For all of the men and women in uniform.

=============================


My Heros



My heros don't wear expensive suits or dresses,
They wear cammo and kevlar.

My heros don't get a bed in a 5 star hotel.
They get a cot in an unairconditioned tent in the desert.

My heros don't eat caviar and pate.
They eat MREs.

My heros don't get their name on a marquee in 30 foot tall letters.
They get a nametag on their uniform, and dogtags around their neck.

My heros don't get Oscars, or Golden Globes.
Maybe they get a purple heart.

My heros don't get hours long specials on Television to pat themselves on the back.
They get a 30 second spot in a news report explaining how they are doing such a lousy job.

My heros don't go on talk shows to tell the world how wonderful they are.
They praise their squadmates while downplaying their own role by saying "I was just doing my job."

My heros don't ride in limos while sipping champagne.
They ride in Tanks and Armored Humvees, drinking water while dodging IEDs.

My heros don't get priority treatment in a top of the line hospital for a ingrown toenail.
They get a medic in the middle of a dusty road for multiple shrapnel wounds.

My heros don't die at 95, and get a huge funeral with thousands in attendance.
They die young, and they get a small family funeral, which is interrupted by protesters.

My heros aren't fictional like Rambo or Batman.
They are the real thing.


Real heros can't be found in Hollywood.
They are too busy with their duties in the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines.

That's beautful, Clay. Thank you for posting this.


Jen

Nice. Never thought of myself as a hero. Just a sailor that spent lots of time doing the job. Be it escorting oil tankers through the straits of homuz to picking up tons of drugs intercepted from drug boats.
cool, sincerly
GMCS Ricard (Retired)

may I add:
Military Rules for Non-military Personnel

"Dear Civilians, "We know that the current state of affairs in our great nation have many civilians up in arms and excited to join the military. For those of you who can't join, you can still lend a hand. Here are a few of the areas where we would like your assistance:
(1) The next time you see an adult talking (or wearing a hat) during the playing of the National Anthem---kick their ass.

(2) When you witness, firsthand, someone burning the American Flag in protest---kick their ass.
(3) Regardless of the rank they held while they served, pay the highest amount of respect to all veterans. If you see anyone doing otherwise, quietly pull them aside and explain how these veterans fought for the very freedom they bask in every second. Enlighten them on the many sacrifices these veterans made to make this Nation great. Then hold them down while a disabled veteran kicks their ass.

(4) (GUYS) If you were never in the military, DO NOT pretend that you were. Wearing battle dress uniforms (BDUs), telling others that you used to be "Special Forces," and collecting GI Joe memorabilia, might have been okay when you were seven years old. Now, it will only make you look stupid and get your ass kicked.

(5) Next time you come across an Air Force member, do not ask them, "Do you fly a jet?" Not everyone in the Air Force is a pilot. Such ignorance deserves an ass-kicking (children are exempt).

(6) If you witness someone calling the US Coast Guard 'non-military', inform them of their mistake---and kick their ass.

(7) Next time Old Glory (the US flag) prances by during a parade, get on your damn feet and pay homage to her by placing your hand over your heart. Quietly thank the military member or veteran lucky enough to be carrying her---of course, failure to do either of those could earn you a severe ass-kicking.

(8) Don't try to discuss politics with a military member or a veteran. We are Americans, and we all bleed the same, regardless of our party affiliation. Our Chain of Command is to include our Commander-In-Chief (C in C). The President (for those who didn't know) is our C in C regardless of political party. We have no inside track on what happens inside those big important buildings where all those representatives meet. All we know is that when those civilian representatives screw up the situation, they call upon the military to go straighten it out. If you keep asking us the same stupid questions repeatedly, you will get your ass kicked!

(9) 'Your mama wears combat boots' never made sense to me---stop saying it! If she did, she would most likely be a vet and therefore, could kick your ass!

(10) Bin Laden and the Taliban are not Communists, so stop saying 'Let's go kill those Commies!' And stop asking us where he is? Crystal balls are not standard issue in the military. That reminds me---if you see anyone calling those damn psychic phone numbers, let me know, so I can go kick their ass.

(11) 'Flyboy' (Air Force), 'Jarhead' (Marines), 'Grunt' (Army), 'Squid' (Navy), 'Puddle Jumpers' (Coast Guard), etc., are terms of endearment we use describing each other. Unless you are a service member or vet, you have not earned the right to use them. That could get your ass kicked.

(12) Last, but not least, whether or not you become a member of the military, support our troops and their families. Every Thanksgiving and religious holiday that you enjoy with family and friends, please remember that there are literally thousands of sailors and troops far from home wishing they could be with their families. Thank God for our military and the sacrifices they make every day. Without them, our country would get its ass kicked."

"It is the soldier, not the reporter who has given us the freedom of the press.

"It is the soldier, not the poet, who has given us the freedom of speech.

"It is the soldier, not the campus organizer, who gives us the freedom to demonstrate.

"It is the soldier who salutes the flag, who serves beneath the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag, who allows the protester to burn the flag."

(Please pass this on so I won't have to kick your ass!)
"If you can read this, thank a teacher"
"If you are reading it in English, thank a veteran."

With all of the above! Retired USN and still in Federal service.

I'm Hardly a "hero"....... but Thank you..... Sincerely

You guys rock! I love reading stuff like this.

BTW: I don't mind if you call me a "FlyBoy"

"Hooorahhh".

I'm always honored by regular citizens when they thank me for my service. I always thank them for their gratitude and for giving me a chance to serve as well. We all do our part as citizens to keep this country free.

Thanks, Clay.

QUOTE

... Never thought of myself as a hero. Just a sailor that spent lots of time doing the job.  Be it escorting oil tankers through the straits of homuz to picking up tons of drugs intercepted from drug boats.

Heh. I agree...and I did the same thing, doing two 6-month cruises to the Persian Gulf and one week with the Puddle Pirates, er, Coast Guard as an escort for drug running (you can't easily out run a gun that accurately fires over the horizon

QUOTE

(2) When you witness, firsthand, someone burning the American Flag in protest---kick their ass.

Already had planned on doing this. If you don't like my country then get out and become a CITIZEN of another country. I support one's right to free speech so long as it doesn't harm others and, well, burning my flag hurts my heart and could get you severly burned when I use your body to put out the flames. If the action of burning a flag is considered "speech" then so is the action of me kicking your ass!

Sandbox my ass.

Thanks guys!

Thanks for giving me the freedom to enjoy the quality of life we all take too much for granted. My hat is off to all of you.

Too bad everyone doesn't share these sentiments. I do not even get Veterans Day off from work.

Yeah, be sure and kick everyones ass that doesn't agree with you...do you guys even know WHY this country was founded....Diverse opinions...learn it, live it, love it or else maybe you should fight for the taliband...they don't like dissenters either...flame suit on ....anytime.

The REAL heroes are part of the background. You'd never know about them unless someone pointed them out, and that causes them discomfort. After all, in their mind they were just doing their job. Personally, I have little time for those who toot their own horns, 'cause they usually don't keep their "heroism" very long under a little scrutiny. The Cap'n

QUOTE (pek771 @ Mar 9 2006, 09:05 PM)

Too bad everyone doesn't share these sentiments. I do not even get Veterans Day off from work.

Become a politician. THEY get Veteran's Day off ....................
The Cap'n

QUOTE (jimtab @ Mar 9 2006, 09:35 PM)

Yeah, be sure and kick everyones ass that doesn't agree with you...do you guys even know WHY this country was founded....Diverse opinions...learn it, live it, love it or else maybe you should fight for the taliband...they don't like dissenters either...flame suit on ....anytime.

What's your point?

The above just about says it all.

I printed out the "hero" and the "rules" and put them up outside my cube at work.

If someone is offended they can "kiss my ass" or fire my ass. I don't really care. Diverse opinions are fine and dandy - unless they are at odds with liberty.

BTW - this country was founded by people who were PO'ed about taxes. Very small taxes. My other heros.

Yesterday, 40 years ago, my hero killed 70 VC, raiding a village.

Yesterday, 62 years ago, my hero knocked out half the railways in Italy, diving thru withering flak.

Yesterday, my hero told me about doing these things, just as he has every year, for the last 9 years.

Colonel Earl "Dutch" Miller, 345thFS/350thFG/12thAF

The Devilhawks

My favorite hero

That's him.

Like a movie star, but it's no act, he's one bad motherfucker.

Memories of a Jug Driver


Miles "Pasha" Hendrix

QUOTE (Porcharu @ Mar 9 2006, 10:52 PM)

QUOTE (jimtab @ Mar 9 2006, 09:35 PM) Yeah, be sure and kick everyones ass that doesn't agree with you...do you guys even know WHY this country was founded....Diverse opinions...learn it, live it, love it or else maybe you should fight for the taliband...they don't like dissenters either...flame suit on ....anytime. What's your point? The above just about says it all. I printed out the "hero" and the "rules" and put them up outside my cube at work. If someone is offended they can "kiss my ass" or fire my ass. I don't really care. Diverse opinions are fine and dandy - unless they are at odds with liberty. BTW - this country was founded by people who were PO'ed about taxes. Very small taxes. My other heros.

If you really think that the "tea tax" was the reason for the American Revolution then you missed the lesson in history class, it was a small part of the list of greivances. And if you will remember it wasn't taxation, it was taxation without representation, representation being the operative word. Read Thomas Paine, or Jefferson, or the Preamble to the Declaration of Independance...the words are there, and simply put. And stated much better than I can state them now. And by the way guys, I have no problem with your patriotism as long as you don't have a problem with my dissent. THAT is the real miracle of this country.

What brought this on?

Constitution of the United States : Preamble

We, the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect Union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

, and Amen.

God, please make Americans protect the Constitution.

We are failing it.


M

No Miles,

Some people are failing it. Others of us have to make up for them.

Let's go kick their asses..

Ken

When I open my mouth as a nationalist, I am taken for a racist.

I don't let that stop me. It's not what people think I am, it's the principle behind the laws. The illegal invasion of our country pisses me off most.

All employers should be fined $10,000 per employed illegal alien, and the government should protect the Constitution. My first decree, as citizen.



M

My heros picked me up off the street - put me on a backboard and got me to a hospital - where they checked my brain and spine for damage. Some died on 911 trying to save lives, and others worked for 72 hours straight to save more lives. They are always there when it goes wrong - be it at the race track - on the street - from Kansas to Compton.

Let's not forget the Paramedics, Firefighters, Medics, and other emergency services.

Just because....

QUOTE (fiid @ Mar 10 2006, 11:11 AM)

My heros picked me up off the street - put me on a backboard and got me to a hospital - where they checked my brain and spine for damage. Some died on 911 trying to save lives, and others worked for 72 hours straight to save more lives. They are always there when it goes wrong - be it at the race track - on the street - from Kansas to Compton. Let's not forget the Paramedics, Firefighters, Medics, and other emergency services.

Good comment. We don't need to forget them either.

The point I was trying to make is that we place WAY to much emphasis on the Hollywood hype, and not enough on the real heros.

QUOTE (Joe Ricard @ Mar 9 2006, 09:54 AM)

(2) When you witness, firsthand, someone burning the American Flag in protest---kick their ass. "It is the soldier, not the campus organizer, who gives us the freedom to demonstrate. "It is the soldier who salutes the flag, who serves beneath the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag, who allows the protester to burn the flag."

As much as i disagree with burning the flag, i have to point out your contradictions. Too many times i have seen these demonstrations and then some and it only made me proud to witness the purpose for our belief of freedom. Kicking somebodies ass because they dont have the same beliefs or opinions sure sounds a bit like a step backwards.

Other than that, I agree with the purpose of this thread

OK, here is my candidate for a hero, you got balls??? SHE has got balls

THIS IS INCREDIBLE - AND WILL SHE SURVIVE

An Al jazeera clip worth watching - an intelligent woman speaks 3 March 2006

Check out this most positively controversial video clip I have ever watched so far from a secular Muslim. A BRAVE WOMAN...

This was on Al Jazeera few days ago...
http://switch5.castup.net/frames/20041020_...1050wmv&ak=null

QUOTE (Dead Air @ Mar 10 2006, 06:24 AM)

What brought this on?

Just different world views. Everyone here can agree to disagree.

OK OK, lets put this in the classifieds


b

QUOTE (bd1308 @ Mar 11 2006, 05:04 AM)

OK OK, lets put this in the classifieds b

Yeah, I'd buy that for a dollar....

QUOTE (jimtab @ Mar 10 2006, 10:00 PM)

OK, here is my candidate for a hero, you got balls??? SHE has got balls THIS IS INCREDIBLE - AND WILL SHE SURVIVE An Al jazeera clip worth watching - an intelligent woman speaks 3 March 2006 Check out this most positively controversial video clip I have ever watched so far from a secular Muslim. A BRAVE WOMAN... This was on Al Jazeera few days ago... http://switch5.castup.net/frames/20041020_...1050wmv&ak=null

NOT that I wanted it to happen....

but I kept waiting for a gun to appear to the side of her head and
for her to.... well you know.

Makes you wonder how long before someone takes a shot at
ending her life tho.

Kirbeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee Puckett.

QUOTE (Dead Air @ Mar 10 2006, 06:24 AM)

What brought this on?

I don't think anything brought it on, and I don't believe they receive enough gratitude..
Thanks guy's for those current and those retired.. Be safe and God Bless..

puppies.

Even fascist countries have heros. They usually start going wrong when they post things like "Military Rules for Non-military Personnel".

Patriotism is a great tool for getting people pumped up about invading and killing, whether there's a good explanation or not to do so.

My heros support the truth, the constitution, international law and human dignity. Not corporate pockets or the re-starting of the Cold War.

QUOTE (highways @ Mar 12 2006, 02:46 PM)

Even fascist countries have heros. They usually start going wrong when they post things like "Military Rules for Non-military Personnel". Patriotism is a great tool for getting people pumped up about invading and killing, whether there's a good explanation or not to do so. My heros support the truth, the constitution, international law and human dignity. Not corporate pockets or the re-starting of the Cold War.

Well said.

Some of my HEROS are amoung us. The Vets that have returned and are trying to live a normal life. Not easy after what they have been through. Some still can't talk about thou its been30 plus years. The V.A. is taking better care than ever, but I don't think it is enough and it's alot late. Agent Orange is killing our Viet Nam era vets now and most don't say anything. They just go down with thier cancer.
SP/4 E-4 Joseph Sharp
173 ABN BRG
Bon Song, Viet Nam
1969 and 70

We all came together,
Both young and old
To fight for our freedom,
To stand and be bold.



In the midst of all evil,
We stand our ground,
And we protect our country
From all terror around.



Peace and not war,
Is what some people say.
But I'll give my life,
So you can live the American way.



I give you the right
To talk of your peace.
To stand in your groups,
and protest in our streets.



But still I fight on,
I don't bitch, I don't whine.
I'm just one of the people
Who is doing your time.



I'm harder than nails,
Stronger than any machine.
I'm the immortal soldier,
I'm a U.S. MARINE!



So stand in my shoes,
And leave from your home.
Fight for the people who hate you,
With the protests they've shown.



Fight for the stranger,
Fight for the young.
So they all may have,
The greatest freedom you've won.



Fight for the sick,
Fight for the poor
Fight for the cripple,
Who lives next door.



But when your time comes,
Do what I've done.
For if you stand up for freedom,
You'll stand when the fight's done.



By: Corporal Aaron M. Gilbert, US Marine Corps
USS SAIPAN, PERSIAN GULF

And with that thought... I am closing this thread.