USMC

[Buzz]

Looks like kind of slow day so I might as well stir up the pot.   

Last week I spent 3 days driving my truck at the US Marine Base Twentynine Palms, CA. It's about a 3 hour drive from my house to 29 Palms, Tuesday I took my low Bed Trailer and moved a 80,000 pound Excavator ( big back hoe )  about a half mile, waited about 3 hours and moved it back to where I picked it up from, and came home. Thur. and Friday I was back out there with my dump trailer and hauled broken concrete off base.  We were working inside one of the many motor pools they have, Marines were parking trucks in my way and I was parking in their way when loading the concrete, but we made it work. Now as a young lad I joined the US Navy and from day one we were taught to dislike a Marine, to this day I don't think I can count more than 4 or 5 former Marines that I can call a Friend. Need less to say when  first got out there all I saw was hundreds of dick heads running around. Then I got to thinking and left there with a attitude adjustment.  These guys are no more than babies walking around carring a big rifle. ( was I ever that young ) Just think they are either just back from Afghanistan are on their way to that God awful place, and if they want a beer they have to get someone older to buy it for them. No other way of putting it this is "fucked up"

I guess when it's all said and done, will I now learn to like a Jar-head? I doubt it but they sures hell have my respect.

[Fourbyracer]

Buzz, I volunteer my time to the USO driving those same Marines from the Palm Springs Airport to the base and back.  Round trip for me is 170 miles.  Doing it though has been an enlightening experience.  These are just kids as you say, with no real choices on anything.  Listening to their stories and their views on life is pretty amazing.  I truely appreciate their service, and your service, and thank all who have served and protected our way of life.  I have always respected service members and what they do for Americans, but hearing their stories and the challenges they face has turned them into heroes in my eyes.  I am glad to count some Jarheads as my friends, even a squid or 2!

I think American Hero Chris Kyle said it best; "If you hate the war, that’s fine.  But you should still support the troops. They don’t get to pick where they’re deployed. They just gave the American people a blank check for anything up to and including the value of their lives, and the least everyone else can do is be thankful. Buy them dinner. Mow their yard. Bake them cookies.â€�