Remember Memorial Day and America's freedom fighter

This Memorial weekend I got it, you have things to do, people to see. Families will travel, rest will be taken. But for all that is holy, please take if it’s only a few minutes and think of your warriors who will and have in the past walked through fire for you and this great country. 

It has been my humble pleasure to serve with some of the greatest citizens that routinely make the ultimate sacrifice to America and its people. For you they go into the usually worse conditions, at the worse time and make the biggest difference. Politics aside throughout the years, your warriors have gone and did the unpopular, the impossible and the unachievable and returned with stellar results and then got ready to do it again.

On the flip side of that coin, there is unseen group of family members that wait, worry, cry, and cheer when they return one way or another. They are the pillars of strength behind your warriors that lend that special hand when times are tough, they too must not be forgotten.

Especially after returning after this deployment, I can tell you with Afghanistan chow still in my gut, your Marines, Sailors, Airmen and Soldiers are doing fantastic things in that country as I have seen great improvements since my first deployment there and the best thing, the people there want us to make  a difference.  Do you get the “stink eye” from some when you patrol through villages? Sure but in counter insurgency operations, sometimes its difficult to see who is friend or foe. However, when a local farmer of the ripe age of early 70s musters all he has to raise his AK47 against an intimidating scumbag that wants to take his crops and  because he knows if things go bad there is a US Marine patrol with in ears shot, at that point he himself makes a difference that has a positive domino effect and there is no mistake who is your “friend “ .

These types of “game changers” have happened throughout America’s history in all wars (and don’t forget, we are at war)because of your warriors being there to make the difference. Through hell and high water, they are there, throughout the ages. Missing children’s birthdays and holidays, and sometimes paying the ultimate sacrifice we are there, there for you and this country. For all that is holy we will continue to serve and “volunteer” as we believe like all others that have come before us that we wanted to be a part of a mechanism that will and has made a difference to a greater cause than our selves. Unfortunately sometimes those circumstances, although horrible and terrifying and we hope you never have to experience these situations as they cost and claim America’s most precious resource, your warriors life, we will continue and will succeed. There is no other option.

Enjoy this time approaching that you will be able to relax. Do so and simply remember, even if you don’t even know a service member, that all of us, past present and future are out there for you and this country. The best part is we thrive off of our successes, are getting pretty damn good at counter insurgency and guerrilla warfare and quite frankly simply enjoy the hell out of it, so the enemy is really screwed.

Time for a cigar……for the warriors past.

Semper Fidelis

Comments

[anon]

Amen to that, Marine.

[Sammy D]

Maj - it's been humbling and inspiring to watch through the years as our courageous military brothers and sisters adapt to the changing Middle East enemies and their tactics, not to mention suffering the "guidance of fools" as our politicians put their own career agendas ahead of the safety and support of so many in harm's way.

Having just watched the series The Pacific on HBO, my gratefulness for all you endure has increased tenfold. Imagining my Dad and Uncles on those islands was heartbreaking, and I don't know how they found the will to re-up for the Korean War. Telling my Dad about the show was enough to allow him to share more of his experience with me, and I wish you'd been part of his conversation.

Gratefully, humbly, and always honoring - we will be thinking of you and your fellow Marines on Monday at Fort Logan Cemetary.

[Elda]

Thank you is simply not enough for all the sacrifices our Armed Forces endure on behalf of our precious freedom.
I appreciate, respect and admire you and all veterans for your unwavering dediction to my freedom.

www.greatamericantroops.com

[Suburban Scarecrow]

Amen. God Bless you.

[Ms Tracy]

I've followed you through your AnyMarine updates, and your blog. You have such a way with words. Your respect for all Warriors and pride in our country shows through in everything you write. Thank you, Major Pain!

[Arrow]

for the Warriors past...Amen Marine...Thank you, Sir

[American flag]

This is something I always look forward to

[Evelyn]

Thank you all who serve and have served! I deeply appreciate all that has been done and is being done!

[Barbara P]

To all of our troops past and present, thank you. Where would we be today without the sacrifices they gave for all of us?

[mindy1]

Thanks Vets