Off topic: My son (and others) shipping out for the Gulf...

RGL · January 13, 2003 8:53AM

Well, my son called tonight with the news I long expected. A Marines corporal in intelligence with an air wing (medium assault and transport helicopters), he and his unit are shipping out Wednesday aboard the USS Saipan, an amphibious assault ship. No end to the worry, but at least he stays at base/on the ship and is not on the front line flying or toting a M-16 like so many others. (And, I am not disclosing any state/military secrets. It has been on the news. Pentagon confirmed over the weekend an additional 62,000 military are on the way to the Persian Gulf to be in place by mid- to late-February.) He joined pre-9/11, and I certainly never expected all of this. A little prayer and kind thoughts tonight, board members, for all our men and women headed into harm's way. I know others, including Army SFC Toners, are awaiting the call... We are all in their debt. Semper Fi! (Latin for always faithful)

merz2 · January 13, 2003 8:59AM

RGL
As an ex jarhead,I hope and pray for his and their safe return !

Outhaul · January 13, 2003 9:02AM

As a retired military type, my thoughts and prayers are always with our servicemen and women.

Cheers,

Bob

DHeath · January 13, 2003 9:02AM

They are all in my thoughts.

BSqr · January 13, 2003 9:21AM

RGL,

Semper Fidelis

PhillyJoe · January 13, 2003 9:24AM

I want peace in the world, cruel dictators overthrown by their own people, and all of our service people returned safely to their families. I'll say a prayer that my wish comes true.

Joe

rkfish · January 13, 2003 9:28AM

RGL,

A prayer has been said for all the members of our military protecting our great country! God Bless!

itsnotjustme · January 13, 2003 9:45AM

As I told one of my guys that went...

Stay safe
Do great work
Thanks for your service

AbesNeighbor · January 13, 2003 9:51AM

I'm an old army vet (Not too old) and I'll pray for him... somtimes we throw the word peace around, but there is a word just as important in my mind and that is FREEDOM. I pray that those fighting for our freedom will all return safely with the mission accomplished.

Dan

dakra · January 13, 2003 9:56AM

I'm trying to figure out how to word this without giving any pertinant information away. My wife works for a company that members of the military purchase from. Many of the purchase orders have been put on hold or cancelled. What we have deduced is that military action is not too far away.

It kind of makes you think, With Afganistan and Iraq.... what happens if North Korea (or is it South) threatens us in any way?

-Dave

airplanenut · January 13, 2003 10:19AM

<< <i>As a retired military type, my thoughts and prayers are always with our servicemen and women.

Cheers, Bob >>

I've been looking for that smiley for a while, Bob.

I, too, salute all defending our country.

EVillageProwler · January 13, 2003 10:41AM

God, I hate the thought of war. It generally means that someone will die, and that usually includes the poor chump who didn't know better that Saddam isn't worth fighting for.

Most of all, I really wish that our service personnel all come home safe and sound. Even the dissenters among us should remember that we owe our respect to our servicemen and women who freely took on the responsibility of fighting for our freedoms -- including the freedom to dissent.

EVP

MrKelso · January 13, 2003 10:57AM

This Former United States Army Specialist 5th class will pray to the almighty God That all will return to there families safe and sound. And if called to Duty this old soldier will join his friends to defend the freedom of peoples every where on earth.

APA1709 · January 13, 2003 11:02AM

RGL,

I am active duty Navy, 24 years of service, stationed in Norfolk, SAIPAN is a fine ship, he's in good hands and he goes with our prayers. God speed!

RGL · January 13, 2003 11:14AM

I don't care what those jarheads say, the Navy is OK by me!

You veterans take care of our young leathernecks, I am sure you will. My late father was a Navy vet, a machinist mate on the USS Tanner (Korea).

Libertad · January 13, 2003 11:27AM

I drilled this weekend with my Air Guard unit, and my former Army Reserve unit was called up a couple months ago. I'm a medical officer, and served in Desert Storm/Shield in Saudi in 90-91.

The Marines impressed us at our desert mobile hospital unit then, and so did the Brits and French, as well as Army troops particularly the 1st Cav and the 101 Airborne who were close by until the sweep to the coast.

Freedom isn't free, and as we hope for the safe journey and tour, come war or peace, I'll remember all those who went before as patriots who took their freedom to heart for themselves and us today.

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your son tonight, with my salute and 'Hooaugh'!

APA1709 · January 13, 2003 11:30AM

And let's keep in mind......the Navy and Marine Corps are ONE team!!! Department of the Navy

RGL · January 13, 2003 11:32AM

Good point, APA. And, another Marine trivia bit, not many know ... The Marines stand sentry at the White House and at our embassies because they are the only branch of the military that reports directly to the President (as misguided as Dubya may be in this instance, but I still unhesitantly support our military.) The Corps is the only branch that can be directly dispatched by the President without going through Congress.

pmh1nic · January 13, 2003 11:38AM

RGL

Your son and all of our troops will be in my prayers.

presleyh · January 13, 2003 11:40AM

I am thankful to all you vets and to those who go now. However, I still have not heard one good reason for sending our children to Iraq to fight and possibly die on foreign soil. If we must fight in Iraq, let it be all out total destruction or don't go at all. But why shed any American blood without a very good reason? Our soldiers go because that's their job. Our job as middle aged, middle class is to ask why they are going. I am not convinced that a good reason exists. I support and pray for the safe return of all our soldiers and sailers, but I pray more that reason will prevail and war will be the last option chosen.

airplanenut · January 13, 2003 11:45AM

<< <i>However, I still have not heard one good reason for sending our children to Iraq to fight and possibly die on foreign soil. >>

There isn't one.

RGL · January 13, 2003 12:14PM

LINK to a CNN story about my son's specific deployment, complete with a pix of his ride -- the USS Saipan.

BSqr · January 13, 2003 12:17PM

Hey RGL,

Since you dissed Mr. Bush and are such a foeign policy expert how about you share your preferred course of action and enlighten me.

EVillageProwler · January 13, 2003 12:34PM

I can see this possibly becoming a passionate debate about the merits of war and peace. Nevertheless, let us never blame the brave men and women who joined the service in defence of our way of life. Much as I hate our action in Southeast Asia/Vietnam, I feel that it was wrong for those of us who didn't agree with that action to take it out against our soldiers.

The decision to go to war is always made by men who do not have to risk their own blood.

I still hold out hope for peace, but if war must be, then I hope that our sophisticated technology will allow us to end the war expiditiously and a minimum of bloodshed.

It is not likely, however, that I will mourn for the demise of Saddam and the Ba'ath Party leadership.

EVP

RGL · January 13, 2003 12:36PM

Unless our intel is totally helpless/hapless, we can't take out one man either within or with a precision strike when we know where he is? Supposedly the greatest power with the greatest assets on this planet? C'mon ... Sure, assassination is illegal, but how much has gone on we don't have a clue about? This country turns on one man and some of his closest zealots .. take 'em out. Junior is out to avenge, daddy. Don't get me wrong, Saddam must go, but there are better and less lethal (to our side) ways ...

originalisbest · January 13, 2003 12:37PM

I'll concur thoroughly with EVillProwler on this.

RGL · January 13, 2003 12:37PM

My son has read this thread and appreciates the well wishes and kind thoughts. My thanks to all for their support.

BSqr · January 13, 2003 12:53PM

So President Bush is out to get Saddam for revenge on behalf of his father. You have got to be kidding. If you believe that then you are one of those liberal whack jobs that believes Gore should be president becuase he received more popular vote (even though the Constitution dictates electoral vote) and that the SCOTUS handed the Presidency to GW Bush. For his sake, I sure hope you don't relay that ignorant propoganda to your son. It's all about oil too -- right???...

EVillageProwler - fightin communism was a noble cause. South Vietnam didn't want to be enslaved and we tried to spare them. If you think that is an unworthy cause then you too are probably a relic of the post-modern 60s. You'd do well to talk some of the Vietnamese boat people who came to America after the South fell to the commies.

I've said my piece so I'll leave this issue be.

To all the Teufelhundes out there, God speed!

smprfi · January 13, 2003 12:59PM

Not to fret. He has been trained well along with the other people in his unit.
Myprayers to your son and all the other service people.

P.S. Thanks for your concern of not divulging National secrets.Not all parents think of that when they talk about their children in the military.

Bear · January 13, 2003 1:09PM

The prayers of an old Army Vet goes with your son and all who go

in harms way. Bear

EVillageProwler · January 13, 2003 1:23PM

EVillageProwler - fightin communism was a noble cause. South Vietnam didn't want to be enslaved and we tried to spare them. If you think that is an unworthy cause then you too are probably a relic of the post-modern 60s. You'd do well to talk some of the Vietnamese boat people who came to America after the South fell to the commies.

Fighting communism was a noble cause. I am Chinese, and most of my parents' families successfully fled the mainland in the late 1940's. One of my aunts was ``re-educated'' to death by them, and my family is staunchly pro-Kuomingtang.

As for Vietnam, the action to which I referred was our decision not to back Ho Chi Minh and his independence movement. At the time (1946), Ho drafted a constitution for his nascent country modelled after the famed words of Thomas Jefferson. Yet, our politicians sided with de Gaulle and his dream of a ``greater France.'' Our OSS and military personnel was against this policy decision, but what can they do?

It was this action that I do not support.

So, BSqr, I am quite capable of making up my own mind regarding communism and need no lecture from you.

EVP

Bear · January 13, 2003 1:33PM

Bsqr - When the troops embark for combat, the politics and rhetoric ends. Where the

American flag leads, there will be the hearts of the American people.

Woodwind · January 13, 2003 1:38PM

RGL, I will have my church pray for your son as well as all the troops being sent over to the Gulf.

While some of us don't agree with President Bush, I really feel we also need to pray for him and his adminstration as well.

As an Army reservist, who knows? I may get that call up and need prayer.

Thenewguy · January 13, 2003 1:52PM

I pray for your son and all our men and women that will be put in harms way. As for letting any "secrets" slip out I wouldn't worry about that, CNN has that base covered.
TNG

Mrpawn · January 13, 2003 2:10PM

A prayer for your son and mine. My stepson and several other of my Scouts and Eagle Scouts are on their way in one form or another. I have told a few that if I could go in their place I would - none would have me do so. Kinda strange to know that some long haired Scoutmaster managed to train so many warriors.

barney · January 13, 2003 2:18PM

I've been waiting for a thread like this, though not at a coin collecting forum.

USN: 4/81 - 2/85 STG2 (USNA nominee, Submarine Qualified)
USN Recruit Band-declined MU offer and went to sea on an ASW platform
USS Duncan (FFG-10) 10/81-3/83 Homeport Long Beach CA
USS Lockwood (FF-1064) 4/84 - 1/85 Homeport Yokosuka CA
Honorable Discharge (Medical) 2/85

When I joined, Reagan had just taken office and transformed the military, which of course was in post-Nam shambles, into a world-class
power. The "enemy" was well-defined: communism. The "arms race" was won by the US because the Russians could not keep up. Their
economy imploded and the long suppressed ethnic groups broke out. Germany reunited, the east bloc became free, and things were looking
good. Only one problem: little old squabbles in the former Yugoslavia became horror stories. And the conservative Arab countries, ah,
still feeling the sting of Israel and the imperialistic US lusting after their oil, now were moving to the forefront...and now we have a once-US
ally, Iraq, one one front, now squarely in the crosshairs of America again, ready to pounce 12 years after the Kuwaiti thing.

I was in LA when Iraq I broke out, and I felt terribly guilty. I felt I should have been part of it. I knew so many reservists back East that had
been called up. I nearly gambled and drank myself to death. I drank a pint of brandy in 5 minutes after seeing my highly decorated
Viet-nam vet roommates Army blues-with the bronze star and other regalia.

I hated the service but understood its purpose. I wanted to step away from a crappy life and do something honorable. I would have had
no problem fighting and dying for freedom. I knew back then how valuable freedom was-it meant more to me than anything. Even though
I was very screwed up back then, I wanted to do SOMETHING!!! Hell, I wasn't military material. I had no athletic talent (that's why
I did not follow through with Annapolis), little common sense, and didn't get along with people.

Well, it's 2003, and I am about to be awarded 100% disability for bipolar disorder. The VA has put me through school since 1997, during
which time I have earned a Bachelor of Music degree and am now in a graduate music program at San Diego State.

I lost a friend (MJ Wrubel RM2) on my first ship. I just lost an ex-Marine musican friend due to a car accident. I have traveled to Europe
the past 2 years and will return to Europe in June and will sing in Italy.

I have my questions about Bush and his cats. What are the motivations? I spent last summer laying low while listing to anti-American
rhetoric and watching spoiled American kids act totally aloof to what is going on. When folks cross the line into military life, better get
ready for reveille.

For those in the service now, I wish them all the best. As someone at this thread said, those in a position to accurately promulgate an
alternative to the current policy please do so. Remember, there is something called "classified information." Let's pray that that information
is accurate and will save more lives than it will cost.

Peace,
barn

Loki · January 13, 2003 2:45PM

There is something to be said about the "Threat" of war with no loss of life, rather than the "Act" of war with loss of life. A threat can be diffused without bloodshed; a war cannot. Let us not forget who will be on the front lines if the threat is taken further. If that is to be the outcome, let it be for the good of the world rather than the fulfillment of a political promise. My thoughts and prayers go out to all our uniformed countrymen and women and our allies during these troubled times.

FlyTooHigh · January 13, 2003 2:54PM

RGL:

I hope it works out for the best. I was in the Air Force from 1964 to 1968 and am a decorated Vietnam Vet (yeah, I know most people here don't give a damn!). I remember coming home in 1969 and going to college (GI Bill) and having a complete bunch of as_holes locking up the Engineering Department building (where I wanted to go) as a protest. Now, my daughter, who is 23, is going in the Army next month. She will be in health care. So my best to your son and may he serve our great country to the best of his abilities.

I feel for the people here that do not understand or that do not wish to understand the meaning of serving your (our) country. They have not seen or felt the pain of the lack of freedom that we take for granted.

EVillage said (and I agree): The decision to go to war is always made by men who do not have to risk their own blood.

But that is the way it is.

So be it! Tony

FlyTooHigh · January 13, 2003 3:01PM

ttt

MrKelso · January 13, 2003 6:43PM

<< <i>I feel for the people here that do not understand or that do not wish to understand the meaning of serving your (our) country. They have not seen or felt the pain of the lack of freedom that we take for granted >>

WE hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness

Fairlaneman · January 13, 2003 9:33PM

It is a real shame that Mothers and Fathers must be put through the agony again of wondering if a sibling will return from another armed conflict. When I shipped off to Viet Nam in the late 60's it really did not even enter the mind about what was going on in the parents head. Only when I returned, walked into the Tavern my folks owned, said Hi to Mom and then she walked out from behide the Bar gave me a Big Hug and then she sat down and ordred us a Beer and Wine from the Lady that was helping her, did I know a Huge Relief had came over her. BTW that was the First time I ever saw My Mother drink a alcohol beverage.

My Prays are for our Servicemen and Women and also for the Parents that must endure agony.

Ken

PTVETTER · January 13, 2003 9:53PM

I was active duty from june 1967 to jun 1971.
I am active duty NOW from jan 1990 to present.

God bless all vets past, present and those yet to serve.

Who ever said the pen is mightier than the sword, never stood on the battle field with just a pen. When word of reason fail, cold steel, and hot lead will takes is place.

I am proud of all serving, they are the BEST of the BEST.
NO ONE is better then today's service men and women.

MacCoin · January 13, 2003 11:11PM

this guy is still waiting to be call my oldest son

MacCoin · January 13, 2003 11:13PM

my youngest boy left last week. God please look out for all of our kids over there

asnooker · January 13, 2003 11:19PM

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your son, as well as all of our men & women in uniform! Most of them joined for the GI Bill and are getting waaaaaaay more than anyone ever expected. God Bless them all!

paigowjohnny · January 13, 2003 11:46PM

Once a Marine...always a Marine
Every Marine a rifleman
Semper Fi...and God bless to your boy.

CDR Paigow_johnny, USN

JimsSportsCards · January 17, 2003 10:45AM

Our Troops are always in our prayers at our house! My Son is in the Air Force! He was over there Christmas a year ago! I knew about where he was but they couldn't tell us exactly where untill later on. It keeps you in touch with the Good Lord. I will pray for your son & all our troops who protect our country! God Bless You All. Jim at JimsSportsCards

dwood · January 17, 2003 11:03AM

The thoughts and prayers, and SINCERE APPRECIATION of my entire family are with you, your son, and all the soldiers and their families who "make it so."

Thanks for raising a fine man, and tell him an old redneck down in Bama respects the HELL out of him!

Godspeed!

RGL · January 17, 2003 12:13PM

I have a chill from reading all the support and concern expressed my fellow forum members. A fellow father's salute for the fine son of Mac and all others here who are serving or sending their loved ones. My humble thanks. A surprise this morning: An e-mail from my son from somewhere in the Atlantic ... the layout of the ship is confusing and it is hard to sleep with the lights on! And, some good news amid the turmoil: Just before he left, his captain told him to make sure he bought sergeant insignias for his cammies and cover before he left base. It would appear he is in line to make sergeant before he returns and in less than three years in the USMC. I am proud of him, but then all fathers are proud of all their kids. At 20, he sees it all as a great adventure and finally doing what he was trained to do. I know we -- and he -- will prevail. Thanks for the prayers, good wishes and support. There are a lot of patriots here. God bless you all -- and our forces.

stujoe · January 17, 2003 1:27PM

My prayers are also with your son. I am in the AF (14 years now) and, even though I am just a medical support guy, I may be in the desert in the coming months doing any number of things directly related to my peace time job or not related at all. I know my family gets nervous about such things as well but, as I tell my wife, we choose to serve and it is our job. We are trained to do what we do and we do it.

God Bless.

RGL · January 17, 2003 1:35PM

Stu: You are "just" not anything but someone to be admired. As you know, every position in the military is important, one breaks down without the other. Do not under estimate your importance. I appreciate the role every military man and woman plays, including yourself. A salute, sir.

Off topic: My son (and others) shipping out for the Gulf...

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