10:30 hours (local EST), Friday, 11 May 2007: Third Corridor, Second Floor, The Pentagon:
It is 110 yards from the “E” ring to the “A” ring of the Pentagon. This section of the Pentagon is newly renovated; the floors shine, the hallway is broad, and the lighting is bright. At this instant the entire length of the corridor is packed with officers, a few sergeants and some civilians, all crammed tightly three and four deep against the walls. There are thousands here. This hallway, more than any other, is the “Army” hallway. The G3 offices line one side, G2 the other, G8 is around the corner. All Army. Moderate conversations flow in a low buzz. Friends who may not have seen each other for a few weeks, or a few years, spot each other, cross the way and renew. Everyone shifts to ensure an open path remains down the center. The air conditioning system was not designed for this press of bodies in this area. The temperature is rising already. Nobody cares.
10:36 hours (local EST):
The clapping starts at the E-Ring. That is the outermost of the five rings of the Pentagon and it is closest to the entrance to the building. This clapping is low, sustained, hearty. It is an applause with a deep emotion behind it as it moves forward in a wave down the length of the hallway. A steady rolling wave of sound it is, moving at the pace of the soldier in the wheelchair who marks the forward edge with his presence. He is the first. He is missing the greater part of one leg, and some of his wounds are still suppurating.
By his age I expect that he is a private, or perhaps a private first class. Captains, majors, lieutenant colonels and colonels meet his gaze and nod as they applaud, soldier to soldier. Three years ago when I described one of these events on Altercation, those lining the hallways were somewhat different. The applause a little wilder, perhaps in private guilt for not having shared in the burden … yet. Now almost everyone lining the hallway is, like the man in the wheelchair, also a combat veteran. This steadies the applause, but I think deepens the sentiment. We have all been there now. The soldier’s chair is pushed by, I believe, a full colonel. Behind him, and stretching the length from E to A, come more of his peers, each private, corporal or sergeant assisted as need be by a field grade officer.
10:50 hours (local EST):
Twenty-four minutes of steady applause. My hands hurt, and I laugh to myself at how stupid that sounds in my own head. “My hands hurt.” Christ. Shut up and clap.
For twenty-four minutes, soldier after soldier has come down this hallway — 20, 25, 30. Fifty-three legs come with them, and perhaps only 52 hands or arms, but down this hall came 30 solid hearts. They pass down this corridor of officers and applause, and then meet for a private lunch, at which they are the guests of honor, hosted by the generals.
Some are wheeled along. Some insist upon getting out of their chairs, to march as best they can with their chin held up, down this hallway, through this most unique audience. Some are catching handshakes and smiling like a politician at a Fourth of July parade. More than a couple of them seem amazed and are smiling shyly. There are families with them as well: the 18-year-old war-bride pushing her 19-year-old husband’s wheelchair and not quite understanding why her husband is so affected by this, the boy she grew up with, now a man, who had never shed a tear is crying; the older immigrant Latino parents who have, perhaps more than their wounded mid-20s son, an appreciation for the emotion given on their son’s behalf. No man in that hallway, walking or clapping, is ashamed by the silent tears on more than a few cheeks. An Airborne Ranger wipes his eyes only to better see. A couple of the officers in this crowd have themselves been a part of this parade in the past. These are our men, broken in body they may be, but they are our brothers, and we welcome them home.
This parade has gone on, every single Friday, all year long, for more than four years.
88 Comments
Trackbacked by The Thunder Run – Web Reconnaissance for 05/18/2007
A short recon of what’s out there that might draw your attention
That post made my screen go fuzzy somehow, while I contemplate how much harder I must work to deserve all of you.
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
On behalf of every one of those wounded troops, I thank you. For clapping your hands for me, I thank you. For giving me that visual, for inspiring me, for making my eyes tear … Thank You.
I too, am wiping tears from my eyes.
God Bless the Troops, and God Bless America.
If only even 60% of Americans had the courage that you folks do, we’d trample the jihadists back into the ground where they belong.
Thanks for the report that the MSM ignores, but thanks for the bottom of my heart for the warriors, their families and also the Pentagon personnel for taking the time to honor these brave soldiers.
# 2 … I had that same problem with my screen fogging up, will have to look into that …..
WELCOME HOME MY BROTHERS STAND TALL AND THANKS FOR OUR FREEDOM , YOU ARE IN OUR PRAYERS.
wish I cold have been there to give them a hug
You Men know how to treat and respect the Men you serve with. I am not only proud of the way you and your shipmates welcome home these truly heroic youngsters, but by how you have shown that True Leadership understands EXACTLY how to Honor and Cherish the motive forces under that Leadership:
“By his age I expect that he is a private, or perhaps a private first class. Captains, majors, lieutenant colonels and colonels meet his gaze and nod as they applaud, soldier to soldier. Three years ago when I described one of these events on Altercation, those lining the hallways were somewhat different. The applause a little wilder, perhaps in private guilt for not having shared in the burden … yet. Now almost everyone lining the hallway is, like the man in the wheelchair, also a combat veteran. This steadies the applause, but I think deepens the sentiment. We have all been there now. The soldier’s chair is pushed by, I believe, a full colonel. Behind him, and stretching the length from E to A, come more of his peers, each private, corporal or sergeant assisted as need be by a field grade officer.” ….
“This parade has gone on, every single Friday, all year long, for more than four years.”
I salute your Men, your efforts on their behalf, and the Honor and Dignity you have used to welcome home and to nurture these National Treasures who so recently and completely served our country on the front lines of Her defense.
Most of us who prosper under the protection you give us, ain’t worth your spit. But I’m damned proud of the way you handle your job, and the way you have Honored the finest people in the world, whom you have chosen to associate with. God bless your Men, and your Leadership for showing these youngsters what America truly thinks of their Courage and their Honorable conduct.
MEN, all of you.
Subsunk
Thank you. Simply outstanding.
You all need to invite some of the members of Congress… maybe just the members of the House and Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committees (I know, you’d have to leave them out at the E-Ring, but maybe… just maybe… they’d get the message.) Please cheer for me, too.
Dang, my computer screen got all fuzzy halfway through that as well…
God Bless our men!!!
I’m a British citizen who has served in our armed services.
I wish I could be as proud of our sailors and Royal Princes, as I am of you, our American allies.
I have to agree “GOD BLESS AMERICA”
We pray daily for our heroes for their safety and/or recovery. We pray also that they be honored all the rest of their days.
Grateful for this knowledge. Bless them. Bless all of those Coalition Muhajideen, freedom loving Iraqis, Iranians, Afghanis who love life and liberty!
May The Most High bless their efforts and labors. I pray for this.
I am lover of love, hater of hate, seeker of truth with a little time on my hands.
Honor, Discipline, Integrity, Courage, Compassion; the common denominator of those noted above and servants of The Most High.
Mr. Deverill,
A great man named Rick Rescorla came here from your land. He came here to fight in Vietnam. He survived it and went on to do great and inspiring things.
Unfortunately, he died in one of the towers on 9/11 after he rescued many and was on his way up to rescue more. He is one of my heroes.
If you feel the way you indicate, you would be welcome here.
NBD, but I assume there is the occasional female wounded through that hallway, too. Any idea of the percentage, however low?
Heroes’ Friday, indeed.
I’m so glad that you wrote about this. I’m a civilian that joins in creating that applause whenever I can, though I’ve been clapping along the A-ring on occasion. And this comment hits it dead on:
‘Twenty-four minutes of steady applause. My hands hurt, and I laugh to myself at how stupid that sounds in my own head. “My hands hurt.” Christ. Shut up and clap.’
I had the exact same mental conversation with myself the first time I joined in – my hands got a breather only when I stopped to shake their hands.
Great post.
This is one of the best, if not the best, posts/blogs/statement, stories I’ve ever read.
If you don’t shed a tear from this, you’re not human.
Remember that we are making sacrifices because noone else will.
JB2D out.
I hate it when my screen goes blurry…
I had no idea. I’m glad I didn’t have any idea before because I’m not entitled to know everything about the special honors paid to Our Wounded Warriors, especially among yourselves. But now that I do know about it, I’m deeply proud of you all, at a whole different level.
G*d bless you all My Soldiers, and know that I love you, now and forever.
Thankyou for sharing this. We love and appreciate your Service more than you can imagine.
Nice to see the personal support shown for our brave fighting men and women.
I wish that courage could have been put to better use than this misbegotten invasion of Iraq.
My heart was bursting with the pride you all showed to your warriors, thank you for your service to this greatest of countries.
Thank you Thank you Thank you
Every time I meet a man or woman in the military, whether around town or in an airport, I make an effort to thank them for their service to our country. How can we convince them that the MSM does NOT represent the feelings of “most” Americans? I will continue doing my small part…God Bless these servicemen and women and God Bless America!
and a big Thanks for this link on Newsbusters!!
Thank-you LTC Bateman for this moving account of the Friday Pentagon Welcomes Home. Like the participants and many of your readers, I too have felt the well of tears. I am so proud of all of you, proud of what you have given and sacrificed and proud that our nation has such sons and daughters willing to serve and sometimes fall on her behalf. God bless you all and God bless America.
BTDT, still crying, Remember homecoming, “68″ Just Folks and siblings.
Semper Fi
Mike
This morning, before I linked to this beautiful article, my oldest son stood in the kitchen holding his sleeping baby brother in his arms and spoke to his mother about his increasing desire to return to active duty as a Corpsman with the 1st MARDIV. He spoke of his other “Brothers”, the greatness of their loyalty, team-work, dedication and honor. He was getting frustrated that he could find nothing in the way of work in the “real world” that had any of these elements. I sat at my desk listening, thinking, ” WHY?,you did THREE TOURS!!” “Al-Anbar, Ramadi, that crappy Hwy 8 at the beginning of this war!!” “You had close friends that never made the bus ride back from March AFB!!” But I could hear the growing resolve in his voice and after reading this article I will support his decision the same way I supported him when he first enlisted after Sept. 11th.
100% or nothing..
Semper-fi
Just to be clear.
Nothing is “NOT” an option.
God bless America,
Richard
My husband is buried in Arlington. Because of him, I’ll be there some day, too. God Bless all of you.
When you welcome these servicemen/women back, your tears are all our tears. I cry reading this and whenever I see returning troops. I am old. USN retired, and a war veteran. I am also disabled from my service. These are our heroes, our protectors of liberty. They deserve our salutes and our tears of gratitude. Thank you to all who serve, who protect their comrades and us. And thank you to those who can be there to welcome them home. Clap for me too, I can handle the tears part on my own.
In case you misunderstand…I mean clap for them , the returning heroes, for me too. Thank you.
As a high schooler and just a teenager enjoying life, it’s sometimes hard to imagine what people go through on a daily basis throughout the world. We couldn’t be more lucky here in America, land of the free, and if it wasn’t for our incredible and self-sacrificing troops, we would have nothing. You Men and Women serve selflessly, thinking of your country and those in need first. Your courage is unparalleled in any other aspect of society. I will most likely never know what it is like, I will never be in your shoes, I will NEVER understand. But I can understand that you are super-human, and although I may never do what you do, I wish I could be like you.
Thank you for our Freedom
May God bless them, one and all.
Thank you for this post. I wish more people knew… and understood.
Your piece on the parade of wounded men (and women, we presume) moved me. But then I witnessed Pearl Harbor…as a kid (Navy family)…and also happened to be in NYC to also witness 9/11.
For a guy who heard them play the National Anthem that morning so long ago…when our people die…I suffer, too.
Having said that…where the HELL is the OUTRAGE among the Rank and File in that Pentagon?
WHAT ARE OUR GUYS DOING OVER THERE? They are SITTING DUCKS…getting blown away every day by people who WANT US OUT.
I’d fire every General in the Pentagon TODAY if I had the power.
The Answer is NOT…repeat NOT to Nuke them Out of the Stone Age…but to get our people out of the line of fire…and then SOLVE THIS MESS.
Which can’t be done by going on dying like this.
Come on, people. Wake up!
Every single man/woman who dies over there from now on DIES IN VAIN.
For NOTHING.
Richard Calderhead/Itsez
May 21, 2007
PS…I wanted nothing more… ever…than to go to the Naval Academy…passed the test and then got knocked out with…high blood pressure.
Thanks for the great post.
I was able to imagine it as if I were there, and I appreciate you sharing this. I got choked up over it.
God Bless you and all those who serve.
As to Richard, you obviosly are not in touch with reality sir.
I take offense to your inference to those that die, do so in vain.
My friend did not die in vain, nor did the other 3000+.
The people of Iraq are worth the attempt at freedom, if they screw it up, that is their problem. At least they will have had the chance.
That is not in vain.
I regret the loss of a single American life sir; I started losing friends on Dec. 7, 1941. So PLEASE…no lectures about REALITY.
Here…answer this: If some moron General is ALLOWING our precious people to GO OUT UNDERARMED…and get blown to smithereens…while Iraqis stand back and watch…where is the OUTRAGE?
At Remagen in WWII…some special forces (trained expertly) watched while some idiot officer ordered his men into an armed cul-de-sac…and our guys got mowed down. Huh?
To put another point on this…wheeling amputees through the Pentagon is almost sickening. Nodoby DOUBTS there courage, but this is a macabre ritual.
Get our guys off the line…out of the fire zone…and then let’s SOLVE THIS.
Richard Calderhead
Very MUCH in touch with REALITY.
My webname was coined when I first read a moron like Richard Calderhead. Get off this site and all the others like it. There are lots of other ones for morons like you. There’s no outrage because these brave men see what you are too stupid to see. How exactly do we “SOLVE THIS”? If it’s so obvious and simple, then let’s hear it? The truth is you’re just some obnoxious, incoherent fool. Go onto the DailyKos or FireDogLake and spout your inanities. I read stories like this and I ask “Are the Iraqis worth it?” I mean, these are OUR sons and daughters, fathers & brothers being wheeled down that hall or buried at Arlington. Then I stop to think about how committed and certain the people are that HAVE ACTUALLY BEEN THERE, and I think it must be worth it. Because they don’t believe they are doing it for the Iraqis so much as they are doing it for us.
Thanks LTC Bateman. Clap for me too.
God Bless them all, OOH-RAH & SEMPER FI
The US troops are doing their level best. IF the 1st Bush had continued on and completed the deposition of Saddam Hussein much earlier, perhaps 9-11 wouldn’t have occurred. However, George II had the courage to press on until the oust of Saddam, now is helping set up a new government for them. Our troops are training people who had NO idea of military matters. Of course, frequently interfered with by crazed jihadists!
Thank you all who served…
Ross
Proud father of an American Soldier
Sad to see terms like “moron” thrown around here. I take a backseat to nobody when it comes to honoring our men and women in service.
I am ABSOLUTELY appalled at the Generals who “planned” this (w)ar. They are letting our people get killed. For WHAT?
I did not use terms like “moron;” the fact that some here do…is deeply troubling. It appears that “some” military people are Robotic…Doing Their Duty…and afraid to Think.
Save your trash-talk for your buddies at the bar…use this forum to THINK IT THROUGH.
We do NOT belong in house-to-house street fighting in an urban area poplulated by innocent Iraqis.
We should IMMEDIATELY draw back our guys…get a real coalition on the ground over there…INCLUDING Muslims… and calm this down.
FIRST…let’s STOP KILLING OUR OWN PEOPLE BY STUPIDLY SENDING GTHEM INTO DANGER.
America does NOT want more of them killed.
Calderhead (Now…please…stop with the garbage and THINK!)
Wish I could have been there. Really and truly how thinking Americans understand what the military and all are doing.
God Bless.
Continue to honor and thank those who are willing to fight for our survival against terrorists who have no regard for human life. The fact that our men and women believe in the cause and are willing to sacrifice for it makes me know it is the right thing to do. There is no quick fix and that so many think there should be is troubling. Thank you to all the troops and stop trying to convince those who can’t see the big picture…..you will not be able to change their minds.
One can’t help but tear up while reading of that wonderful parade of brave young Americans. They deserve a great deal more than applause, but I’m sure that was pleasantly recieved.
Richard Calderhead, above, fails to realize that if terrorism isn’t stopped in this world we’ll go through more experiences like 9/11. And these kids are the ones that are guaranteeing our safety in the future.
God Bless America
How about we leave Richard Calderhead’s posts alone and continue in the spirit of the original post?
May God place his arms of protection around each solder and bring them home soon. May the U.S.A. Stand with them.
God Bless all of the men and women who do so much for us every day. My brother-in-law is currently serving his THIRD tour for the U.S.M.C. I am so proud of him and pray for his (and all of our troops) safe return.
I was completely unaware that a welcome home Friday was even in existance. Is it a private affair or can regular citizens be part of it too?
There is no way to thank our men and women of the armed forces enough. They’re the only reason the rest of us can breathe free air every day. May God bless them, everyone. And, yes, bring them home, safe, but on ther own terms, not the terms of the fainthearted. Not one Soldier, Sailor or Marine has died or been injured in vain. They’re doing it for all of us.
God bless these wonderful men & women for their sacrifice on our behalf…my husband and his fellow Viet Nam Pows just met in Norfolk recently, and had a chance to meet with a group to soldiers preparing to leave for Iraq. Let us never forget the freedoms they protect for us…and pray for their safe return. Thanks for making us aware of this parade of tribute.
I nam SO GLAD sombody is doing something for our deseserving sons and daughters. We never her to good people do to honor those who give all so we are free. Thanks to all
I nam SO GLAD sombody is doing something for our deseserving sons and daughters. We never her to good people do to honor those who give all so we are free. Thanks to all
I was crying also as i read this. What a visual you present. As always when I read of our great service men and women I wonder where they come from. The courage they display astounds me. Thank you can never say enough. Know that you and your families are prayed for daily. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU
Thank you. Thank all of you.
Great service, great article. Thank you for all that are serving and have served. I don’t have words.
A small commentary on protestors. By common agreement, some events, some places are suspended from the normal rules of spirited debate in this country. If you have a labor debate with a church, unions skip protesting funerals for instance. When they don’t, they garner tremendous outrage. There are secular and religious ceremonies that fit this description. This is one of them.
If you must pee in the cornflakes, leave a reference to another forum where you can have a conversation and save your angry words for there. Otherwise, you’re no better than the ugly souls who shout at Iraqi war funerals that God hates the person being buried.
FREEDOM IS NOT FREE! To all who have served…Thank You for your many sacrifices!
I pray for you, and I pray we are worthy of you!
GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS!
How can we thank men who volunteer to risk their life for our lives.??
Everyday they are a target. Tell me how do you measure that sacrifice! It is immeasurable!! God bless our troops.
Wish W was there. Wish Dick had served.
As a vietnam vet, I know the feeling!! can’t be there with you in person but always in my heart and prayers! God Bless..
I read it the first time and cried (I’m at work!), read it again and wept again. I wish I could be there just once to thank them.
My trip through those corridors was a day I’ll never forget. Met at the door by Secretary Rumsfeld and his wife (who both remembered the conversations my wife and i had with them weeks prior inn Walter Reed) but then the clapping–the applause that you thought would die down at the turning of the corner, but never seemed to end… that was my welcome home parade.
When my unit came home months later, they were greeted by the Commanding General of the division, the band, the news, family members, etc. But my homecoming was attended by those who knew what I had sacrificed, what I had been through. my comrades–who’ve served this nation for many millenniums of man-years–greeted me, welcomed me home, made me the guest of honor.
And then the tour stopped. A young soldier stood by some elevators, near a chapel. “This,” he said, “right here is where the plane hit on September 11th.” Right then, all of the politics, all of the fighting, the whole war came into exact hyper-focus. Agendas and viewpoints didn’t matter. This hallway, this hallowed ground, this is where the war started, and we lucky few were back from the proverbial front, bloodied, bruised and butchered, and to a man we all knew that our sacrifices had meaning.
My trip to the pentagon was a day I’ll never forget. I returned with a group of cadet a few months ago. Standing in that same hallway, as the tourguide explained how the plane hit and bounced into the hall, seein the quits, banners, and flags on the wall, I was again overcome with emotion. Studying the memorial plans I noticed a part of the memorial was for the four-year old child killed that day, a child who would’ve been the same age as my son.
Emotion again overcame me and I wept openly. I moved to the back of the group, the young Marine guide understood, and moved the group on to the next display.
No, my welcome home parade is a day I’ll never forget. If I could sum up in a single word what it instilled in me as a leader, a soldier, and as a father faced with fighting a war against an enemy who recognizes no restrictions on killing children, civilians,or any non-combatant; the one word I choose: Resolve.
I will always place the mission first.
I will never accept defeat.
I will never quit.
I will never leave a fallen comrade.
And Dick, excuse me, richard calderhead, go F**K yourself.
Chuck
I just want to say thankyou to all of you
I just wished you could all be back home
where you belong.God Bless you
God Bless each and everyone of our soldiers. Words can’t express our graditude. As I prepare for my daughters graduation, I am reminded, once again, that a normal everyday life would not be possible were it not for your sacrifices. By you being apart from your families, enables me to be with mine. There is a special place in Heaven for all of you!
To Charles Ziegenfuss – Well Said!
I am the father of seven children and the husband of one very busy wife. In behalf of the Holler family, I wish to thank every man and woman who ever wore the uniform of our country. To think that each of you volunteers, is a tribute to you, and the freedom that still rings in America. We sleep peacably in our beds at night because you are willing to do a job that must be done. Many of you suffer, and some die, so that we never even have to hear a rocket approaching, or see a bomb crater on our own land. I don’t think the message was lost on terrorists, that if they try another stunt like 911, they will pay a very dear price, and they will pay it on their soil. Unfortunately, that message was lost on many at home. At this moment, my children are running, and laughing, and playing in the yard, and bouncing on the trampoline in a land that is safe and free because of you. Tonight before prayers I shall read them the story of “Welcome Home Friday,” and teach them about the price of Freedom, and the evil men who would take it from us. Then we will permanently add these few simple words to our nightly prayers. [By "soldier" we will mean to include every man and woman in uniform, but our nightly prayers are short and simple. So we will close our prayers: ] “God bless every soldier and their families.” In my own prayers I will add, “Keep them safe. Bring them home to their families. Bind up their wounds. And take the souls of the fallen swiftly into Thy glorious presence.”
What Charles Ziegenfuss said.
A soldier’s dad says thank you and God bless you to all his mates. And to the women who serve, you are truly amazing. Stay safe, be strong, we love you all.
iam sorry i could not take them out in korea .thanks your help .god bless to one and all of you brave men.
Many thoughts come to mind but the most important one is that I am proud to be an American and love this country. We don’t do enough to thank our soldiers, sailors, and airmen enough, especially the NCOs. Perhaps NBC, ABC, and CBS should carry more stories like this one on their nightly news. We only see the negative but there is so much more positive to be experienced.
Well deserved, truly a tribute to our brave men. God Bless Each One.
THANK YOU to those who give their all to keep this nation free and strive to provide the chance for others to know the same freedom. This is a truly noble effort and a truly noble goal. God bless you!
Mel D.
In my heart and thoughts I am there too, applauding, shaking their hands, hugging them tightly and welcoming them home. Although one’s heart is heavy with the thought that so many of their brothers are no longer with us to witness this sight and read the words. Let’s all hope that they can, in fact, look down upon us and know that it is for them as well.
We should all remember why we honor these young men and women, why we love and respect those that we, the veterans of Viet Nam, served with, and all those who were our heroes and who built this country we love. Remember it was all done for freedom. Our “Bill Of Rights” explains it in simple words.
So think about this: To disagree with Richard C.is Okay and I agree with all of you on that. But do not dishonor us all by denying him Freedom of expression.
I clap for all of our young men and women and wish that I could be there to shake each and every hand.
God bless and protect you all.
Mick Quinlan, Reno, NV.
Let’s not forget. Long before self-righteous, opinionated, scholars and want bees. This country was founded on blood shed. Think for a moment if possible. What sort of America would exist today if individuals like Kennedy, Dr. King, Roosevelt, and Lincoln didn’t exist or take a stand? Granted their cause may have been for different reasons. But they believed in something so strongly, they would shed blood and did. Ok, America is not perfect by any means and unfortunately, probably never will be. Honestly, most countries around the world would gladly pay the price of “life” to have a portion of our freedoms in America.
I was apart of those “believers” and 20 years later; I would proudly stand again to protect our way of life.
BTW – it’s not often these things “war” go perfect for anyone.
Wow…what an awesome experience that must be for all involved. I would love to someday participate in the clapping. My son was wounded in Iraq in 2004…I’m just sitting here wondering what his reaction would have been to such a homecoming. Something he would never have forgotten, for sure.
Thank you to all of the men & women who unselfishly protect and keep the rest of us safe. God bless our troops, God bless our country.
The only association that I have ever known is that we are one, whether they be
a soldier, a marine, an airman or a seaman. The pains for the wounded are lessened when they are shared by all. This every Friday ritual is a memory in the making. It is proof that we are in their debt. I applaud the recognition.
Thanks to the men and women who walk the halls of the Pentagon. Also, thanks to the men and women warriors of the United States of America who serve and sacrifice for freedom. God bless them all and TGIF!
Honor Duty and Sacrifice are words that describe the United States Military Forces. Thank You for putting your lives on the line, to restrain the evil that seeks to destroy our societys freedoms. God Bless your Souls.
Thank you all for keeping AMERICA great. Without the broken and fallen no one would ever be allowed to speak with the freedom we have here..I the proud mother of a US Marine who just came back from his first tour, thought he summed it up the best…”America has never smelled so good Mom, I feel like a Kid waiting for Santa Claus just to be back home again.” When he walked in my house, Hugged Me (almost breaking all my ribs…How did that boy get to be such a strong young man???) He too Smelled so good to me even though he had not bathed in about 72 Hours….
I know many understand but none as those wounded..You are my Christmas treat each and every day…
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE
General Da MOMMA
TGIF will always have a new special meaning to me. Carl Turner, TET VET, Post # 72 and I remember a very different homecomeing in the late 60’s. Because of this, Carl and I made sure we were there to cheer and applaud when my son and his fellow Marines stepped off the bus coming home from Fallujah three weeks ago. My hero, thanks be to the one who hears my prayers, came home without any Purple Hearts, as ordered by his Dad, who outranks him. We are all, (his Dad, His Grandfather, now in Arlington, his Mom, and all of his friends, stand in awe of those who have paid such sacrifices for this Country, the hope of free men everywhere, who are honored each Friday by those “Field Grade Officers” who stoop to symbolically “Kiss the hem of their garments”. Bless Them All. We are not worthy. M. Olsa, Sgt of Marines, Released From Active Duty 1969
It is America’s destiny in war that we do what must be done and we do what others can’t. This is just one of the things we owe God for His blessings.
Mr. Calderhead seems not to have learned this because he was most likely protesting his campus R.O.T.C. when he should have been in History class.
Coming from a long line of combat veterans, being the father of one as well, I share in the honor, pride, but also fear. I see the pictures, hear the stories, know many of our wounded personally. When viewing the Memorial Day Concert last weekend, I became almost uncontrolably angry when I saw the camera focus on that dishonorable politician that calls himself a Marine. I wanted to puke. I fear that this battle is harder for me than when I was with the 2/501. I pray for all of them. Please pray for my son.
I did 2 tours in NAM,I just wished I could of been treated that way. It really hurts me and alot of others.(U can read their names on a WALL.)
My prayers are with all of these young men. I grew up a military brat and know what my Dad and two brothers went through.
But for the grace of God, I could have been one of these men many years ago.
In 1961, at age 19, I enlisted in the
U.S.NAVY. In 1963 I watched as thousand of
young soldiers,80 at a time, boarded C-130
aircraft on Okinawa, headed for Vietnam. I
could have been 1 of them. GOD BLESS!
As the mother of two sons who have served (Joseph in the Gulf War and James in Bosnia) my heart goes out to every soldier (and their families) who are serving so honorably in this war. I break down whenever I hear of the death or wounding of one of our soldiers. God Bless them all. You are in my prayers.
Just a chunky grandmother sitting here enjoying the freedom being protected for me by an amazing generation of VOLUNTEERS. May God care for you and your families as you risk all for us. Thank you is not enough to say . Understand that you are loved and appreciated by a grateful nation.
This is the type of reporting that should appear in all newspapers. Many Americans do not realize that Freedom is not cheap. I am proud to be a Vet and proud and priviledged to be an American.
I am crying as I read this story and I am ashamed of myself for not doing more for our troops. I will be praying for God to point me in the direction I need to go to do something for these brave and unselfish men and women.
After serving my country for 20 years from 1971 to 1991, I have the honor to work with these great young men at Hunter Army Air Facility in Savannah. I’ve made a lot of friends and pray for them daily while they are in harms way. They are truely America’s best. May God Bless them all.
I just returned from a 26 year reunion of my closest buddies, 13 of America’s then finest, from my first squadron. I know they join me as I applaud the finest from today’s America.
Amen, and thanks for carrying on the service and the tradition.
As a retired Soldier and 2 year highly decorated Combat Veteran of Vietnam, I salute everyone involved in this wonderful event. I have marched in Parades, have been enshrined in Halls of Heroes, and have been thanked by a few Politicians like congressmen and Governors, but this type of recognition means so much more to us as Soldiers than any of that! God bless you all!
PS/ Dick, Walking away from a situation like Iraq (or Vietnam) will not bring a peaceful end and more people will die if we leave than if we stay and support the Iraqis and Afghans. Ask the families of the millions who died after we withdrew from Vietnam. If we support them you can have future countries like South Korea, Germany, and Japan.
Simper Fi from my USMC Corporal Son!
LaRue
As a Viet Nam vet, I was really moved by this story. I fought back tears of my own reading this display of tribute to these young men and women. I’m not sure when the politician will wake and really show all our vets the respect they deserve, but I’ll bet you’ll never find one of them in that hallway.
I have received thanks for being a veteran from some of the most unlikely people in my life and it moves you when they say “Thank you for being a veteran.”
But unfortunately, the American people have lost the heart to with stand a long trial of any kind. Not like our parents and grandparents of the WWII era. And the politicans have still not learned anything from history, either.