Thank you for that citation on Lt Bobo.
Refused evacuation and jammed his leg into the dirt to staunch the bleeding and maintained counterfire - amazing.
It's rare when a posting moves me to tears. Thanks for the reminder.
In 1967 I left for Air Force basic training. Nearly half the men in my high school's graduating class headed off to Marine, Navy, Army and Air Force boot camps all over the country. I know that each of us held on to the fantasy of assembling them all together again one day to swap stories and lies.
The war took some and spared others of us, and the closest thing to a reunion was a casual meeting at Home Depot or the gas station. We'd greet each other warmly and them mumble in low tones about someone who never came home. We'd each want to say something important and memorable, but words fail to honor those men.
Those kids, always young and goofy and undisciplined in my memory, gave up their lives and futures for their country... for me, my parents and my children. The dork who will always be remembered for walking into 6th period Algebra with his fly open died attacking an enemy gunboat in June of 1969. The 2nd string guard on the JV basketball team, who taught me how to play chess, fell from the sky during Tet. There were other shuffling converse-wearing, marlboro-smoking teens who quickly became men and perished.
The troops in Iraq are no less brave, and war is no less tragic and absurd, but I'm old enough to know that wishing there were no wars does not prevent them. And screaming that war is wrong does not prevent injustice or thwart bullies and murderers. Thank God for the heroes. Thank God that, so often, this nation has been heroic. Thank God for the young men who are willing to die to protect freedom in a world of chaos. Here come the tears again. They are the same tears I shed when I salute the flag on Memorial Day.
Thanks, Nick. Thanks for everything. You're a great American.
Super, super comment. Thank you for giving us a glimpse of your life. I can see the guys.
Have a great Memorial Day.
And GunTrash, glad you enjoyed it. It is pretty amazing.
That is one of the best posts from the heart of a warrior I have ever read. Truly to the heart of what this holiday is for. Why we are where we are, and why we live like we live.
God Speed America, God Speed.
Semper Fi
Rest in peace brothers, All was not in Vain for we will always remember and show you the honor you earned
Excellent.
I recall a letter to the editor a decade ago about a previous president ducking outa Vietnam: "We left better men behind"
Of course, they weren't left behind, but they died serving the nation before their 25th birthdays -- before they could run even for Congress
Wow! What a man. I often think of the quote: "Where do we find men such as these?"
The point on his class standing is an important lesson for all. What do they call last place in medical school: "Doctor." Anecdotally, in the mid-80's we had a young Ensign who was full of himself and would tell anyone who'd listen that he finished first in his class. Well, it turned out our XO had been the anchor man of his class at the Naval Academy. Made for a good conversation. The Ensign learned to keep his mouth shut about what he had done in the past and to concentrate on what he was doing for the Navy in the present.
DC, Nickie, thank you.
DC, terrific post. Thanks!
DC, your ability to articulate will never cease to amaze me. I remember you bringing the book of MoH winners to the retreat a couple of years ago. Don't remember if this is the one you read, but it makes me proud to know you and other veterans like you.
Thanks for sharing that and working to keep America strong.
KHix
KHix,
Indeed, bro ... it is. Thanks for your kind comments. You, as the Conscience of the Blog, are a constanct source of encouragement for me.
Thanks to you all for the kind words, to blog friends new and old. Re: words about the sacrifices that we remember this weekend, they are so inadequate really.
But they are all we have to let others know and to pass on the memories.
So every one ... build some memories this weekend. Pass it on.
My words seem so small next to that post. Thank you for so eloquently expressing what I feel.
DC,
As I watched you deliver that message yesterday, I could tell you were moved even all these years later by Lt. Bobo. As we all should be. You did a great job.
DC, I salute you and it humbling to know an American such as you.
KHix
When you get a chance, tell us about the day.
Inspiring post, DC.
I thank you for it. And from the bottom of my heart, I thank you for avoiding the temptation to twist it into a stab at the left.
Valor stands alone. I can now think you understand that. Honor, merit, and sacrifice know no ideology, do they?
God bless all, the living and the dead, on this Memorial Day.
PW,
Thanks for the kind words. The only ideology involved here is ... on Memorial Day, we are all Americans. That is good enough for me.
And Nick, I will perhaps put something together about Sunday.
And KHix, cut it out, bro'. You are the bomb, man. You and your family are the heartbeat of America.
I went through Boot Camp with one of the fifteen that died on that hill. Some time before that fight I was returning to my unit from a stint of hospital stay. Malaria, not wounds, and had the chance to visit him. The hitching rides on trucks, Herkybirds and helos landed me on their FB. I met a goofy young butterbar, his LT, who made no impression at all. You just never know.
Wow, Pete. Thanks for dropping in. That is a great point. Sometimes it is hard to tell. It was hard even for the USMC to tell with Lt. Bobo, obviously.
Think about his staff at TBS that almost ... but did not ... give up on him. That's an interesting story, too.
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