For the Soldiers

[Dichotomy]

From this day to the ending of the world,
But we in it shall be remember'd;
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile,
This day shall gentle his condition:
And gentlemen in England now a-bed
Shall think themselves accursed they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That fought with us upon Saint Crispin's day.

My one serious regret is that I did not put myself in harms way side by side with my those who did.  

Would it be wrong to start a thread of videos, pics, letters, that honor those who are or have been in harms way and stood on the wall?

I'd ask all of you who have served to post your memories.  Family members to post your testimonials.  

And any video that reminds us of the cost, humor, day to day lives, of those who were called and went.

To paraprhase... they are a soldier of freedom.. honor them.

Lets not turn this into a debate about the wars rather make this a thread that honors those that sacrifice for the greater good of mankind.

Humbly yours

Dichodog

[Hornet33]

I have tons of stories, both funny and tragic from 18 years of military service in the Army and the Coast Guard.

What I will say is this. There are 3 events that I was in the middle of serving my country that I am proud of.

1. Desert Shield / Desert Storm  A battery 1st Battalion 158th Field Artillery Oklahoma Army National Guard 45th Field Artillery Brigade. I voluntered for duty over in the sand pit at the ripe age of 18. I was scared to death but I don't regret going over because it matured me faster than anything else could have.

2. The 100 year flood of the upper Mississippi River valley in 1993. I was assigned to the Coast Guard Cutter Scioto (WLR-65504) stationed in Keokuk Iowa. We busted our butts hauling sand bags trying to save entire towns from the flood. We won some battles and we lost some battles, but to be in the middle of that disaster doing my duty was very rewarding to me.

3. 9/11  I deployed to New York City the morning of the 12th with the Deployable Pursuit Boat crews from TACLET (Tacitical Law Enforcement Team) North out of Yorktown Virgina. We arrived the evening of the 12th and procceded to run 24 hour a day ops for the next 45 days straight doing port security operations. The hours were long and the work was hard, but we made it happen. The reaction we recieved from the people of New York while we were there was amazing. I was NEVER more proud to be wearing the uniform than I was during that deployment. I knew beyond a doubt that what we were doing was making a huge differance in peoples lives. In a situation like that you just want to work harder than ever before to do the job right, and I'm proud to say that the guys I was with did an outstanding job all the way around.

I feel very lucky that I have had a chance to serve my country during some very trying times and be able to say that I was a part of them. I didn't do it for medals or awards, but because it was my job and I had a responsiblity to do it. I have NO regrets, and nothing but respect for those that are doing the job today. I salute everyone who wears the uniform and do their jobs everyday to make our country safe.

[VWE]

O.k. there is strong language on this clip just warning you before you click on the link. Marine e-tool qualifying

[AWMac]

I'll tell you in person Dichto...

Mac

[Dichotomy]

roger that Mac

[Squibb]

joining up this summer or fall.. when school's done

18xray

[Dago]

I thought this was one of the better ones I have seen.

Until Then