Attention ON DECK, A ltr from the warfront
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  1. #1
    Marine Free Member booksbenji's Avatar
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    Attention ON DECK, A ltr from the warfront



    From a AF Col to his father:






    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 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 as I 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


    SEMPER FI
    books



  2. #2
    Ooh Rah!


  3. #3
    Marine Free Member LivinSoFree's Avatar
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    Godd*mn that motivates the s*it out of me.


  4. #4
    yellowwing
    Guest Free Member
    "I can still do my job!", that's the message I hear. That is the message that hits me right in the heart from these brave lads. Never quit never give up!

    "Million dollar wound? Keep it! Get me back to my unit!"

    Where do we get such Marines.


  5. #5
    Now thats Marines. God Bless, and speedy recovery.


  6. #6
    Marine Free Member jinelson's Avatar
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    True Marines - the torch has been carried well by a this new generation of Marines and I am very proud.


  7. #7
    Marine Free Member booksbenji's Avatar
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    Thumbs up WEAR DO WE GET THESE MARINES?




    FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE, LIKE IT HAS BEEN FOR 229 YRS AND FOR 440 MORE YRS( QUOTING, ADM. FORRESTAL ON SEEING THE FLAG ON IWO JUMO). FROM THE LITTLE TOWNS OF TEXAS, NJ, IA, AND ANYWHERE THEY ANSWER THE CALL OF "SEMPER FI".
    THAT'S MY STORY AND I'M STICKING TO IT


    SEMPER FI

    books


  8. #8

  9. #9
    Marine Free Member GySgtRet's Avatar
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    This brings a tear or two to my eyes. I was concerned that the Corps had changed too much, for the worst. It hasn't it is in better shape then when I left.

    Thank you all in the theater of battle for your sacrifices. If only the world could see the dedication in Marines they would learn to appreciate Marines better.

    God Bless the Marine Coprs...!!!


  10. #10
    Registered User Free Member DIFROMPI's Avatar
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    Wink

    My heart is tearing apart. I'd trade places with those young men right now if I could. HQMC says I've been out too long. The fire is still burning bright inside me. I only gave 20yrs, yet, these fine Marines have given more in such a short time. If any of you know how I can get over there(legally). Drop me a line. I heard that there are civilian jobs available. In the words of a former Marine.....George C. Scott "God help me, I love it so".

    Semper Fi

    May God watch over and protect each and everyone of YOU.

    YOU MAGNIFICENT MARINES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


  11. #11
    yellowwing
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    Sorry Captain of Marines. Our TOS is full. Only if the sheet really hits the fan will we reach into the pool tht includes us old farts.

    I pray for the sake of our Nation that we need not dig deep to call us up. I myself would be be proud as hell to grab a weapon and stand watch in Iraq. Of course the young bucks will be breeching doors in Al Anbar province, but I'll be there at the ready.


  12. #12
    Marine Family Free Member
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    DIFROMPI-
    You may wish to check out this website.
    http://zfacts.com
    Who knows?
    Ooops, that's the main page. If you log into the main page look under foreign policy, maybe even casualties. There are some links and names there.

    Try- http://zfacts.com/p/644.html


  13. #13
    Marine Family Free Member
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    Here's a tidbit for you.

    I'm looking for information on how to go about getting a job in Iraq for an EMT or Paramedic. I need this information for a friend of mine. Her and her fellow EMT's and Paramedics want go to Iraq and help. This is her current job and she doesn't know who to contact. If someone has the information she needs it would be greatly appreciated. Please reply to this post or to retime@military.com

    This message has been edited. Last edited by: retime, Sun 13 March 2005 06:44
    Posts: 39 | Registered: Mon 24 March 2003

    jakester1214
    Basic Training
    Posted Thu 17 March 2005 16:31
    Hello, I know that there are a few companies looking for well trained medical personel in Iraq, The positions your freinds are seeking are called DOD Contractors, It does not matter what you do IE: EMT/Paramedic or Police Advisor or personal protective specialist (bodyguard) you are called the same thing because your not active military. alot of the companies have web sites for example Blackwater Security,WWW.Blackwaterusa.com, Kellog Brown and Root, I believe WWW.KBR.Com or Dyncorp not sure there web site. Some things to expect! High Pay!! around 60K - 120K per year depending on experiance,Plus living expensies, food and lodging and travel pay, usually only medical and insurance for the contractor (not there family) long work days usually 6 day work weeks and 12 - 16 hour shifts, I worked for Blackwater and they treated us like gold, however they usually only hire US Military 18D medics (special forces medic) which makes a paramedic which I also am, look like someone who just has a basic CPR card, the 18D course makes there SF medics the equvalent of a PA (physicians assistant)and can do everything including vetrinarian medicine and basic surgery. But I know KBR has firefighters and medics set up like normal state side crews. so they are your best bet, also any and all DOD contractor positions require an active DOD Secret or higher level security clearance, which sometimes the company pays for and sometimes they dont. If they dont they cost about 10K to get, and will usually take it out of your first few pays. So check them out prior to signing. also many slots are in forward operating areas and therefore are unsecure!!!!! meaning unsafe to say the least, I have seen DOD Contractor EMS and Fire crews with escort heavy weapon teams (bodyguards) with them at all times. about the only safe area is the Green zone and those spots belong to Blackwaters 18Delta's Good Luck and tell them to make sure they know what they are getting therselves into and if you or they have any more questions shoot me an e-mail at jakester1214@aol.com thanks Patrick


  14. #14
    I'd be there in a heartbeat myself if they allowed us old timers to reup. My Grandson is with 3-3 in Afghanistan and is due to rotate back to the world in June.
    Semper Fi,
    Jerry Mell
    1stSgt(Ret)USMC
    '54-'73


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