Fw: POS...Dems Trash USMC...........
I just returned from the San Onofre Recreation Beach at Camp
Pendleton. To get there from Interstate 5, one would take the Basilone
Gate exit to the North Gate.
This part of Interstate 5 is the Basilone Highway. I stopped
in Gy Sgt Basilone's hometown in Raritan, NJ many years back to see the
tributes the town has made to him. He was awarded the Medal Of Honor for
actions on Guadalcanal and the Navy Cross for action on Iwo Jima.
Of course a trip here requires a stop at the MCX Branch exchange.
Stopping in, I see a group of female Marines shipping at the military
area. They were discussing the merits of different weapons holster belts.
I noted that one SSgt had a couple of tours in the recent conflict areas.
I asked her about her experiences in the Corps. She said she just
reenlisted and would be going to Scout-Sniper training soon. I think one
might consider this combat training. I asked another about physical
training. One Sergeant, about 5'2" replied she cannot carry a heavy
ruck and other equipment very far but she had carried a 190 pound Marine as a
part of her training in recovery. She served alongside Infantry in
Afghanistan as a communicator. She knows she can't do everything in the
Corps physically but will try to be a valuable part of a team with the skills
she has.
A couple of years ago, I was at the same beach. I saw a
Marine doing what I would call excessive PT. Many repetitions of
pull-ups. When I walked over to ask him why, I noticed he wore two sleek
blades in place of the feet he lost in combat. He said he was already
approved to remain on active duty but this young Marine was trying to excel so
he could stay Infantry. Hoo-Ah, Ooh-Ra. It doesn't take a rocket
scientist to discover that people usually know their limitations. The
good troops try to find their limits then exceed them with hard practice.
Gender has nothing to do with that.
Over our history, the Armed Forces have generally led the way into
integrating different racial and ethnic groups effectively into society.
When the CinC ordered it, it happened. Good service was eventually
rewarded equally regardless of race. Equal pay and rewards. The same
thing is happening now with integrating females to positions they wish to try
and can handle, wherever they may be. Weigh this against the
hypocritical BS artists who speak a good piece but still pay their female
workers 85% of their male counterparts.
I am wondering if any of these so-called journalists ever go in
among the troops and talk with them about what happens in the real world.
The nude picture scandal is being treated with corrective action much
faster than it would occur outside the Corps. These critics need to look
in the mirror and start asking themselves questions like what have I done today
to make America stronger.
On this Memorial Day, I recall every word of the last transmission
of a good Soldier and friend who was shot in the stomach while on a rescue
operation of a Vietnamese Popular Force element. He found a rice mill and
covered himself. He knew he was dying. He wanted to make sure we
knew where he was. He thanked us for serving with him. It was hard
not to tear up as his voice became weaker then stopped with his mike held open.
What brings some good thoughts was his call for air support. It
came a bit late for him but saved another US Soldier and many PFs.
Charlie took a sound beating from Soc Trang based gunships. At the opening of
the Vietnam Veteran Memorial Wall that I attended while still an active
Soldier, I attempted to find his name. I could not remember it.
Another CSM there looked at me and asked If I had trouble remembering.
He also could not remember the name of one of his best friends lost in
Vietnam. We didn't want to remember a painful event. On a second
trip there, I had no problems finding his name.
I could spend paragraph after paragraph condemning scum like the
author of the Vox article but I know one day there will be an awakening in this
great country that there are more important issues than where people pee and
realize that institutions like the USMC and our Defense Forces are made up of
fellow Americans just like them. But there is a difference. One
group will speak loudly and condemn others while contributing nothing
worthwhile to work for the future. The other will speak softly and defend
this country and will never forget those who made the ultimate sacrifice for
those they fought with and for the country they loved. They are working
for a better America for their children and grandchildren.
No one is entirely gone as long as we remember them. Look up
someone you knew on the Wall or in a military cemetery somewhere. You
will feel better for remembering.
Homer Lefterage Pease
Major
ADV TEAM 93, HQ, MACV ADVISORS, MACV Army of the United States Johnson City, Tennessee May 18, 1929 to November 19, 1966 HOMER L PEASE is on the Wall at Panel 12E, Line 90 See the full profile or name rubbing for Homer Pease |
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I hope we will one day sit down for Biscuits and Gravy and talk
again. Lou
gravelocator.cem.va.gov/
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