Memorial Day

Posted By Laughing_Wolf • [May 27, 2012]

Repost from 2010, with additions from a speech I gave last year. 

He scarce had need to doff his pride or slough the dross of Earth -- E'en as he trod that day to God so walked he from his birth, In simpleness and gentleness and honor and clean mirth.

So cup to lip in fellowship they gave him welcome high And made place at the banquet board -- the Strong Men ranged thereby, Who had done his work and held his peace and had no fear to die.

Rudyard Kipling

Today, we as a nation (and hopefully as individuals) honor those who gave all of their tomorrows so we could have this day.  As you travel, enjoy food and drink, or do some activity:  they gave their life so you could do those things.

They have paid the price for you to have this day.  The least we can do is remember them, on this their day.  Think of them, give thanks for what they did, and acknowledge that price paid.

Today, I will take the time to honor them as a group, and to remember some individuals.  I will remember Major Mathew Schram, whom I never met, just as I will remember my Uncle Foster who's body lies somewhere just off Japan.  I will remember Andy Olmstead. I will remember the men who paid the blood price for COP Ellis to be built, and helped usher the Anbar Awakening into Baghdad.  I will remember the men of 1st Platoon, Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division.  The latter groups were major parts of why I did my two embeds.  I never met them in life, but they have shaped who I am today.

I will remember Lance Cpl. Jeremy W. Burris, I man I can't say I truly met, for a nod, a hi, and a brief ID do not constitute truly meeting someone.  What I can say is that I know that which is best in you, for no greater love hath any man.  You died doing for your brothers, and I remember that this day. 

Recently, a few of us have been talking about a phrase that can quickly (for some of us) put teeth on edge:  "Happy Memorial Day"  The phrase strikes me as at best odd, and for far too many an indicator of a lack of knowledge about the day.  Trust Chuck to put things in perspective.  With his permission, I quote a part of a speech he is giving today:

Many of our fellow citizens have no understanding of the difference between Veterans Day and Memorial Day, other than it means a long weekend.  Many people, especially those with no connection to the military, often confuse the two, citing Memorial Day as a day to thank those serving the nation in uniform.   Recently, a friend of mine commented that “Memorial Day is meant to pay homage to those who gave their lives for this country and our way of life. It is a day to honor the dead.  There is NO such thing as “Happy Memorial Day.”

Respectfully, I disagree, in part, anyway.

Memorial Day is a happy yet solemn, joyful yet tearful, partly sunny yet mostly cloudy kind of day.

We are living the days these men and women never will.  Live them well, be happy, and enjoy the blessings of liberty their service and sacrifice have bought.  Although we take pause today to remember their absence, we must also take this day to celebrate the very liberty they have secured.

Memorial Day should be a "happy" day, the same as Easter.  We remember the sacrifice, and the cost, yet we rejoice in the promise of chocolate rabbits, only six more weeks till spring (if Christ came out of the tomb and saw his shadow) and painted eggs, god-awfully early church services, plastic grass, and kids on a blood-sugar bender.  We remember the sacrifice, and the cost, of the loss of friends and family on this day.  I remember Josh wearing a cape and boxer shorts and little else, standing in the Kuwaiti desert and saluting passing vehicles.  I remember sharing stories and fixing the world’s problems over barbeque and beer with Dan.  I remember Gary creatively counseling another lieutenant who just refused to “get it.”  I remember these men fondly, and am thankful to wear the same uniform, to serve the same nation, and to carry forward where they cannot.

Dan, Josh, and Gary can't spend this day, or any other day with their families, or among us, and we are a poorer nation because of that.  I miss them, but today I pay special attention to their absence, and jealously guard my time with my family.  We will have a happy day, because my friends, my mentors, my brothers have already paid for it, in advance, with interest.

I do not mean to suggest that it is proper to tell a recent widow to have a “Happy” Memorial Day.  I know the families of the fallen, and especially the recently fallen, spend this day in grief, but they spend this day remembering none the less.  They will, in time, first recall the good things, the joys and happiness, the special days; and will lock away the days which hurt the most.  These families, these survivors, have something their warriors no longer have… time.  They have time to grieve, time to mourn, and time to heal.  They will, soon enough, spend their memorial days at family barbeques, pool openings, amusement parks, and all manner of fun and happy occasions.

On Memorial Day, these families, mine and hopefully yours, will also pause to remember all of the joyful times we spent with those who have stood their final muster, and then we too, will go on living, and have a happy Memorial Day.

To the God in Man displayed -- Where'er we see that Birth, Be love and understanding paid As never yet on earth!

To the Spirit that moves in Man,
On Whom all worlds depend,
Be Glory since our world began
And service to the end!

Final stanzas, The Choice, Rudyard Kipling

 

From a speech in 2011:

On this day of memory, I want to introduce you to some of the most recent, who have special meaning to me.

Major Mathew Schram gave his life this day in 2003.  He was the colleague and friend of someone I give thanks to be able to call friend.  On this day, he led a convoy in Iraq and when it came under attack, he and his driver personally counterattacked to a plan they had worked out in advance.  Their action caused the enemy to flee; however, Major Schram was killed in the process.  It is worth noting that aside from him, no one else died because of his plan and prompt action.  Two other soldiers were wounded, one of whom, his driver, continued the mission.  It is also well worth noting that the convoy was being followed by a vehicle with a reporter for a major weekly magazine.  When the ambush broke, they turned to flee and did so – something that would not have been possible if not for Major Schram’s action and sacrifice.  It is also worth noting that the reporter and magazine never reported on this, as it wasn’t news that a good and better man died to save his life.  From all I have heard of Mat Schram, I do wish I could have met him and known him.  I remember him this day. 

Specialist Marieo Guerrero, Captain Anthony Palermo, Private First Class Damian Lopez, and Specialist Ryan Dallam died in 2007 in West Rasheed, Iraq.  They were part of the catalyst for my first embed to Iraq, and also the reason that Combat Outpost Ellis became the lynchpin for bringing the Anbar Awakening into the area southwest of Baghdad – and into Baghdad itself.  Their colleagues and friends shared some of their stories with me, and I wish I could do more to bring them to life for you this day.  Captain Palermo inspired the men who served under him, including those that stepped up when he fell to enemy action.  The stories I heard of all these men brought forth smiles, laughter, and some tears.  Specialist Guerrero died in March, and the rest on one dark day in April to a massive IED. 

Lance Corporal Jeremy W. Burris is someone I particularly want to remember this day.  His story, to my mind, exemplifies the special people we are here to remember.  I can’t say I knew him, for I met him only in passing out at Al Qa’im on the Syrian border.  Like most Marines I’ve met, he was full of – life. 

He was one of a small horde of Marines to whom I was introduced in a blur of faces and names.  He went out on a patrol, one on which I wanted to go on but couldn’t.  While out, his vehicle was hit by an IED.  Like any good Marine, he responded and got his buddies out to safety.  There, he treated them for their injuries.  Realizing that there were items in the vehicle that would make his brothers more comfortable and otherwise help, he went back.  It was then that the second IED was detonated. 

Afterwards, I learned more about him, those things I did not get a chance to learn from him. He had a love of music, an appreciation of the opposite sex, drive, and energy.  He was in many ways, a very typical young man, who very atypically volunteered to serve his country in time of war.  He, like all who currently serve, knew what they were doing, knew the risks, and still stepped forward and chose to join.  I think of him often, and am glad I can share that very small bit of him I have learned with you this day. 

Today is a day of remembrance.  It is a day to honor those that paid the ultimate price for our freedom.  It is a day to give most profound thanks to whatever God you worship, that such have walked and do walk among us and, stepped up to the call. 

They are our parents, our children, our husbands, our wives, our friends.  They fight for us this day, as generations before did for them.  Next year, we will have more to remember, but we should not remember in sorrow, but with pride, thanks, and appreciation for them and for their sacrifice.  One they have chosen to make, by knowingly volunteering in time of war, and we should do nothing to belittle that choice and the costly gift they have willingly laid on the altar of freedom.

No, this is not a day of sales, vacations, and parties.  That said, in my far to brief journeys with them, I have met none that would find it wrong to be remembered in the happy setting of a barbecue or cook out.  In fact, many of them would appreciate it, for they would know that you have the freedom to choose what to eat, when to eat, and to live your lives with liberty because of them and their sacrifice.  So, eat a bite of good food for them, and raise a toast to them with your libation of choice. 

Let us remember them, and give thanks for them, this day.

LW

Memorial Day 2012

Posted By McQ • [May 26, 2012]

The image referred too by LW is indeed iconic, but at least to me, none portrays the true meaning of Memorial Day like the following image.  I’m not trying to engage in dueling images, it’s just this one means so much to me.   I posted it last year, and I’ll probably post it every year I draw breath.  It best encapsulates the day’s meaning for me.

Freedom isn’t free.  And it doesn’t come without a horrendous cost.  God bless the fallen.  And God comfort their families.

[In memory of SP4 Stuart Lee Barnett, KIA 8/26/70, Republic of Vietnam]

~McQ

Twitter: @McQandO

A Single Image

Posted By Laughing_Wolf • [May 26, 2012]

Today, take a moment to read a good post, view an iconic photo -- and share it far and wide.  If you want to remind people what Memorial Day is all about, all you have to do is show them this particular photo.  To my mind, no single image captures what lies behind the day better. 

We have today, because they gave their tomorrows. 

LW

Ensuring Our Future By the Sacrifice of Their Tomorrows

Posted By Blackfive • [May 25, 2012]

On Memorial Day, nine years ago, my friend, Major Mathew Schram, counter-attacked sixteen Iraqi insurgents who tried to kill everyone in Major Schram’s convoy.  Mat rushed up into the ambushers, fighting back and calling for help.
 
Mat died fighting, but not before he did what he set out to do – disrupt the ambush and save his soldiers.

Mat always did everything the right way.  As a brother-in-arms and a competitive peer, I wanted to hate that about him.  But after getting to know Mat, you couldn’t help but like him. 

Everyone did.
 
Mat would never let anyone down. On the last day of his life, he saved everyone but himself.  While shocked and sorrowful at the news of his death, not one of Mat’s friends were surprised that, even in dying, Mat succeeded.

On this Memorial Day, nine years later, while it’s true that I’ll be surrounded by many who won’t appreciate Mat’s sacrifice, there are those that do.  Gold Star families - the parents and families of those who gave all also sacrificed for our country in a tremendous way. To lose a son or daughter, a mother or father, a sister or brother, is a loss so great that no words exist to ease the grief and anguish they feel. To all the Gold Star parents, spouses, and family members “May God Bless You!”
 
Thinking about Mat Schram, I know that he would have been a great husband and father.  Every day, I know that he would have been a better father than me.  And most days, I try to live up to his sacrifice.

On Memorial Day, when not grilling bratwurst or watching a parade, I’ll be making my daughter laugh with my antics on horseback and I’ll be encouraging my son at his swim meet.  Being a good “daddy” is the best way that I know to honor all of my friends who’ve given their lives in our defense.  That’s the best way to honor the sacrifice of so many for our freedom – ensuring that our future is worthy of the sacrifice of their tomorrows.

I know that’s what my friend Mat would have wanted me to do. 

I miss him.

TAPS by the U.S. Navy Band

Posted By Blackfive • [May 25, 2012]

Twenty-four notes. It's a simple melody, 150 years old, that can express our gratitude when words fail. Taps honors the men and women who have laid down their lives and paid the ultimate sacrifice for the cause of freedom. Fair winds and following seas, shipmates.

NRA's Life of Duty: Respect for the Fallen

Posted By Blackfive • [May 25, 2012]

The NRA's Life of Duty has put together this video about the process of notification and the good folks who help and protect our Gold Star families - The Patriot Guard Riders.

Oh, FYI:  HANKY ALERT!

Attack on David Bellavia and a veterans charity

Posted By Uncle Jimbo • [May 25, 2012]

Politics can be pretty disgusting on a good day, but this is a new low. My good friend, combat veteran and legitimate American hero David Bellavia is running for Congress in NY's 27th District. He would be an Allen West-ian breath of fresh air in the House and God-willing and the creek don't rise we will see him there. He is running against a rich guy (and kicking his ass) who is willing to throw money and now disgraceful allegations at David and a charity that we both helped found, the Warrior Legacy Foundation (WLF). There have been claims made by proxies and political tools of David's opponent Chris Collins that WLF is a scam designed to line David's pockets and defraud donors.

He raises money from those sympathetic to veterans to pay himself for the privilege to run for office and this year it’s the 27th District.

David's answer is here.

I was not surprised to read an attack on me in a letter written by an active member of the Clarence Town Republican Committee. Clarence is my opponent Chris Collins’ hometown; the Committee is his home political organization. However, I am deeply disappointed to see that the Collins machine’s negative assault on me has already begun.

It is disgusting that my hard work on behalf of my brothers and sisters in arms, the military veterans of this country, would be the target of a cheap political attack to further Chris Collins’ candidacy. I find it deplorable and unworthy of any further response.

My answer is right here.

These allegations are complete, unmitigated BS and the WLF never paid David Bellavia a dime in salary or for his personal expenses. As a matter of fact the has traveled extensively and volunteered huge amounts of his time for the organization and the veterans we help. WLF has a grand total of zero paid staffers and all the money goes to help wounded veterans w/ a tiny amount of unavoidable overhead. There will be an official response from WLF saying the same forthcoming. For the record, this is the kind of stuff WLF supports.

So now right before Memorial Day, when we honor those who have given their lives, we get sleazy, false, unfounded slime thrown at a group of veterans who are helping other vets. The question becomes what type of person is doing the sliming? David's opponent Chris Collins was born in 1950 making him 18 years old in 1968. I know where my Dad was in 1968, he was with the 11th Armored Cav in Vietnam serving his second combat tour. Where was Chris Collins? Avoiding service with student deferments? Hanging out at the frat house? Not inhaling w/ Bill Clinton? Inquiring minds want to know sir. Where he was not is in uniform serving his country. But that certainly didn't stop him from cutting in front of a group of veterans in a 4th of July parade last year. There is no requirement for anyone to serve now and plenty of folks took deferments during Vietnam. But if you are going to attack those who raised their right hands and put their lives on the line you ought have some better answers, and to be perfectly frank some respect.

I wholeheartedly and proudly endorse David Bellavia for Congress and look forward to seeing him kicking ass and taking names in DC next January. As does Bev Perlson of Band of Mothers who adds this

Shame on Chris Collins! How dare he attack a Brave Warrior such as David Bellavia, who literally engaged in hand to hand combat with this brutal enemy that our noble Warriors continue to fight! I know David personally and I am very familiar with all the good work of Warrior Legacy Foundation! It is an honor to be able to say that and I am betting this Collins character wouldn't know what honor is if it slapped him across the face, which is what this mother would like to do! Please support David Bellavia in his run for Congress. It is Warriors like David that will save this great republic of ours! He is a Brave and Noble Warrior and Chris Collins isn't good enough to clean the bottom of his battle worn boots!

-Beverly Perlson The Band of Mothers

Honor Flight documentary

Posted By Uncle Jimbo • [May 25, 2012]

Honor Flight is a tremendous group that brings WWII vets to the memorial in DC that honors their service. Watch this trailer for a documentary coming out August 11 about the group and the service they do to those who served all of us.

Memorial Day

Posted By Blackfive • [May 24, 2012]

"Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, in order to assure the survival and the success of liberty..." - President John F. Kennedy, Inaugural Address, Friday, January 20th, 1961

This weekend is about honoring those who paid that price...

TSO/Mothax Afghanistan Video

Posted By Blackfive • [May 24, 2012]

The American Legion's Burn Pit sent Mothax back to Afghanistan to embed with A Co 3-66 AR. Here is a video that gives you a bit of a taste of his trip.

A preview of his American Legion magazine cover story is here at the Farm Team's place.

Paratrooper Overwatch II

Posted By Blackfive • [May 24, 2012]

A U.S. Army paratrooper provides overwatch security to fellow paratroopers and Afghan soldiers after a firefight in Afghanistan's Ghazni province, May 17, 2012. The paratrooper is assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division’s 1st Brigade Combat Team. Insurgents use the agricultural areas surrounding Combat Outpost Giro for various activities. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Michael J. MacLeod

The Gates of Heaven

Posted By Blackfive • [May 24, 2012]

What is Memorial Day really about?  While we are busy gearing up for the weekend, I thought I should post this annual reminder about the holiday.  It may surprise some of you.

If you are relatively new to Blackfive, you should read this story about a Memorial Day NINE years ago - Mathew Schram's Memorial Day.  And, unfortunately, we've posted many memorials to our Fallen Americans.

The words to "Taps" are:

Day Is Done,
Gone the Sun,
From the Earth,
From the Hill,
From the Sky,
All Is Well,
Safely Rest,
God Is Nigh

When Taps is played at dusk, it has a completely different meaning than when Taps is played during the day.  No soldier really wants to hear it played during daylight.  For when the bugle plays Taps in the daylight...that means a soldier has fallen...There is a belief among some that Taps is the clarion call to open the gates of heaven for the fallen warrior and letting them know to "Safely Rest"...

Of course, Memorial Day is about remembering the sacrifices that our military men and women have made over the last 236 years.    We are still a young nation, but one that has made many sacrifices to remain free.  We should also take time to remember the families who have lost loved ones.

We have focused on just a few of the fallen over the last few years.  I've lost good friends during the War on Terror.  And I write about the others to ensure that we don't forget their sacrifices - I do that for me as much as for anybody.

I can't speak for the friends of the many others who have fallen, but for Mat, Cooter, and Mikey, I can say this:

It is important to remember them, and it is just as important to enjoy yourself this weekend.  To spend time with your family and friends.  Have a beer while grilling Wisconsin brats (Schram-bo!) in the backyard while watching your kids play tag. 

What better assurance to them that they did not die in vain?

Enjoying your freedom and understanding it's value is the best way to honor the sacrifices of my friends.

That's the way they'd want you to spend Memorial Day. 

Remembering them, and being a good friend, father, and an American is the best way that I can honor their memory.

I'll close with this heartfelt letter, written by Rick Kennedy, that I received via thelate and great Corporal Seamus about Taylor Prazynski - a Marine who was buried at Arlington seven years ago.

On Saturday morning May 21st I flew to Washington, D.C to meet my daughter Mary with grandchildren Calista and Lindsey, and her husband Joe Teller to drive with them to Chesterfield Virginia to attend a ballet recital for Callie that evening. Joe and Mary were in Washington for the burial services of Lance Corporal Taylor Prazynski USMC the 20 year old son of Joe’s cousin John Prazynski. Taylor was killed by enemy fire in Fallujah on May 9th while serving in combat with the 3rd Battalion, 8th Regiment, and 2nd Marine Division. Mary and Joe, along with 50 other family members attended the burial service for Taylor on Friday at Arlington National Cemetery, and when I met them they remained emotionally overwhelmed and forever moved by the elegant display of military reverence, and efficiency at Arlington. They were deeply saddened by the loss of this young Marine.

Earlier in the week Taylor’s body arrived at the Greater Cincinnati Airport by commercial jet. All passengers were instructed to remain on the plane until Taylor’s body was removed by a contingent of Marines. A military helicopter followed the Marine vehicle as it motored to the funeral parlor. Police and fire trucks were stationed at the overpasses and along the highway and saluted at Taylor passed by. At the funeral parlor no civilian was allowed to touch the body. The Marines prepared the deceased...A Marine color guard followed by a rider less horse accompanied Taylor’s body down Ohio Highway 4 for funeral services at Fairfield High School gym. Over 1500 people were in attendance of the funeral service at the school where the young Marine graduated in 2003, and played football and ran track. Pastor Dave Workman of the Vineyard Community Church presided. He gave a sterling tribute to this fallen hero that gave his life to his country. The pastor praised Taylor for his work with the church’s youth group, and his volunteer work with a multiple-disabilities class while in high school.

At Arlington on May 20th, the seven pall bearers dressed resplendent in the Marine dress blues uniform marched with the flag draped casket with military precision. When they reached the gravesite they abruptly raised the casket above their shoulders for 30 long seconds, giving the fallen Marine salute, and then rested the casket on its conveyor belt support over the grave. The military chaplain in civilian clothes gave the last rites, and presented the family Taylor’s posthumously awarded Purple Heart Medal.

All seven Marines removed the American Flag from the casket. They raised the stars and stripes above the casket pulling the flag rigid like a drum. Then they tightly folded the flag step by step in a triangle with the ends tucked firmly in place. One of the Marines did an about face and presented the flag to the Marine Sergeant standing alone to the rear of the casket, and saluted the flag.. The Marine in charge carrying the flag proceeded to the seat of the father John Prazynski. The Marine knelt down and bowed his head and presented the flag to the grieving father as the final gesture of sympathy and appreciation by the United States Marine Corps for the brave service of this young Marine.

Seven Marines standing away from the proceedings fired their rifles in three volleys representing a 21 gun salute, and you could hear muffled screams of sorrow from the youth in attendance as a lone bugler in Marine dress blues played the sad haunting sound of “Taps’ that echoed across the green rolling plains of Arlington on to the endless stream of white stones in this section called” Iraqi Freedom”. This was the Marines way of sending a signal to God to open the gates of Heaven for the arrival of [Corporal] Prazynski who gave his life for his country and our fight against terror throughout the world.

Soldiers' Angels Germany reminds us of some ways to honor them.

And have a great Memorial Day.

Remember Them.

ADM McRaven on MISO

Posted By Grim • [May 23, 2012]

Admiral McRaven addressed Congress to speak to growing Congressional concern about the money being spent on military information support operations (MISO), formerly known as psychological operations (PSYOP).  

The article says that critics of MISO have charged that DOD has done "a poor job of quantifying results," but if anything MISO tends to err in the other direction.  The MISO process includes a mandate to design measures of performance (MOP) and measures of effectiveness (MOE) alongside every product, and in the final stage -- stage VII -- there is an evaluation process that is heavy on quantifying the pre-agreed MOE/MOP.  Products are sometimes subject to focus groups and other similar tests, providing a great deal of quantificational data.  I would say that the focus on MOE may even be a little too strong, although one reason that there is such a strong focus is that MISO/PSYOP have always been subject to complaints of this type.  They are very keen on demonstrating that their products do have an observable, achieved effect.

I don't know anything about Leonie, and I've never worked with them or their people, but I know quite a bit about how these programs worked in Iraq.  We used them for a lot of different purposes.  Admiral McRaven mentions the operations that were used to instruct Iraqi troops in how to surrender at the start of the war.  We used leaflets to explain to pilgrims heading to Najaf and Karbala what the warning signs were for a suicide bomber, or that a vehicle was likely to be an IED.  We put photos of criminals with big rewards on leaflets and then heavily distributed them in areas as a kind of nonlethal terrain denial -- even if you were pretty sure that the neighborhood supported you, you'd have to be more cautious in moving around with all those reward posters. 

We used them to explain what we were doing and why we were doing it, so that the population would understand a little more and fear a little less.  We used them to help cut down on the risks to civilians, as by warning them not to let their children approach our convoys to avoid them being caught by bombs meant for us.  We used them to mark the points of origin for incoming fire, so that civilians in the area would know not to hang around there lest they risk counterfires.  We helped them understand what was coming down the road in terms of how the process of rebuilding was going, and how they could take advantage of the work our Civil Affairs teams and our embedded Provincial Reconstruction Teams were doing.  

We also let them know how they could warn us about insurgents in the area.  Our Tactical PSYOP Teams would meet with people face to face, all through the district, to talk with them and come to understand how they were feeling and what their concerns were.  

Admiral McRaven points out that MISO is "about the truth.  It's about putting the truth out there."  All of those things mentioned above were about the truth.  

Nevertheless, there are some forms of deception operations that -- under tight controls -- do occur.  The most famous one is probably Operation Fortitude of WWII.  Still, the things that Congress is worried about are not deception operations at all -- they are operations that are truthful in nature.  The information provided is accurate (at least, the unit creating the products believes the information is accurate -- fog of war, and all that).  

This is a very important set of skills that is crucial especially to counterinsurgency warfare.  Congress has a legitimate oversight role here, but I hope they will take the admiral's advice with great seriousness.  He is exactly right on this subject.  As long as we are still fighting in Afghanistan, we need to ensure that there is adequate support to MISO.

Free Speech Blogburst

Posted By Laughing_Wolf • [May 23, 2012]

This is a Team Blackfive post.

There is no one at this blog who has not sworn to defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign or domestic. Several have literally provided blood, sweat, and tears to that oath, and to protect rights inlcuding the right to free speech. Several here have been threatened and/or dealt with security issues related to upholding that oath and participation at this site.

Today, several bloggers face threats, threats that have caused them to take security measures up to and including moving to keep their families safe.  You need to learn about Brett Kemberlin, what he was convicted of doing, what is being done, and who is funding it.  The best places to start are at Michelle Malkin, Instapundit, Ace, Day-by-Day, and Jawa.

Team Blackfive stands in solidarity with them, and is glad to join the blogburst to shine some light where it is clearly needed.  Free speech is never truly free -- it is only free because good people stand up no matter the threat to make it so.  Team Blackfive stands, do you?

Impressions of my time among heroes

Posted By McQ • [May 23, 2012]

I'm not really one of those people who go to events like Salute Our Troops in Las Vegas and spends his time trying to get interviews.  It's not that there's anything wrong with that, it just isn't my style.  Maybe it should be if I ever want to go anywhere doing this, but its not what I'm comfortable with.

I'm more of an observer.  A listener.  Oh I talk and laugh and exchange small talk, but for the most part I'm one who likes to sit back and watch the interaction of a group, see what they're all about and then relate my impressions in writing.

That's not always as easy as I'd like it to be, but it works for me.

The 3 days and nights I spent in Las Vegas at the Palazzo hotel with our wounded warriors was probably one of the more inspiring and satisfying times I've spent in a long time.  From the moment I watched them walk into the hotel until I watched them leave 3 days later, I was on a bit of an emotional rollercoaster.

Pride was a dominant emotion.  I was extraordinarily proud of how they conducted themselves.  The event was very emotional for them as well.  You could see the trepidation in their faces when they first got off the busses on day one.  A perfectly human reaction.  But as they moved through the welcoming crowd, you could see the unease disappear and the wonderful emotion of the moment begin to take hold.

The genuineness of the welcome made the whole experience resonate with the warriors.  Remarkably it remained a constant through out the entire visit.  It was real.  Tangible.  The thanks rendered wasn't perfunctory or pro forma, it was heartfelt and always present.

As I watched the wounded warriors begin to interact with the crowd, I knew they felt it too.  I wasn't just proud of the warriors,  I was equally as proud of the crowd.

Over the next few days, as I got to know the personalities within the group, certain things became obvious to me that might have been missed by those who didn't have the opportunity to spend the time I had with them.

Brotherhood.  In this case it's a generic term that includes the wounded women as well.  This small group was a brotherhood who in so many subtle and unthinking ways took care of each other the entire time they were there.  It wasn't a duty.  It wasn't something they had to do.  It was what they did. It is who they are.  They had a shared experience and shared sacrifice that made them unique. But they also had an entirely human desire to ensure those they had shared that experience with were well taken care of.   Nothing was too much for their friend or comrade.

Families.  Families by marriage.  Families by service.  Family by experience.  One of the extraordinary things about wounded warriors is they belong to many families and all of them were evident in Las Vegas.  All of them were at work as well.  It was gratifying to see but not unexpected.  Marines checking on other Marines.   A wife taking care of her wounded husband.  One wounded warrior watching out for another.

Normalcy.  One of the more poignant moments for me was overhearing two chaperones talk about a request by one of the wounded.  Each of the warriors and their guests had been given a blue t-shirt identifying them as a part of the Salute Our Troops group.  One of the wounded had asked if they had to wear them all the time or might take them off.  The chaperone relaying the request said, "they just want to be normal, to blend in, to be part of the crowd.  They don't want to stand out".  I found that request to be incredibly endearing.  They just wanted to again, as much as possible, be normal.

As I watched these young warriors interact with others, another impression hit me - quiet dignity.  It was how they handled themselves.  Their humbleness.  Their gratefulness for what the Armed Forces Foundation, Sheldon Adelson and all the other sponsors were doing for them.  None of them took it as their due.  None thought they were owed this.  All of them showed and expressed their appreciation throughout the week in countless ways.

Humor.  As you might expect there was plenty of that.  Self-deprecating humor.  Ribald humor.  Ragging.  Among military folks nothing is sacred and lord help you if you start feeling sorry for yourself.  These men and women kept each other up, took and delivered shots with the best of them and acted like every Soldier and Marine you've ever known.  It brought back fond memories of times gone by for me.

Humor was their currency.  The night of the Blue Man Group show is a great example.   During their show the 3 Blue Men walk through the audience literally moving from arm rest to arm rest as they advance row by row through the theater.  At intervals they'll pause, stare, pick something up from the audience, hold it up and examine it.  When they got to our group one of the guys handed a Blue Man his prosthetic leg.  The place went wild.  It couldn't have been more perfect.

But the reality of what these fine warriors face never quite left me.  I couldn't forget it.  There was a young Marine  who had lost his right leg and wore a prosthesis.  He may have been 5' 4" if you're being kind, and maybe weighed 100 pounds with rocks in his pocket.  He was an infantryman. He tried to bluff his way into a club that night but he wasn't old enough to get in (not to worry, being a good Marine, he did a recon, gathered intel and got in the next night).

For whatever reason that incident struck me hard.  He had lost a leg in combat in  service to his country before he was old enough to buy a drink legally.  Next year he'll be legal but he'll also be medically retired from the Marine Corps.  At 21.

When I was at Brooke this past year with Cooking with the Troops, I remember one of the people who worked there standing next to me as we watched the wounded moving through the serving line.  He said, "what you have to realize is not one of these young warriors you see are working on their "plan A" anymore."  That made an impression on me. 

You have to imagine yourself in that situation and wonder how you would have coped with having to come up with a "plan B" at such a young age.   All the hopes and dreams you might have harbored about a certain way of life are now radically and totally changed forever.

Yet even understanding that, the most important message I gathered from all of them is they aren't victims.  And please don't treat them like they are.   They're proud of what they did, what they suffered, even what they've sacrificed.  They may not like what happened, but they accept it.  They understand that what happened to them was a part of the risk of the service they willingly undertook.  They knew and understood that risk and yet they volunteered anyway.  And since they've been wounded, they've been dealing with the aftermath .  But as one amputee told me, "yeah, this happened to me, but others gave their all".   Context. Clarity. Strength.

Not one of them was asking for sympathy, just understanding.  These were Soldiers and Marines.  They are used to adapting and overcoming.  And while they still have much to endure, and many low points to weather,  there was no question that the spirit was willing. 

As one of the chaperones at the event said as we were quietly sharing a drink and watching the group finish a wonderful dinner, "you don't have to worry about the next generation and  the future of our country.  These guys are that future and the future is bright".

I've thought about that a lot since he said that. He's right. They are our next "greatest generation".  They stood up.  They answered the call and I've come to firmly believe that the strength of our nation is to be found in those who serve.   If what I saw in Las Vegas is any indication, the future is indeed bright.  If nothing else, my time with our wounded heroes made that point crystal clear to me.

~McQ

Twitter: @McQandO