Mustang,

The one consistent message I got from my horribly mis-matched parents was a love of country and respect for the people that keep it intact. Even though I'm a mere squid, I would be proud to call you a brother-in-arms.

I have met far too many of those folks you mentioned that say, "I didn't ask them to do it." But my experience has been far worse most of the time. If you bring up the sacrifice, they will say, "It's not my fault they were idiots." Back in the USSR days I would get some variation on the "Better Red than dead" theme.

I believe that our nation's armed forces, law enforcement agencies, and intelligence services all find themselves in an analogous position to the one that Howard Roark found himself in, in Rand's "Fountainhead".

I remember it well, if not verbatim, when the stunned Howard Roark finally realizes the pathetic and parasitic nature of his adversaries and say, "My only regret is that in order to save myself, I'll have to save you as well."

I think the peaceniks should be required to live in an active war zone.
Memo Writer | Homepage | 11.10.07 - 1:10 pm | #

M —

Interservice rivalry has always been an interesting phenomenon to me. Jarheads always poised to attack the squids and vice-versa, but watch out for the doggies who try to pick on squids in the presence of Jarheads. As I recall, the Air Force was always “in season” by everyone. Ah, what fun times they were. I feel privileged to regard my brothers in the Sea Service as comrades-in-arms (even if they do have a penchant for dropping Marines off on a hostile beach, and then leaving us there).

Years ago, my best neighbor was a retired Chief who served in World War II in u-boats; I never (before or since) met anyone who could fix more stuff than he could. He was a freaking engineering genius. One night we were sitting on my patio drinking beer (it has the three main food groups: hops, barley, malt) and he was telling sea stories from World War II. I never before imagined how many sailors of the submarine service just simply disappeared beneath the waves, and you know — we don’t hear enough about those stalwart warriors.

So on this Veterans’ Day (2007), I extend to you my deep felt appreciation for serving your country in the GREATEST Navy in the world; and it would be MY honor to serve with you, any place, any where, any time.

Semper Fi,
Mustang | Homepage | 11.10.07 - 3:56 pm | #

Thank you for your service.

-FJ (USNR)
Farmer John | Homepage | 11.10.07 - 4:37 pm | #

And thank you, Farmer John. Non sibi sed patriae.
Mustang | Homepage | 11.10.07 - 5:21 pm | #