The Limos.com Forum Has Moved!!!

As Memorial Day is approaching, I would like to share something that came across the e-mail today:

Semper Fi, Marines
"This is another combat report from Col Bob Chase, G-3, 2MarDiv in Iraq.
Matador is now officially over, supposedly, they were going to fight our way back and destroy us, guess they missed the turn at the dairy queen. We are back and the final tally was Good Guys, 125+ enemy dead, and many more wounded, and 39 detainees of some significant value. The bad guys, who talk a real good game, 9 killed (6 in the one AMTRAC) and 30 wounded (most will return to duty).
As we have said, our intent was to make ourselves big, by leveraging our firepower and mobility. This area was a real sh-- hole for AMZ criminals. We knew it, 1st Division knew it, but working it on a regular basis was tough. We kept some recon there and got the timing pretty well, brought up a bridging unit from the Army in Baghdad, then went across in the middle of the night.
The enemy figured out after 4 hours that we were there in force. They came down with about 100 fighters (no, scratch that, they were targets) and made the poor decision to take on the battalion in open ground.
NBC interviewed me again, last night, good stuff, but they harped on the casualties. I told them it was war; they wanted to know if a whole squad was killed in the track. As I told them a squad's worth of Marines were killed/hurt (6KIA,14WIA) but it was not the catastrophic loss of a squad. NBC wanted to know how to refer to them, as a squad, company, etc. I told them, pretty bluntly, refer to them for what they will always be, US Marines! They continued to push, they wanted to know how we considered this a success with the deaths, I nearly lost it, and how would we remember them, would there be a ceremony? You know what happens when I get into this mode, thought you might appreciate the answer:

We can never replace a fellow Marine or best friend but I can attest that he died doing what we all hope to be doing as Marines, they were advancing, leading, and setting the example, they were being Marines! It may not matter in the grand scheme of things to anyone but us, but we are singularly proud that we have and know Marines that fought and died like these. We remember and memorialize them and keep them alive every single time we put on this uniform -- we are just honored to wear the same eagle, globe, and anchor as these warrior heroes. We don't make policy, we don't decide on the fight, but we do fight and win. And when we win, it is because every one of these Marines fight with us in spirit, and we will not, we cannot let them down. To we Marines, Semper Fidelis is more than a motto, it was to them, and to us who were privileged to fight with them, a way of life."

Do take some time out this weekend to reflect on the sacrifices made by our brave.

quote:

Originally posted by Dick Hall:
This should not be a day of BBQ, beer and party"s, it should be a day of solemn memorial for those heroes that gave their lives so that we could all enjoy the freedom that we do.

And I include all the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Coastguards and Marines that have served and continue to serve.

'At the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember them'

Dick Hall (Army) 16 years.

www.wallofheroes.com/soldiers_prayer.html

This should not be a day of BBQ, beer and party"s, it should be a day of solemn memorial for those heroes that gave their lives so that we could all enjoy the freedom that we do.

And I include all the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Coastguards and Marines that have served and continue to serve.

'At the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember them'

Dick Hall (Army) 16 years.

quote:

Originally posted by gunny:
Received an add from "Disney" that started off with "Happy Memorial Day". The damn problem with this country is that it thinks it is a day of celebration, sales and BBQ's. Memorial Day is not about celebrating the Veterans of our Nation but to honor the memory of those who never made it to the Veterans status.

Gunny your right. Your post reminds me of one of my biggest pet peeves. Calling people heros. In my opinion there are not many living real heros. Especially after 9/11 every cop and fireman was called a hero. I have the utmost respect for firefighters and cops alike but lets face the heros went back in that building knowing they would never make it out alive.

Received an add from "Disney" that started off with "Happy Memorial Day". The damn problem with this country is that it thinks it is a day of celebration, sales and BBQ's. Memorial Day is not about celebrating the Veterans of our Nation but to honor the memory of those who never made it to the Veterans status.

Gunny, Thanks for sharing. I would like to point out that we don't have a National Civilians Day. MEMORIAL DAY RULES !!!!!