Illustrative of the entitlement Obama feels he deserves. I can't visualize GWB having that response to uncomfortable questions. I don't know, isn't it time for Act 2? Or, something.
This will sound as a leftist complaining about GWB. But really, I'm tired of this man, tired of hearing his name, tired of seeing him, tired of his vacuous and insipid speech's. He was a nothing, he is a nothing, and will forever be a nothing. My Mother, bless her dearly departed heart, would have done a much better job than the Zero. Forgive me my racism, though I'm not, as it is old school and was something I shared with the black guys in my old squad... but the O is shuck and jive personified. All suit and shiny teeth, playing the minstrel to an all too willing audience.
You may look at this as bragging, if you like. But in support of my statement above I'd like to share some personal history. Specifically, my reference to 'black guys'.
In 68' I was the squad leader of XRay squad, Mike Company, 3rd Battalion, 9th Marines, 3rd Marine Division.
At some point during that year the Vietnamese Army decided to award a specific Vietnamese medal, which I can't remember the name of at this instant, to randomly chosen Marines. I was instructed by my Second Lieutenant to choose a person worthy of such. Being a cynic then, as I am now, I nonetheless called up my fire team leaders, the attached 60's leader, the 3.5 leader and the 60 MM mortar leader. I instructed them all to go back, discuss among themselves and decide who should receive this award, the real award being three days back in the rear. Think about 'three days back in the rear'... that was the operative term. We were in the bush, had been in the bush, and didn't know when we would get out of the bush. Oh, bush meant jungle, a different high ground every night, humping a hundred pounds of gear during the day, then digging a fighting hole every night. IOW's a Marine's life.
Well, I relayed the message I was given, Sent the team leaders out to find the magic guy for such reward. They came back, as a group, and said... Mac (my nick). We've decided it is you who deserves this medal (though really just a chance to be in the rear). I was truly astounded, humbled, and not believing. I sat there, dumbfounded and confused. Made my best arguments as to how this opportunity should go to someone else. They said, fuck all that, we've made our decision. I accepted.
So, while back on my excursion to the rear I ran into 'Mitchell'. Mitchell the 'black guy', a previous member of my squad for months. Who had only a few days before met his 13th month requirement and was heading back to the land of honey.
Mitchell wanted to show me around the camp, Dong Ha is where it was. Among the things he wanted to show me was 'Black Power'. As you see, the Marines had allowed a whole tent to be given to a bunch of black guys. Remember the period here, please. They had posters outside declaiming such in so many words.
Well, Mitchell, barrel chested Mitchell, with me tagging along, went up to the front door of the hootch, and said to the black guys outside, semi-guarding, I'm bringing Luther in to show him around. They the guards, of course, said no white honky motherfucker is coming into this tent. Mitchell, to his everlasting credit as an INDIVIDUAL, said, Luther is coming in. And I did, the details matter not now.
All I'm saying is that I knew no color in war. See no need to need it now. But......... that was then, and now is now, there are differences differences in culture. Which can be discussed, talked about, digressed without one being a racist.
Thank you for sharing with us Luther, and thank you for your service. It seems appropriate to have a first-hand Marine story in conjunction with a tough, ornery Texan story.
Reading that put a lump in my throat. Also, my hubby's nickname is Mac.
I'm so glad you made it out of there, Luther. Your comments come from the heart and those are the words I want to hear from people. We think a lot alike and I'm grateful that you are here sharing your experiences and opinions.
Thank you, folks. But again, apologies for getting carried away. I've never judged anyone by their gender or the shade of their skin, and felt I had to tell a story to illustrate that point, or part of it at least.
Actually, florrie, we had too many Mac's. :) So, there was 'little Mac', Mac, and 'Big Mac'. Oh the stories I have about 'Big Mac'.
Luther ... enough with the apologies, for the first and last time I'll say it, you never need apologize for experiences related about a time some of us shared in a faraway place. So don't.
If no one ever shared the experience, however trifling the story teller might think it sounds to others, it isn't trifling nor unimportant. Not all in war is braggadocio, in fact, as we both know, a lot of it was simple and "just because" in a time and place. If no one shared, how would anyone else know about them? I don't believe anyone here feels any differently.
So, Luther, rest easy with yourself, and just accept that some of us shared a time so that others might live to share another time in peace. Anyone who finds that boring can go to hell.
Ari, thanks for the support. I suppose I'm conflicted by the meme of the WII guys who never talked at all about their experiences, not just excluding the horrific parts but all else as well. I can understand that point of view, just man up and get the job done in a quiet manner. But, personally, I wish they had talked more. I had several veterans in my family who, if they had shared their experiences, may have helped me in some way during my time of service. And, I've never worn my service on my sleeve, only bring it up when there is necessity for doing so or at times, among friends, among whom I consider all of the the fine folks here.
Illustrative of the entitlement Obama feels he deserves. I can't visualize GWB having that response to uncomfortable questions. I don't know, isn't it time for Act 2? Or, something.
ReplyDeleteThis will sound as a leftist complaining about GWB. But really, I'm tired of this man, tired of hearing his name, tired of seeing him, tired of his vacuous and insipid speech's. He was a nothing, he is a nothing, and will forever be a nothing. My Mother, bless her dearly departed heart, would have done a much better job than the Zero. Forgive me my racism, though I'm not, as it is old school and was something I shared with the black guys in my old squad... but the O is shuck and jive personified. All suit and shiny teeth, playing the minstrel to an all too willing audience.
You may look at this as bragging, if you like. But in support of my statement above I'd like to share some personal history. Specifically, my reference to 'black guys'.
ReplyDeleteIn 68' I was the squad leader of XRay squad, Mike Company, 3rd Battalion, 9th Marines, 3rd Marine Division.
At some point during that year the Vietnamese Army decided to award a specific Vietnamese medal, which I can't remember the name of at this instant, to randomly chosen Marines. I was instructed by my Second Lieutenant to choose a person worthy of such. Being a cynic then, as I am now, I nonetheless called up my fire team leaders, the attached 60's leader, the 3.5 leader and the 60 MM mortar leader. I instructed them all to go back, discuss among themselves and decide who should receive this award, the real award being three days back in the rear. Think about 'three days back in the rear'... that was the operative term. We were in the bush, had been in the bush, and didn't know when we would get out of the bush. Oh, bush meant jungle, a different high ground every night, humping a hundred pounds of gear during the day, then digging a fighting hole every night. IOW's a Marine's life.
Well, I relayed the message I was given, Sent the team leaders out to find the magic guy for such reward. They came back, as a group, and said... Mac (my nick). We've decided it is you who deserves this medal (though really just a chance to be in the rear). I was truly astounded, humbled, and not believing. I sat there, dumbfounded and confused. Made my best arguments as to how this opportunity should go to someone else. They said, fuck all that, we've made our decision. I accepted.
So, while back on my excursion to the rear I ran into 'Mitchell'. Mitchell the 'black guy', a previous member of my squad for months. Who had only a few days before met his 13th month requirement and was heading back to the land of honey.
Mitchell wanted to show me around the camp, Dong Ha is where it was. Among the things he wanted to show me was 'Black Power'. As you see, the Marines had allowed a whole tent to be given to a bunch of black guys. Remember the period here, please. They had posters outside declaiming such in so many words.
Well, Mitchell, barrel chested Mitchell, with me tagging along, went up to the front door of the hootch, and said to the black guys outside, semi-guarding, I'm bringing Luther in to show him around. They the guards, of course, said no white honky motherfucker is coming into this tent. Mitchell, to his everlasting credit as an INDIVIDUAL, said, Luther is coming in. And I did, the details matter not now.
All I'm saying is that I knew no color in war. See no need to need it now. But......... that was then, and now is now, there are differences differences in culture. Which can be discussed, talked about, digressed without one being a racist.
Or some damn thing.
I related that first story because without it I wouldn't have been in place for the second.
ReplyDeleteI will admit, that first story is the pride of my life. To be honored such by fellow Marines.
I was lucky, to be in that position. Leading Marines in combat. I was born for that nine months in my life. All since but filler.
I'm sorry, if I'm an embarrassment here against you fine folks.
Not at all, Luther. Not at all.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing with us Luther, and thank you for your service. It seems appropriate to have a first-hand Marine story in conjunction with a tough, ornery Texan story.
ReplyDeleteReading that put a lump in my throat. Also, my hubby's nickname is Mac.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you made it out of there, Luther. Your comments come from the heart and those are the words I want to hear from people. We think a lot alike and I'm grateful that you are here sharing your experiences and opinions.
Thank you, folks. But again, apologies for getting carried away. I've never judged anyone by their gender or the shade of their skin, and felt I had to tell a story to illustrate that point, or part of it at least.
ReplyDeleteActually, florrie, we had too many Mac's. :) So, there was 'little Mac', Mac, and 'Big Mac'. Oh the stories I have about 'Big Mac'.
Luther ... enough with the apologies, for the first and last time I'll say it, you never need apologize for experiences related about a time some of us shared in a faraway place. So don't.
ReplyDeleteIf no one ever shared the experience, however trifling the story teller might think it sounds to others, it isn't trifling nor unimportant. Not all in war is braggadocio, in fact, as we both know, a lot of it was simple and "just because" in a time and place. If no one shared, how would anyone else know about them? I don't believe anyone here feels any differently.
So, Luther, rest easy with yourself, and just accept that some of us shared a time so that others might live to share another time in peace. Anyone who finds that boring can go to hell.
Ari, thanks for the support. I suppose I'm conflicted by the meme of the WII guys who never talked at all about their experiences, not just excluding the horrific parts but all else as well. I can understand that point of view, just man up and get the job done in a quiet manner. But, personally, I wish they had talked more. I had several veterans in my family who, if they had shared their experiences, may have helped me in some way during my time of service. And, I've never worn my service on my sleeve, only bring it up when there is necessity for doing so or at times, among friends, among whom I consider all of the the fine folks here.
ReplyDelete