Marines are different

Posted By Blackfive

The email below is from USAF Colonel Brett Wyrick who is the commander of the 154th Medical Group, Hawaii Air National Guard, and is serving as a surgeon in Balad with the 332nd Expeditionary Medical Group. Col. Wyrick had been sending his father, a Vietnam-era fighter pilot, emails about his experiences in Iraq:

Dear Dad,
 
 If I ever hear airmen griping and complaining, I jump into them pretty quickly, now. Most people over here have nothing to gripe about compared to Marines. Marines are different. They have a different outlook on life.
 
 One Marine Private was here for several days because he was a lower priority evacuation patient. He insisted on coming to attention and displaying proper military courtesy every morning when I came through on rounds. He was in a great deal of pain, and it was a stressful to watch him work his way off the bed and onto his crutches. I told him he was excused and did not have to come to attention while he was a patient,and he informed me that he was a good Marine and would address "Air Force Colonels standing on my feet, Sir." I had to turn away so he would not see the tear in my eye. He did not have "feet" because we amputated his right leg below the knee on the first night he came in.
 
 I asked a Marine Lance Corporal if there was anything I could get him asI was making rounds one morning. He was an above the knee amputation after an IED blast, and he surprised me when he asked for a trigonometry book. "You enjoy math do you?"
 
 He replied, "Not particularly, Sir. I was never good at it, but I need to get good at it, now."
 
 "Are you planning on going back to school?" I asked. "No sir, I am planning on shooting artillery. I will slow an infantry platoon down with just one good leg, but I am going to get good at math and learn how to shoot artillery". I hope he does.
 
 I had the sad duty of standing over a young Marine Sgt. when he recovered from anesthesia - despite our best efforts there was just no way to save his left arm, and it had to come off just below the elbow.
 
 "Can I have my arm back, sir?" he asked.
 
 "No, we had to cut it off, we cannot re-attach it." I said.
 
 "But can I have my arm?" he asked again.
 
 "You see, we had to cut it off."
 
 He interrupted, "I know you had to cut it off, but I want it back. It must be in a bag or something, Sir."
 
 "Why do you want it?" I asked.
 
 "I am going to have it stuffed and use it as a club when I get back to my unit." I must have looked shocked because he tried to comfort me,"Don't you worry now, Colonel. You did a fine job, and I hardly hurt at all; besides I scratch and shoot with my other hand anyway."
 
 God Bless the Marines!
 
 Col. Brett Wyrick
 
 VAE VICTIS

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Comments

[Subsunk]

There is a reason the Gates of Heaven are guarded by United States Marines. We see it here. If I was the Lord, I would want the "Devil Dogs" guarding my house against the likes of Zarqawi and the Devil.

And these Men are the epitome of Angels in devils' clothing. We currently are just not worthy of this. We'd better get the press under control. Or we'll find ourselves facing Zarqawi's galore without Men like these as our saviors.

And I would rather support Real Men like this, than demonize them as murderers because I work at a newspaper and I believe all militaries should be unnecessary.

Let's get cracking folks. We need to get behind them and their mission, as a country.

Press on, Men. You will always be respected and loved in America.

Subsunk

[leonard J edgar]

Makes me proud of these lads...I was a combat Marine in Korea....1952

[senorlechero]

Matt.......great post...........Subsunk...great comments....

I don't have to tell you how I feel about grunt marines, since my son is one (currently serving on the Syrian border), but I'm sure grateful that there are people like you making your support for the Corps loud and clear

Thanks

[jordan]

One day, we may have dire need of Marines and their offensive spirit on our home soil. The Marine Corps is a national treasure, and should be treated as such. Not only do we call on them, but so does the rest of the world when the worst, most deranged enemies arise.

We demand incredible feats from them: fight honorably against savage and brutal enemies, discipline wrongdoers, follow all rules at all times, distinguish friend from foe amid chaos, act as a diplomat when not being shot at. Oh, and ALWAYS WIN.

Tough, relentless and unforgiving, but even these manimals have a soft side. Witness Chesty Puller's letter to his wife before a campaign:

"Germany and Japan must be stopped, and then perhaps I can retire... I know how hard it is to tell Virginia Mac (their daughter) of me, but please do not let her forget me..."

How many more outrageous sacrifices do we have the right to ask these men? To sit in jail when their enemies complain? The most hellish, savage fighting always seems to fall to the Marines, and to this day they've performed brilliantly.

[thebronze]

Semper-Fukking-Fi!!!!

Oorah!

thebronze
(Former 1/1 and 3/1 Marine)

[Ymarsakar]

The Left sees body bags and bombs and bullets coming at them and think, "oh no, it is Vietnam, we must surrender now".

The Marines see the same, but they act in a different manner because they are different people. Defeat is not only about crushing the body, it is about a crushed and limp mind. Someone who has nothing to live for nor die for nor kill for, is already dead. We should all have the grace to bury the dead, and let the living fight on. For the dead should never hinder the living, from life.

The MSM is dead to me, undead that is, with horrible pretensions and the cold touch of the grave. The world media will take your honor, compared to that, death doesn't seem so scary anymore.

[JeepThang]

God Bless the USMC and all who fight to protect America.

[Constantine]

Clearly this is propaganda. We all KNOW that when a soldier or marine gets injured that they turn into Murthas... Don't they?

I didn't know that there were any other marines other than Murtha.

OK. Enough sarcasm. The Marines (and the military) are filled with DAMN FINE MEN (& women too I guess since it's 2006) who make me proud to be an American.

[tim]

Thank you, once again Blackfive for another wonderful piece.

While it is tiring to hear all the negativity from the press and draining to hear the defeatism from the cut & run crowd it is truly awe inspiring to read about such courageous, brave and honorable young men.

I sometimes wonder if this country has what it takes to win the war on terror. I’m certain that if men like this are given half a chance, that they will certainly be able to defeat any enemy.

I may have worn the same uniform long before these men were probably born, I couldn’t justify ever being in the same room. They are unbelievable, just unbelievable. My sincerest gratitude goes out to them. May all of their dreams and desires come true.

Thank you for your sacrifices and thank you for your families for bring up such fine young men. Thank you United States Marine Corps. Semper Fidelis .

[Artbyruth]

Thank you for this post. I have already passed it on to everyone I know.

God bless all our Marines in harms way. God bless those who are in boot camp right now training hard to someday be called a Marine.

I love my former Marine and I love all those who have worn the uniform.

God be with them all.

[dyzgoneby]

Oorah!!!!

I am very thankful to all those who have fought to defend for our country.

Semper Fi!
Proud Marine Fiance

[jordan]

Highlighting the Marines' fairness and lack of prejudice, a new mosque was opened for the 24 Muslims on Quantico. The imam may even be a Wahhabist! (FrontPage). The Marines know who their enemy is, and who their enemy isn't. Congrats on showing an incredible degree of open-minded tolerance, USMC.

[rude1]

Great letter! The Col really puts it in perspective. I served with the Col's brother and his letters speak volumes. Thanks Col for sharing your thoughts. Thanks Matt for putting them out there.