One thing done right
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    One thing done right

    Tired of the SOS from the vidiot box, well here's a change of tune; This is from a local Wordsmith.


    " One thing done right
    Wednesday, June 16, 2010 - Bob Flanagan


    In an effort to keep foremost in our minds memories of our serving troops, not only on calendar days marked in red, but always, I relay here a piece which Joe Galloway wrote in February 2010. Mr. Galloway was co-author in 1992 of a premiere book on the Viet Nam War: We Were Soldiers Once ... and Young. That book, written with Lt. Gen. Hal Moore, tells the true story of the U.S. Army’s first major battle in Viet Nam — the Ia Drang Valley. Joe Galloway was a UPI embedded reporter with (then) Lt. Col. Moore and his battalion command group throughout the four days of battle, November 1965. Here, after chasing wars and things military for many years, Galloway relates a piece by Army Lt. Col. Robert Bateman, who had recently completed a one-year tour in Iraq, and now serves in 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 G-3 offices line one side, G-2 the other. G-8 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.


    “1030 hours. The clapping starts at the E-Ring. That is the outermost of five rings of the Pentagon and it is closest to the entrance to the building. This clapping is low, sustained, hearty. It is 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, 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 Rings E to A, some more of his peers, each private, corporal or sergeant assisted as need be by a field grade officer.


    “1100 hours: 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. Please! Shut up and clap. For 24 minutes, soldier after soldier has come down this hallway — 20, 25, 30 ... 53 legs come with them, and perhaps only 52 hands or arms, but down this hall come 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 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 of 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 the 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.


    “Did you know that?” "


    NOTE: I have seen other information that this ceremony is held every six weeks which would be more in line with casualty reports, in any event it is owed to those troops.


    AND


    Dated, but still worth listening to.

    I am now passing this on for you to watch. Its not enjoyable, it is riveting! When you are done pass it on too, I think its important...don't you? If you are a veteran, I say thank you, for everything.

    http://www.nragive.com/ringoffreedom/index.html

    Take the time for this one You won't be disappointed. The very end is a kicker!






  2. #2
    Marine Free Member 2ndLAADBnWRENCH's Avatar
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    With tears in my eyes n jaw shuttering n my heart n mind trying so hard to keep the tears from flowing... Our troops so very much need n deserve this kind of home coming!!!!!!!

    God Bless our Combat Troops !!!!!!!

    Welcome HOME Brother's!!!!


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