stupid enough to poke the bear you can't be surprised when you also get the claws.
I'm fairly sure this post will draw some hatred from the left for that position. Good. I'm a big believer in lines and taking positions on the important things in life. The continued existence and freedom of Israel, not to mention the lives of her citizens and Jews worldwide, is important. Religious hatred is bad. Ethnic cleansing is bad. Mass murder for hate's sake is bad. Rocketing Israel? That's just suicide.
I love Israel and her courageous defenders. Steady kicking ass since 1948. Willing to go it alone if they have to and Lord knows with the One in office that's pretty much their lot. For now.
So I'm going to set aside my comment policy just this once and ask The DO to indulge me on this. If you're a hater of all things Israel/Jewish and want to spew your venom on me please feel free to do so. I don't exactly get thousands of visitors but for those few who stumble across this post, please share your view of the Jewish Homeland and my position as one of their defenders with the rest of us. Threaten if you're feeling particularly brave behind your anonymous mask.
In a couple of days we will celebrate the birth of Christ. Christmas day. We'll open brightly wrapped packages, eat til we're stuffed, sing some carols and enjoy friends and family. As we should. As is right and proper. The chance to enjoy this holiday in the warmth and comfort of our homes has been bought and paid for by men and women who will never again feel the embrace of loved ones nor see the joy in their childrens faces upon opening a particularly precious gift. Brought to us by men and women who will spend yet another Christmas away from hearth and home so that we, their beloved countrymen, might have this day in peace. They will ever be in our hearts.
To all those we have lost. How we do miss you. For all those who are still serving, so far from your loved ones. We love you more than we can say. Thank you for your service and sacrifice. Thank you for allowing me to have those I love best near to enjoy our holiday in peace and comfort. Thank you for keeping the faith.
From my family to you and yours may you have a Merry Christmas. We pray that you will find your homes again safely in the new year. May God bless each and every one of you and may we never forget.
Last night I watched the documentary on the Military channel about the 502 PIR and the drop on D-Day again. It was awe inspiring. It wasn't just combat jumps they had to contend with. Every training jump was literally taking their lives into their own hands and the hands of the riggers. We owe so much to those men and indeed, all those who fought on that historic day. May we always remember and honor them.
Six
Song: Blood on The Risers, sung by the 82nd Airborne Chorus.
Lyrics:
He was just a rookie trooper and he surely shook with fright
as he checked all his equipment and made sure his pack was tight
He had to sit and listen to the awful engines roar,
And he ain't gonna jump no more.
CHORUS:
Gory, Gory, What a helluva way to die
Gory, Gory, What a helluva way to die
Gory, Gory, What a helluva way to die
He aint gonna jump no more.
"Is everybody happy?" cried the Sergeant, looking up.
Our hero feebly answered "yes," and then they stood him up.
He jumped into the icy blast, his static line unhooked.
He aint gonna jump no more.
CHORUS
He counted long, he counted loud, he waited for the shock;
He felt the wind, he felt the cold, he felt the awful drop;
The silk from his reserves spilled out and wrapped around his legs.
He aint gonna jump no more.
CHORUS
The risers wrapped around his neck, connectors cracked his dome;
Suspension lines where tied in knots, around his skinny bones;
The canopy became his shroud, he hurtled to the ground.
He aint gonna jump no more.
CHORUS
The days hed lived and loved and laughed kept running through his mind;
He thought about the girl back home, the one hed left behind;
He thought about the medicals and wondered what theyed find.
He aint gonna jump no more.
CHORUS
The ambulance was on the spot, the jeeps were running wild;
The medics jumped and screamed with glee, they rolled up their sleeves and smiled;
For it had been a week or more since last a chute had failed.
He aint gonna jump no more.
CHORUS
He hit the ground, the sound was splat, his blood went spurting high;
His comrades they were heard to say, "A helluve way to die";
He lay there rolling round in the welter of his gore.
He aint gonna jump no more.
CHORUS
There was blood upon the risers, there were brains upon the chute;
Intestines were a-dangling from this paratrooper suite;
He was a mess they picked him up, and poured him from his boots.
He aint gonna jump no more.
Gory, Gory, What a helluva way to die
Gory, Gory, What a helluva way to die
Gory, Gory, What a helluva way to die
He aint gonna jump no more.
Woo Hoo! Let me just say it. I'm glad he's dead. He deserved to die and I just hope it was by our hands. We've been waiting for this day for a very, very long time.
Information is sketchy at this hour (2120 MST) but he was apparently killed about a week ago outside Islamabad, Pakistan either by missile/bomb or gunshot. Waiting for the Obama press conference.
At this point I'm just hoping it was an American who pulled the trigger, either in a cockpit or on a rifle. ID was through familial DNA match which argues that we do indeed have his body.
Lots of pundits speculating and Geraldobloviating. I'm guessing security will get ratcheted up for possible (probable?) retaliation.
This is important for a couple of reasons. Bin Laden needed to be dead. Our war dead and the victims of 9/11 cry out for justice. It's also a good message to send to the rest of the world. Yeah, it took us almost 10 years but we persisted for almost 10 years. No matter how long it takes us, if you want to perpetrate such crimes against Americans we'll not rest until we find you and kill you. Bin Laden was living on borrowed time since September 11th 2001. It's also better he's dead than bringing him in for a trial. Every two bit terrorist with delusions of grandeur would have tried to try and either free or ransom him. Yeah, yeah I know. Now he's a martyr. He'd have been that one way or another. Whether by violence or lethal injection, dead is dead.
Paki's now confirming. Still waiting on The One. Come on, it's been at least half an hour since the story broke.
2135 MST. Obama confirms it was an American Operation. He's talking about 9/11. He's taking credit. No surprise there. He's confirming it was an American team who killed Bin Laden in a firefight. No American casualties, thank The Lord. Obama's speech was actually pretty good. The best I've heard him give. He ended with the last few lines from the Pledge of allegiance. Wow.
There will be more information forthcoming in the coming days I'm sure. For now all I can say is this.
To all our men and women who have and are serving in the cesspools of Iraq and Afghanistan. To the team who finally ran this mad dog down and ended his miserable and evil life. To the America who has supported and loved our valiant warriors.
Well Done! I am so very proud to be an American tonight.
Six
update: Looks like it's a party in New York tonight. Go right ahead folks, you earned it.
update: Looks like it was special ops personnel, perhaps Navy Seals. I know a few guys who will never, ever have to buy a drink in America again.
update: Geraldo is interviewing people on the streets, including veterans, active duty and military families. The joy is palpable. Chants of USA are everywhere.
Whatever you may think of his politics or policies, George W. Bush loves the men and women of our military. He started an event he calls the W100. It's a 100K mountain bike ride with some of our wounded warriors. You can find the rest of the videos here. The videos are inspiring, especially the interviews. Take a minute to watch some of them and remember the awesome debt we owe these men and women.
Riding with the heroes indeed.
Six
h/t to Quilly at Justbarkingmad for turning me on to this.
Nicolas Sarkozy seems like a pretty serious guy. He's been talking tough for a while and now has taken the next step, at least in Mauritania, by declaring War on AQIM. I'm not completely clear on just what role the French took in the raid beyond 'technical support' but I'd bet there were some French military assets involved.
My favorite part of the story was the comment by the the Socialist Party;
"We have no quarrel to pick provided everything is done to protect both the security of our fellow citizens ... and of French territory," Socialist party spokesman Benoit Hamon told France-Inter radio. (Rueters)
Say what you will about the French but they've been active in anti pirate operations and if they are serious about the Al Queda threat anywhere it's a good thing. The French are light years ahead of the military of any Second or Third world country you care to name and better than many First as well. France currently has about 3500 troops in Afghanistan and as late as January 2010 Sarkozy confirmed his intention to maintain their presence until the job was done.
In light of the latest atrocity by those who profess to follow the religion of peace, the beheading of a 78 year old French aid worker, an increase in French operations is certainly possible and would be welcome. I could even see a time, during the current administration, when France could take over the lead in prosecuting the world wide war on terrorism. And wouldn't that be a kick in the nether regions.
Lately we have been hearing and reading about major legislation being considered by both the House and the Senate, Where no one has had the opportunity, or the time, to thoroughly read and understand what exactly is in the bill. In one case a speed reader was brought in, and everyone present was expected to fully understand what was being read. This is not only ridiculous, but in my humble opinion, a slap in the face of every voter. Every representative, of the people, should be fully aware of what he/she is signing, and how it will affect their constituency. If one has not read and understood whatever bill they are signing, they are not fulfilling their sworn duty as a representative, and are committing fraud.
Although each representative may be pressured by their political party, and/or their leaders within their party, they should never forget just who they are representing, and even if under heavy pressure should think only about their obligation to the people who put them into office. This type of thinking, on my part, may be naïve, but it is what our political system was founded on, true representation.
At present we do not have term limits for our representatives, except for the President, who, matter of fact, also supposedly works for us. Since many of our Congressmen and Senators seem to think that speed reading is the way to go They should be obligated, by law, to be proficient in doing just that, which also means they should be able to explain to the people exactly what was in the bill before them.
LCDR Roberto J. Prinselaar, USCG (Ret)
The Sarge EOTIS In God We Trust Just An Old Sheepdog
