Author Topic: A Marine's Last Words (Read 2774 times)

Seagoon · « **on:** November 30, 2005, 01:53:14 PM »

Hi All,

Sorry if you've already read this, its the story of Jeff Starr's final testimony.

Many who do read it will no doubt see statements like this:

"It may seem confusing why we are in Iraq, it's not to me. I'm here helping these people, so that they can live the way we live. Not have to worry about tyrants or vicious dictators. To do what they want with their lives. To me that is why I died. Others have died for my freedom, now this is my mark."

and find them to be yet another example of "American Naivete" in reducing a conflict to black and white, right and wrong, and then deciding which side you are on and endeavoring to fight until you have prevailed.

In responding to those critics of the "black and white" mentality, I am reminded of something a mentor of mine, James Boice once wrote:

"Great men are never really complicated. The complicated people are the weak ones, beset by dozens of conflicting causes and motives, never quite knowing how to get it all together. The see one side of the issue, but they also see the other side. They see the advantage of one course of action, but they recognize that it might be better to do something else. Great men are not like this. They are not naive. They know that issues are sometimes complicated and that there are often different paths that can be taken, but they see the important cause and the best path and then follow it consistently."

Lest we forget it was similar "naive Americans" who stormed Omaha beach and landed on countless little pieces of hell in the pacific... Clear vision and unflinching determination are the strength of this nation. Ambiguous thinking and a failure to persevere - if they are allowed to prevail - may well be its undoing.

Anyway, enough from me, here is the original story: A Marine's Last Words

Ripsnort · « **Reply #1 on:** November 30, 2005, 02:13:58 PM »

Excellent piece! Thanks for sharing this.

Yeager · « **Reply #2 on:** November 30, 2005, 02:17:33 PM »

Lets finish the mission. Complete the job. Lets stay the course...too many have sacrificed now. There is no sunk cost. There is only failure or success.

Seagoon · « **Reply #3 on:** November 30, 2005, 09:26:14 PM »

Hi Rip,

Quote

Originally posted by Ripsnort
Excellent piece! Thanks for sharing this.

NP, just heard that El Presidente quoted from Starr's letter today in a speech at the Naval Academy.

- SEAGOON

Gunslinger · « **Reply #4 on:** November 30, 2005, 09:45:44 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Seagoon
Hi Rip,

NP, just heard that El Presidente quoted from Starr's letter today in a speech at the Naval Academy.

- SEAGOON

I've been following this story on http://www.michellemalkin.com/ She's got a pretty good story on him: http://michellemalkin.com/mt/mt-search.cgi?IncludeBlogs=1&search=starr

Nash · « **Reply #5 on:** November 30, 2005, 11:57:43 PM »

What Bush said:

"After he died, a letter was found on his laptop computer. Here's what he wrote, he said, "f you're reading this, then I've died in Iraq. I don't regret going. Everybody dies, but few get to do it for something as important as freedom."

What Bush left out:

"Another member of the 1/5, Cpl. Jeffrey B. Starr, rejected a $24,000 bonus to re-enlist. Corporal Starr believed strongly in the war, his father said, but was tired of the harsh life and nearness of death in Iraq. So he enrolled at Everett Community College near his parents' home in Snohomish, Wash., planning to study psychology after his enlistment ended in August.

But he died in a firefight in Ramadi on April 30 during his third tour in Iraq. He was 22.

Sifting through Corporal Starr's laptop computer after his death, his father found a letter to be delivered to the marine's girlfriend. "I kind of predicted this," Corporal Starr wrote of his own death. "A third time just seemed like I'm pushing my chances."

--------------------------

Twenty two years old, and on his 3rd tour. He had had it. He wanted out.

Not because he didn't believe in the war but because, just maybe, the 101st Fighting Keyboarders back at home found life too comfy to have to go and replace his arse.

3 tours and a 4th requested. Jesious. And Bush uses him to get everyone all patriotic about things?

Hey, if this kid's death gives you the warm and fuzzies, and gets you all star spangled bannery-eyed... well I guess it wasn't for nothing. (I'll keep my eye on the recruitment levels in the next month, prepared to be utterly un-shocked by the surge of enlistment that never materializes.)

Fight on, brave warriors.

moot · « **Reply #6 on:** December 01, 2005, 12:09:29 AM »

You're wrong, Nash.

Nash · « **Reply #7 on:** December 01, 2005, 12:12:25 AM »

That's helpful.

moot · « **Reply #8 on:** December 01, 2005, 12:15:36 AM »

Which would be more helpful, an honest argument, or the usual forum BS?
I'm up for the former in exchange for some photoshop info.

Gunslinger · « **Reply #9 on:** December 01, 2005, 12:15:58 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Nash
What Bush said:

"After he died, a letter was found on his laptop computer. Here's what he wrote, he said, "f you're reading this, then I've died in Iraq. I don't regret going. Everybody dies, but few get to do it for something as important as freedom."

What Bush left out:

"Another member of the 1/5, Cpl. Jeffrey B. Starr, rejected a $24,000 bonus to re-enlist. Corporal Starr believed strongly in the war, his father said, but was tired of the harsh life and nearness of death in Iraq. So he enrolled at Everett Community College near his parents' home in Snohomish, Wash., planning to study psychology after his enlistment ended in August.

But he died in a firefight in Ramadi on April 30 during his third tour in Iraq. He was 22.

Sifting through Corporal Starr's laptop computer after his death, his father found a letter to be delivered to the marine's girlfriend. "I kind of predicted this," Corporal Starr wrote of his own death. "A third time just seemed like I'm pushing my chances."

--------------------------

Twenty two years old, and on his 3rd tour. He had had it. He wanted out.

Not because he didn't believe in the war but because, just maybe, the 101st Fighting Keyboarders back at home found life too comfy to have to go and replace his arse.

3 tours and a 4th requested. Jesious. And Bush uses him to get everyone all patriotic about things?

Hey, if this kid's death gives you the warm and fuzzies, and gets you all star spangled bannery-eyed... well I guess it wasn't for nothing. (I'll keep my eye on the recruitment levels in the next month, prepared to be utterly un-shocked by the surge of enlistment that never materializes.)

Fight on, brave warriors.

This coming from a Canadian who isn't serving, who's country isn't fighting to help out there. Jesus Nash does everything have to be an ugly argument with you?

here's some of the rest of his letter:

Quote

"Obviously if you are reading this then I have died in Iraq. I kind of predicted this, that is why I'm writing this in November. A third time just seemed like I'm pushing my chances. I don't regret going, everybody dies but few get to do it for something as important as freedom. It may seem confusing why we are in Iraq, it's not to me. I'm here helping these people, so that they can live the way we live. Not have to worry about tyrants or vicious dictators. To do what they want with their lives. To me that is why I died. Others have died for my freedom, now this is my mark."

It's pretty bad that your life sucks so much that you have to flame in a post such as this. I bet the guy would have been honored to be mentioned in memorium by the CIC. Maybe you should read what his uncle had to say about him http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20050603/news_lz1e3letters.html

maybe you could be even more of an bellybutton and post your comments here:
http://www.fallenheroesmemorial.com/oif/profiles/starrjeffreyb.html

Nash · « **Reply #10 on:** December 01, 2005, 12:24:09 AM »

Heh. It's no flame.

Sorry to piss on your parade, or whatever. I know you boys are reduced to eking them out wherever you can find one of the suckers nowadays.

I kind of understand.

Still... What? You want me to play make-believe with you?

Nash · « **Reply #11 on:** December 01, 2005, 12:25:35 AM »

Moot - don't worry about it. What can I help ya with?

Gunslinger · « **Reply #12 on:** December 01, 2005, 12:28:17 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Nash
Heh. It's no flame.

Sorry to piss on your parade, or whatever. I know you boys are reduced to eking them out wherever you can find one of the suckers nowadays.

I kind of understand.

Still... What? You want me to play make-believe with you?

By suckers you are reffering to Cpl Starr? Pretty blatent huh Nash. The guy that volunteered and went 3 times out of some sort of personal drive is a sucker to you?

Did you not have a good time today sitting at the airport spitting on Vets or something?

Nash · « **Reply #13 on:** December 01, 2005, 12:31:48 AM »

lol, "suckers" was referring to "parade".

Subject/predicate.

Nice dig job to find some kind of moral outrage.

Much like the inspiration you feed off of in this kid's death.

You'll look anywhere, long and hard, no matter how senseless, for an affirmation of something you already believe to be true.

Gunslinger · « **Reply #14 on:** December 01, 2005, 12:38:52 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Nash
Btw, you're being quite rude. You realize that, right?

I take it back then, I missunderstood you. Usually a subject and predicate are in the same sentence. What you don't seem to realize is that I am a Marine. When I hear about guys like this it hurts me and gives me pride all in the same sense. To have you come in here with nothing nice to say "pissin on the parade" as yousay is more than "quite rude"

being called the "101st keyboarders" when many of us have served is "quite rude".

Flame on Nash and use mouth wash.....tis the flu season.