RonD1120 62 #1 November 11, 2009 THE THINGS THEY CARRIED They carried P-38 can openers and heat tabs, watches and dog tags, insect repellent, gum, cigarettes, Zippo lighters, salt tablets, compress bandages, ponchos, Kool-Aid, two or three canteens of water, iodine tablets, sterno, LRRP-rations, and C-rations stuffed in socks. They carried standard fatigues, jungle boots, bush hats, flak jackets, and steel pots. They carried the M-16 assault rifle. They carried trip flares and Claymore mines, M-60 machine guns, the M-70 grenade launcher, M-14's, CR-15s, Stoners, Swedish K's, 66 mm Laws, shotguns, 45 caliber pistols, silencers, the sound of bullets, rockets, and choppers, and sometimes the sound of silence. They carried C-4 plastic explosives, an assortment of hand grenades, PRC-25 radios, knives and machetes. Some carried napalm, CBU's, and large bombs; some risked their lives to rescue others. Some escaped the fear, but dealt with the death and damages. Some made very hard decisions, and some just tried to survive. They carried malaria, dysentery, ringworm's, and leaches. They carried the land itself as it hardened on their boots. They carried stationery, pencils, and pictures of their loved ones real and imagined. They carried love for people in the real world, and love for one another. And sometimes they disguised that love: "Don't mean nothin'!" They carried memories! For the most part, they carried themselves with poise and a kind of dignity. Now and then, there were times when panic set in, and people squealed, or wanted to, but couldn't; when they twitched and made moaning sounds and covered their heads and said, "Dear God," and hugged the earth and fired their weapons blindly, and cringed and begged for the noise to stop, and went wild and made stupid promises to themselves and God and their parents, hoping not to die. They carried the traditions of the United States military, and memories and images of those who served before them. They carried grief, terror, longing, and their reputations. They carried the soldier's greatest fear, the embarrassment of dishonor. They crawled into tunnels, walked point, and advanced or flew into fire, so as not to die of embarrassment. They were afraid of dying, but too afraid to show it. They carried the emotional baggage of men and women who might die at any moment. They carried the weight of the world, and the weight of every free citizen of America. THEY CARRIED EACH OTHER. Tim O’Brien – “The Things They Carried” – 1990 – Houghton Mifflin Company (Boston)Look for the shiny things of God revealed by the Holy Spirit. They only last for an instant but it is a Holy Instant. Let your soul absorb them. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
warpedskydiver 0 #2 November 11, 2009 Many people give lip service to the sacrifices made by Veterans. Quite a few think Veterans are repugnant. I am sometimes reluctant to even mention having served anymore. Seeing how other speak of Veterans fromall nations disgusts me. I have more respect for some of our former enemies than I do the people who would act like they are our friends. There is honesty in someone admitting that years earlier they were trying hard to kill us. There are those who harbor ill will and yet smile to our faces. That really sucks Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
warpedskydiver 0 #3 November 11, 2009 Fuck it I am drunk and could not give a shit what anyone thinks. Well except just one person... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RonD1120 62 #4 November 11, 2009 Thank you for your service. One thing remains, regardless of what anyone says, we all swore an oath to uphold the Constitution of the United States and to protect our country from all enemies, foreign and domestic. For me that oath is primary and everlasting.Look for the shiny things of God revealed by the Holy Spirit. They only last for an instant but it is a Holy Instant. Let your soul absorb them. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnDeere 0 #5 November 11, 2009 Thank you all for your service! Nothing opens like a Deere! You ignorant fool! Checks are for workers! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rushmc 23 #6 November 11, 2009 Thank you. All of you who served."America will never be destroyed from the outside, if we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves." Abraham Lincoln Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TrophyHusband 0 #7 November 11, 2009 Quote I am sometimes reluctant to even mention having served anymore. i'm sorry you feel that way and i'm sorry for whatever experiences you've had that cause you to feel that way. all i can say is that neither my wife or i have ever had anything happen that would make us reluctant to mention our service, in fact our experiences have been quite the opposite. "Your scrotum is quite nice" - Skymama www.kjandmegan.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gawain 0 #8 November 11, 2009 I made my first trip to the VA center in San Francisco today. A lot of stories in those hallways.So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright 'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life Make light! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wayneflorida 0 #9 November 11, 2009 I salute our veterans. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shell666 0 #10 November 11, 2009 QuoteI salute our veterans. As do I. And at this time of year, I'm always reminded of this song Pittance of Time Thank you to all that have served, everywhere ...'Shell Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Krip 2 #11 November 11, 2009 Quote I made my first trip to the VA center in San Francisco today. A lot of stories in those hallways. Good luck in dealing with the VAI was treated for a broken leg by the VA in KC in 1970. Sometimes recieving the service you deserve can be challengingAfter our second visit we figured out their unoffical "system" for obtaining max efficency with their limited resources. Was able to cut thru the 60% of the BS by keeping our head on a swivel. I don't think you'll need it based on your injury and maybe your rank but jusy in case, this websight may come in handy http://www.vawatchdog.org/One Jump Wonder Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AirCav 0 #12 November 11, 2009 "One thing remains, regardless of what anyone says, we all swore an oath to uphold the Constitution of the United States and to protect our country from all enemies, foreign and domestic. For me that oath is primary and everlasting. "__________________________________________________ To me this says it all. Thank you for the post and have a happy Veterans Day!GW685,D3888,C5052,SCS843 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkyChimp 0 #13 November 11, 2009 GOD BLESS our Veterans and members of the United States military. I thank you for what you do!!! Blue skies!!!!! Does anyone else find it funny that we made a SPORT out of an EMERGENCY PROCEDURE?!?! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
