THANK YOU
AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARINE CORPS!
BULL MOOSE AMERICA
"Do What You Can, With What You Have, Where You Are" -Teddy Roosevelt
BullMooseAmerica@gmail.com Welcome, Brave Americans, To The New Movement
"Do What You Can, With What You Have, Where You Are" -Teddy Roosevelt
BullMooseAmerica@gmail.com Welcome, Brave Americans, To The New Movement
BullMoose America: THANK YOU
AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARINE CORPS!
Very well said. Nothing to add to a simple "THANKS, guys, for making our country safe and free".
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.............. I salute you all ladies and gentlemen. All of those who have and are serving are my heroes including me.
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Thanks for this entry Jamie.
You know on this day and through the next week, Marines greet each other by saying Happy Birthday? How Cool.
I will never in my life forget the rough and rugged Marines that kept the way clear for us in Somalia.
I will never forget how tired and yet strong they were. The Marines are the rock of our forces.
I also want to give a Thank You to my Grandfathers, both Marines. One who fought attached to The U.S.S. Massachusetts.
http://www.battleshipcove.org/bb59-history.htm
The other fought at the Battle of Tararwa...
http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/tarawa.htm
What a group of Americans all to themsleves, the Marines. One grandfather I lost in 96 the other has been gone coming up on a year.
When these two would get together it was something to behold.
When I got home from basic training I remember at a party my grandpa Don ( USS Massachusetts) saying to my other Grandpa Les (Tarawa)... " We had 285 Navy guys and 85 Marines on the Massachusetts....but I still can't understand what the hell those Navy guys were doing on our ship"
That's a Marine....
Here is a clip of the Honshu Raids...The Pacific Fleet..at the beginning you see the power of the USS Massachusettrs paving the way... great color footage of the Pacific Fleet.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4605919907241565441&q=USS+Massachusetts&total=75&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=7
The Battle of Tarawa footage..
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2562613640180992058&q=tarawa&total=114&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=1
As I revisit the footage of both of these historic events it hits me that somewhere in this film,in thess events are my grandfathers.
Grandpa Les who was at Tarawa told me that because they misjudged the tide that they had to wade in water across the coral reef. His legs were cut up as if he walked through a field of razor blades..
He told me once that by the time they reached the beach he felt like crawling under a truck and just die...but the Marines carried on and won Tarwara after three days of bloody battle.....
I can't imagine this in my mind what my grandfathers had been through. But I have to say on this weekend when it all hits me, how much I miss them and admire them. Great Great Marines.
I just have to say to them...That I miss you, I miss your strength. I miss your arm around my shoulder. I miss your laughter. I miss your voice. I miss the security of having you in my life..... You are the Greatest Generation.
Semper Fi Marines!
God Bless You and Thank You!
Thx LTL
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.... BTW Jamie where did you get that picture of me saluting in my dress uni. My god that was years ago.
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Thanks Wayne, LT, and Stephen...It's been a great day..the downtown parade was awesome and tonite's USO Salute to Heroes ceremony was truly amazing.
With the exception of Jimmy the LT., most guys my age have had it easy. I am humbled by both the older generation and the younger ones like my son who have an unusual sense of dedication to service. Men and women 50 and above and men and women 25 and younger seem to have a lot in common and it is truly amazing. The stories of tonite's Heroes at the USO ceremony are amazing..and they're all 30 and younger. There were FOUR Purple Hearts among them. Wow.
There are many more coming back soon. An entire new generation of men and women we will be required to honor every day. Veterans all.
Thanks gang..and thanks LT for making the 35-40 something guys look good.
(and please, I know there are a ton of 35-40 something great veterans and those serving, I'm just speaking of my particular peer group of people I know).
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Jamie, Thanks to you bud and my fellow moosers for a renewed spirit by the bright young folks that post here and give me great hope for our country. My special thanks to another young hero that I havent met yet but hope to JIMI the LTL. Thanx pard and happy B' day Marines . I really like you all...alot.
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Found this quote from the Bull Moose himself. It was quoted in the "Daily Ardmoreite", in Ardmore, OK in the Opinions' page.
I heartily agree.
"A man who is good enough to shed his blood for his country is good enough to be given a square deal afterward." -- Theodore Roosevelt, July 4, 1903
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Thanks Wayne and thanks Jamie Allman.
Wayne these fine Marines coudln't get where they were going if it weren't for you and your Navy men.! Thanks for your service and the kind words. When we do meet bud it will be a great day!(Do I hear Roger Miller singing Chug-a-Lug????)
Jamie,
I want to thank you for your dedication to the troops and there cause. From Adoptaplatoon, the USO, Operation HomeFront, all the different organizations that you assist with your booming radio station and the work you do off air.(I know you do more than we even know about)
Your son is lucky to have a father like yourself that grew those great values he has. It comes from the pride you have in your father bud.
Your values and your show and its support of our fighting men and women through the good and the bad is what keeps me tuned in daily. It wouldn't bother me one bit if you threw Pelosi and the rest of our politicians (literally) out the window and went with and all military show. (thats an idea!).
So thank you Jamie for keeping the spirit alive and well and for this great Bull Moose America, I love this place. You are appreciated Jamie.
Happy Vets day to all! Not sure what it will entail for me yet, I have tomorrow off so this may require some beer and a few good Duke war movies today. Its the simple pleasures that matter isn't it??
God Bless
LTL
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Roger Miller! I knew you were my long lost brother LT.....you may indeed hear Chug-a-Lug wafting from my open windows today since I still have my father's vinyl copy of Roger's "Dang Me" album..scratched and all..it may just be the best way to jazz up the spirit of my dear departed Dad, a proud Navy vet. Thanks LT.
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Salute:
http://yaf.org/emails/2007/video/veterans_day/index.html
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Well hell Jamie lets listen to Chug-a-Lug right here on BMA...
This is the only version I could find, its a dude that made his own video of this great tune...and I think he did a great job! I want to party with this guy...
Chug-A-Lug Bull Moose America!!
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1114470101917945480&q=chug+a+lug+roger+miller&total=10&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=0
Thanks, LTL
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Here is a great poem I found on the net... by an Angela Goodwin.
A Soldier
There is discipline in A Soldier
you can see it when he walks,
There is honor in A Soldier
you hear it when he talks.
There is courage in A Soldier
you can see it in his eyes,
There is loyalty in A Soldier
that he will not compromise.
There is something in A Soldier
that makes him stand apart,
There is strength in A Soldier
that beats from his heart.
A Soldier isn't a title any man
can be hired to do,
A Soldier is the soul of that man
buried deep inside of you.
A Soldier's job isn't finished after
an 8 hour day or a 40 hour week,
A Soldier is always A Soldier
even while he sleeps.
A Soldier serves his country first
and his life is left behind,
A Soldier has to sacrifice what
comes first in a civilian's mind.
If you are civilian -
I am saying this to you.....
next time you see A Soldier
remember what they do.
A Soldier is the reason our land
is 'Home of the free',
A Soldier is the one that is brave
protecting you and me.
If you are A Soldier -
I am saying this to you.....
Thank God for EVERY SOLDIER
Thank God for what YOU do!
By Angela Goodwin
thx LTL
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Thanks to all the soldiers, their families and my late father who put their lives on the line for this wonderful blessed country. God Bless the USA!! Jamie and Crane, keep up the fight.
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Very nicely done. Mr. Allman, LT, Wayne, Stephen....you are all to be commended on your fine additions to this very important day.
Veterans Day.
Thank God for heroes.
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CG my bretheren,
Your dad was a hero, thanks for sharing your stories with me on that..
Who would have thought with this ten years of being in a cut throat fast paced business together that we would end up being Moosers and blogging together on America Matters..
Who would have ever thought that at one time you were my boss??? Thats funny brother....especially funny because I am currently 50 miles away and you can't stomp my ass right now....
God Bless Ya Man!!
Thx LTL
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My father was in Japan after the Big Bomb Blast, during the occupation of Japan. Don't know how long he was there, it was something he didn't talk too much about. I did ask him once if he saw any action. He grinned, and said that he didn't see any combat, if that's what I was asking. lol I think he said that his main job, when he wasn't doing his duty in the kitchen as the mess sgt's assistant, he was walking guard duty. That's about all he ever said about his time in Japan. He did bring home some souvineers, however. I have often thought about taking the samuri sword that he brought home, and seeing if the handle would denote the family of whom it belonged, and then make an effort to return it to them. I'm sure that if all of us would tell some small story of our dad's or grandfather's, or uncle's duties in the Military during the past conflicts since WW-II, it would make quite a book. I recently listened to the audio version of "Flags Of Our Fathers", and I tell you of a truth, I think that the major portion of our citizens today have forgotten the price that was paid for our freedoms. Some of our elected officials have, for sure. Even some who actually SERVED in the military. Although I didn't serve, I have utmost respect for those who did. Again, many thanks, Vets...
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Thanks to all who serve this country, who risk their lives for Americas sake, who die for their fellow man. No better man than is he who would shed his blood for another.
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Has anyone here taken a good hard look at the picture Jamie posted of the old man?? The top picture???
Look at that old man's eyes... you can see his eyes lost in his memory... its a riveting picture.....
Thx LTL
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Thank you to all those who served or are serving. Thanks to my brother who served in the Navy and, later, served in Special Forces. He fought in Desert Storm (on USS Coral Sea), Op. Enduring Freedom (Special Ops), Op. Iraqi Freedom (Special Ops) as well as many other missions throughout the 80's, 90's and 2000's. He was awarded the Bronze Star for his service in Op. Enduring Freedom. He retired last year after 25 years of service to his country.
I uploaded his picture here: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v484/beegal68/Navy2.jpg
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Tracy lass, a big thanx to your brother.
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Tracy,
Your brother is a hero. That is truly fantastic! You must be very proud of him Tracy.. The Bronze Star is big time..
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bronze_Star_Medal
Thx LTL
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First, a couple of touching articles..
Gifts of Thanks to the Troops-
Members of our coalition partners' armed forces congregated in the hallway looking at the posters with wonder. They asked passersby, "American children send these to you? They are so beautiful!" Some shook their heads and confessed that they were stunned at the support we enjoy from our people back home.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/09/AR2007110901940_pf.html
A Military Mom on Veterans Day
http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=23366
No, Major Robbins, thank you for your service now.
And if I may take liberty with Shakespeare's King Henry V...
Familiar in their mouths as household words - Army and Air Force, Navy and Marines, served and serving -
Be in their flowing cups freshly rememb'red.
Their stories shall the good man teach his sons;
And liberty and freedom shall ne'er go by,
From this day to the ending of the world,
But those in it shall be remembered -
Those few, those happy few, those band of brothers;
For those that shed his blood for me
Shall be my hero; be he ne'er so vile,
This day shall gentle their condition;
And gentlefolk at home now a-bed
Shall think themselves accur'd they were not there,
and hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That fought for us upon any day.
God bless our brothers, our sons and daughters, our heroes. Thank you.
Yours humbled,
Annie
.
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I don't say this for myself or any soldier, i say this for you who read this, so you may see the world in a different light, that you may see it with precious moments you may never get back, see people as someone you may never talk to again, i say it so you hold every moment dear to your heart, be thankful for the bad so good may come of it, and thankful for the good no matter how small, i say this for those people wanting more out of life, hoping for something ,because it is out there, you just have to have the courage and desire to put a little work into it. Freedom isn't free, but neither is happiness or or a good life, it all comes at a price, just a little work and willpower and having the courage to say no to certain things. What we give up, what we really sacrifice. We give up time with our loved ones, sure. We don't have a fancy Christmas every year. But those two big things are filled, loved ones aren't next to us, but buddies are, Christmas isn't at home, but we have decorations to brighten the gloom. What does a soldier really sacrifice? What do you need to know to understand a soldier upon returning home? Understand ( not feel sorry ) that even if he faces bombs exploding next to his truck or gunfire pinging off his Humvee, that his real fear is that after a year of being gone his love doesn't need him anymore. Understand that his real fear is a newborn child not knowing who he is. That no matter how much he has to be strong, solid and perform to the best of his abilities in the line of fire to bring others home alive before himself, that his heart is a human one. Understand that in a world where loyalty, integrity, respect and values and morals aren't used anymore or have been re-defined that he lives day in and day out by these words.
Understand that no matter how much of a hero that soldier is, no matter how strong he is, and how he knows what is right and wrong....that he is human, and makes human mistakes.
There is no greater sacrifice a soldier gives than his life, and many people misunderstand that as dying. It's not only in that way a soldier gives his life. He may come home to friends that turn they're back on him, to family that may not understand what he has been through and keep their distance, or a loved on that sees him differently, and wonders "Is he one of the soldiers i read about? All while carrying the same love he has for them in his heart, as he always did. He faces a bomb and gunfire with a solid demeanor yet carries the fear of a different life back home. He faces the long deployment with laughs but fears that his baby is sick and he can't be there. He fears coming home to an empty heart where love once greeted him, to emptiness where something fulfilling once stood. He faces danger and responsibility for lives of other soldiers so they can go home safe as well. He faces all that above and he can get through it because of a simple picture of his love holding a sign saying "i love you babe". And hurts because
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He faces all that above and he can get through it because of a simple picture of his love holding a sign saying "i love you babe". And hurts because there are no words, there are no actions, that can express the strength she gave him while gone.
Understand, that although he may be different, and even with the changes, his heart still beats and loves you greater than ever before.
Understand that for a year he risks losing everything and hurting loved ones for this country's freedom and that kind of weight can make the strongest man weep, can cause the best man to crumble, and that man deserves your understanding and not your ridicule, he deserves your compassion and not your anger. that man deserves your appreciation for what he really sacrifices, those things that are not seen, or understood by those that don't hold the responsibility he does..... what he really loses when he is away from home...he loses a part of himself, his dreams and his desires, he sacrifices himself, his dreams and desires so none of you have to. And sometimes on those silent nights, when he looks back at things he's lost, and sees a society where illegal isn't quite illegal anymore, and sees God taken out of everything while sex is being put into everything, sees women treated like common whores and women not thinking there is anything wrong with it and sees kids mimicking those adults. Where people applaud promiscuity and fuck buddies, but make fun of celibacy and respect, Where a porn magazine is more likely to be picked up than a Bible....well.....pardon him if he thinks what he has lost is really worth it.
Don't thank a soldier, don't hug a soldier, just understand a soldier it means a lot more than any thanks or hugs could and live a better life so what he does give up isn't in vain.
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