I wrote this five years ago and the sentiment still stands.
Today, more than any other day, it’s worth reminding ourselves not to rely on the nobility of the sacrifices made by those serving in the armed forces to excuse the lack of wisdom of our elected officials who often put them in harm’s way for questionable purposes. And when it comes to downplaying the honor of our troops because of questionable politics, vice versa.
To the former, I say thanks, sincerely.
Get The Picture 
To all the members of the GTP community who serve or served in the military (and their families), thank you for your sacrifice in the protection of freedom.
“All gave some, some gave all.”
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Well said, Senator.
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Paul “Andy” Stein. KIA Operation Meade River, Nov 22, 1968. https://live.staticflickr.com/7695/17936963089_1e6f75cebb_o.jpg
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I read every day, but almost never post. After spending thirty years of my life serving I am convinced that the last engagement that was worth the lives it cost ended in 1945. The hawkish politicians should have to be the first boots in the sand.
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There it is. Well said, buddy.
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For every living second of my life, my hat is off and i yield to those who serve and have served in the United States of America Armed Forces…..God Bless America…
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Korea was and is a good cause. Poorly handled and managed though
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Ain’t that the truth Dawleg. All politicians should have to have their sons and daughters drafted into the infantry. It might make them think a little harder before sending the sons and daughters of others to fight.
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The folks who start shit damn sure need to be held accountable.
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Truman should have told MacArthur to STFD and STFU once the parallel was restabilized. The US had made it’s point.
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Eugene Hooke, lost over the Pacific in WW2.
Lonnie King, KIA Battle of the Bulge.
“It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived” – GEN George S. Patton
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Very somber holiday for me as I reflect on the 36 fellow soldiers my unit lost during my 9 months with the unit.
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Thank you Senator. May we all come together on this day to remember the blessings this country offers so many. While never forgetting not just those that served. The families also often were changed forever.
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My Dad, Nick who served in the 70th Division in Europe and 2d Infantry Division in Korea. To CW4 Bruce Smith and 1LT Brian Slavenas of the Iowa National Guard who flew me in their CH 47 all over Iraq in 2003. They paid the ultimate price on November 2, 2003 when their Chinook, carrying 50 plus Soldiers to Baghdad was hit by an RPG. Although 16 perished and 15 were seriously injured, they were able to land the bird in a manner which allowed many to survive. Bruce and Brian…till we meet again at Fiddlers Green.
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From the Army Aviation Heritage Foundation:
“Hope everyone is having a meaningful Memorial Day weekend. The Foundation would like to pass on a bit of a heads up for those of you in the Atlanta area while you might be out and about this Memorial Day. Jim Brennan passed along the news that his old Guard unit will be conducting a four-ship formation flight over several local hospitals and two cemeteries, to honor our health care workers and those Service Members who have paid the ultimate price in service to our country. The flight of four is set to depart Dobbins at 1000 hrs, so do keep an eye out for them in the local area!Hope everyone is having a meaningful Memorial Day weekend. The Foundation would like to pass on a bit of a heads up for those of you in the Atlanta area while you might be out and about this Memorial Day. Jim Brennan passed along the news that his old Guard unit will be conducting a four-ship formation flight over several local hospitals and two cemeteries, to honor our health care workers and those Service Members who have paid the ultimate price in service to our country. The flight of four is set to depart Dobbins at 1000 hrs, so do keep an eye out for them in the local area!
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Hope everyone is having a meaningful Memorial Day weekend. The Foundation would like to pass on a bit of a heads up for those of you in the Atlanta area while you might be out and about this Memorial Day. Jim Brennan passed along the news that his old Guard unit will be conducting a four-ship formation flight over several local hospitals and two cemeteries, to honor our health care workers and those Service Members who have paid the ultimate price in service to our country. The flight of four is set to depart Dobbins at 1000 hrs, so do keep an eye out for them in the local area!
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sorry for the dupe
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My uncle for whom I am named, Lt. Col. Amzi Rudolph Quillian, 2nd Armored Division (“Hell on Wheels”), wounded in France late July 1944, died in England August 4, 1944. Buried with his fellows in the American Cemetary, Normandy,
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Some of you may find this interesting – I did.
How many steps does the guard take during his
walk across the Tomb of the Unknown and why?
21 steps. It alludes to the twenty-one gun salute, which is the highest honor given any military or foreign dignitary.
How long does he wait after his about face to begin his return walk and why?
21 seconds for the same reason as above.
Why are his gloves wet?
His gloves are moistened to prevent his losing his grip on the rifle.
Does he carry his rifle on the same shoulder all the time and if not, why not?
He carries the rifle on the shoulder away from the tomb. After his march across the path, he executes an about face and moves the rifle to the outside shoulder.
How often are the guards changed?
Guards are changed every thirty minutes, twenty-four hours a day, 365 days a year.
What are the physical traits of the guard limited to?
For a person to apply for guard duty at the tomb, he must be between 5′ 10′ and 6′ 2′ tall and his waist size cannot exceed 30.’ Other requirements of the Guard:
They must commit 2 years of life to guard the tomb, live in a barracks under the tomb, and cannot drink any alcohol on or off duty for the rest of their lives.
They cannot swear in public for the rest of their lives and cannot disgrace the uniform {fighting} or the tomb in any way. After two years, the guard is given a wreath pin that is worn on their lapel signifying they served as guard of the tomb. There are only 400 presently worn.
The guard must obey these rules for the rest of their lives or give up the wreath pin.
The shoes are specially made with very thick soles to keep the heat and cold from their feet. There are metal heel plates that extend to the top of the shoe in order to make the loud click as they come to a halt.
There are no wrinkles, folds or lint on the uniform.
Guards dress for duty in front of a full-length mirror.
The first six months of duty a guard cannot talk to anyone, nor watch TV.
All off duty time is spent studying the 175 notable people laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery. A guard must memorize who they are and where they are interred.
Among the notables are: President Taft, Joe E. Lewis {the boxer} and Medal of Honor recipient Audie Murphy, {the most decorated soldier of WWII} of Hollywood fame.
Every guard spends five hours a day getting his uniforms ready for guard duty.
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Good stuff Spur. Last century, I was the Recruiting Company Commander in Northern Virginia. About 4 of my recruiters had been in the Old Guard. I got a personal tour of their “bunker” where they stay for the 24 hour shift. Incredible dedication and meticulous preparation for their duties.
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My Drill Sergeant in basic training was in the Old Guard prior to being tasked to TRADOC. Needless to say our platoon was squared away on D & C. When we were in the field for a night we had to execute the manual of arms while pulling guard duty. I’m sure if someone handed me a weapon I could still execute every movement by muscle memory.
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Arlington is the best place to visit in DC. I also received a personalized tour with the Guard in high school after our group laid a wreath at the tomb. The young enlisted men on that post are the best of the best. Those guys were only 5-7 years older than me at the time, but they appeared to be giants.
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Some years ago when my youngest daughter was in middle school we stopped in the DC area. She insisted we had to see Arlington because one of her teachers had told the class they had to see the cemetery if they were ever close. Thurgood Marshall had recently passed away and we found his grave close to the Kennedy gravesite. Also found Audie Murphy’s grave because he was a hero of mine. The whole experience made quite an impression on a 13 year old and afforded many meaningful opportunities to talk history. A big thanks to that middle school teacher.
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SSGT Reynolds with The Old Guard tightened my Blues up. Cut off the jacket buttons and reattached them with tiny safety pins. Took me to the Korean tailor and with a piece of chalk showed her where to cut and sew to fit perfectly. I looked good enough that the notorious Mrs General Burba commented positively on my appearance in a receiving line. I certainly fared better than my El Tee buddy who wore Rottencrotch on his name tag.
Then I went to Ranger School and wore my Blues to my wedding ten days after graduation. Looked like a blue tater sack hanging on my skinny ass.
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Thanks to all who gave the ultimate sacrifice…
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https://www.latimes.com/sports/story/2020-05-25/pat-tillman-arizona-cardinals-football-player-soldier-died-afghanistan-memorial-day
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A few ago I had a really coincidental meeting. It was September and the bye week between Clemson and South Carolina. I take small groups to Europe and this time i took a group to Bruges, Normandy and Paris. Have a nice B&B I stay at near Villers Boccage. We were in the American sector at the Airborne Museum in Ste. Mere Eglise. I was outside one of the 5 or 6 buildings that make up the complex. A gentleman in a red baseball cap was approaching with some other people. He got closer and I could see that glorious G. I yelled Go Dawgs. He yelled back, Go Dawgs. He got closer and I’ll be damned if it wasn’t Coach Dooley. He had always had Normandy on his bucket list and he opted to take the bye week like I had. I believe it was his birthday also, but it was cool. The ladies in my group were upset that I hadn’t gotten a photo, but I was too busy talking football and telling him about the cemetery he was headed to at Colleville sur Mer.
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Wow … great story!
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