A friend and veteran of the Air Force sent me the following. I was unable to vouch for the authenticity of the supposed Navy Directive described below, but being a Navy veteran myself that had the pleasure of serving with Marines from time to time in my career, I would say this is definitely NOT outside the realm of possibility.
Regardless, some of these are quite humorous and definitely not politically correct. In light of the ridiculousness of all the PC garbage I have been inundated with lately, this seemed like a good counterbalance. Enjoy!
The following directive was issued by the commanding officer of all naval installations in the Middle East. (It was obviously directed at the Marines.)
U.S. Navy Directive 16134 ( Inappropriate T-Shirts )
To: All Commands Subject: Inappropriate T-Shirts
Ref: ComMidEast For Inst 16134//24 K
All commanders promulgate upon receipt.
The following T-shirts are no longer to be worn on or off base by any military or civilian personnel serving in the Middle East:
1. 'Eat Pork or Die' [both English and Arabic versions]
2. 'Shrine Busters' [Various. Show burning minarets or bomb/artillery shells impacting Islamic shrines. Some with unit logos.]
3. 'Napalm, Sticks Like Crazy' [Both English and Arabic versions]
4. 'Goat - it isn't just for breakfast anymore.' [Both English and Arabic versions]
5. 'The road to Paradise begins with me.' [Mostly Arabic versions, but some in English. Some show sniper scope cross-hairs.]
6. 'Guns don't kill people. I kill people.' [Both Arabic and English versions]
7. 'Pork. The other white meat.' [Arabic version]
8. 'Infidel' [English, Arabic and other coalition force languages.]
The above T-shirts are to be removed from Post Exchanges upon receipt of this directive. In addition, the following signs are to be removed upon receipt of this message:
1. 'Islamic Religious Services Will Be Held at the Firing Range at 0800 Daily.
2. 'Do we really need 'smart bombs' to drop on these dumb bastards?'
All commands are instructed to implement sensitivity training upon receipt.
Showing posts with label Marine Corps. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Marine Corps. Show all posts
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
John Murtha's Legacy
It was announced yesterday that Congressman John Murtha of Pennsylvania passed away due to complications of gall bladder surgery. Now it is certainly not very Christian of me to speak ill of the dead, and the Supreme Judge of Creation is the only one that Mr. Murtha has to answer to now. With that being said my sincere and heartfelt condolences go out to John Murtha's family.However, my own personal opinions, based on the facts that I have seen presented over the years, suggest that Congressman Murtha was the very embodiment of the problems that have plagued our federal government for years.
He was hyper-partisan in a caustic and abrasive manner. He also had the appearance of being corrupt on many levels. To my mind though, Congressman Murtha's greatest transgression was that of accusing Marines in Iraq of being cold blooded killers without evidence. These Marines in question were later exonerated of all charges, and Congressman Murtha refused to apologize to them.
Being a former Marine himself during Viet Nam, Mr. Murtha certainly did not give the benefit of the doubt until the facts were examined. For this and for his refusal to offer any sign of contrition when the Marines in question were found innocent, I regret to say that I have no respect nor honor for the man, despite his passing.
Senator Sherrod Brown, accordingly, put together a petition to decry the fact that the Secretary of the Navy under the Obama administration was awarding Murtha the highest non-employee honor for service rendered. The petition sums up Congressman Murtha's most egregious lack in judgement in my humble opinion.
http://www.petitiononline.com/usmc2009/petition.html
The petition reads:
To: Secretary of the Navy
On March 5, 2009 Congressman John Murtha was awarded the Department of the Navy Distinguished Public Service Award by the Secretary of the Navy, Donald C. Winter. From the press release: It is the highest form of public service recognition bestowed by the Department of the Navy for a non-employee. According to the Department, nominations for this award will be limited to those extraordinary cases where individuals have demonstrated exceptionally outstanding service of substantial and long term benefit to the Navy, Marine Corps, or as Department of the Navy as a whole.
The Citation reads:
Congressman Murtha's selfless devotion to the Nation's Sailors and Marines ensured they were provided the resources necessary to effectively conduct the Global War on Terrorism. His courageous leadership, vision, and loyalty to the men and women of the Department of the Navy greatly contributed to their quality of life and helped create the most modern and highly trained fighting force in history. As Chairman of Subcommittee on Defense of the House Appropriations Committee, Congressman Murtha's tireless advocacy helped maintain the Navy and Marine Corps team at the highest levels of combat readiness to meet the challenges of the 21st century. With grateful appreciation for his outstanding contributions to the Nation and the Navy and Marine Corps, Congressman Murtha is awarded the Department of the Navy Distinguished Public Service Award.
John Murtha deserves no such award. He has routinely and deliberately undermined the United States military, slandered servicemen serving in combat, and caused irreparable damage to our international reputation. While serving as a Representative from Pennsylvania, Murtha called Marines from 3d Battalion, 1st Marines "cold blooded killers" who "murdered innocent civilians." Before an investigation into the Haditha incident was even conducted, Murtha went on numerous television news programs and announced that the Marines "went into houses and killed women and children." He said, "There's no question in my mind about what happened here. There was no gunfire, they killed four people in a taxi...24 people were killed." When asked specifically if he claimed that innocent civilians were intentionally executed by Marines, he said, "That's exactly what happened." Not content to slander those Marines directly involved, he went on to claim that if these Marines were not punished, "other Marines would say well I'll do the same thing." Murtha then continued to use this incident to lobby for the immediate withdrawal of troops from Iraq, citing it as evidence that our military was incapable of winning the war.
Eight Marines were originally charged. As of March 17th, 2009 all charges were dropped against six Marines, one was found not guilty on all counts in courts martial. The prosecution has delayed the court martial of the final defendant indefinitely. The original allegations of a massacre and the statements of Congressman Murtha have been thoroughly discredited. Despite the facts, John Murtha refuses to apologize to those he slandered.
We the undersigned are appalled that the Secretary of the Navy would bestow the Department's highest award for a non-employee to John Murtha after his vile and despicable attacks against U.S. servicemen. This petition is a vehicle to express our bitter disappointment at this betrayal of our combat veterans. Congressman John Murtha should apologize for slandering the Marines of 3/1, and for undermining the efforts of those servicemen and women who fought in Iraq. If he does not, the Secretary of the Navy should rescind this award as a sign of his unwavering support for those who served in combat during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Sincerely,
The Undersigned
It is a petition of which I was unaware until after Congressman Murtha's death, but it is one I would have proudly signed had I known of its existence. I pray that Congressman Murtha does in deed rest in peace now but as the sinful man that I am, I do not mourn his passing. He certainly did NOT represent our greatest of all Nations in a manner befitting it and he did not represent the spirit or motto of the Marine Corps, Semper Fidelis... Always Faithful.
Update: Please note that I have since been notified by Senator Sherrod Brown's press secretary that Senator Brown is not the circulator of the previously mentioned petition. I would not attach any correlation between Senator Brown and this petition accordingly. My apologies to Senator Brown for incorrectly misidentifying the senator with regards to the petition.
On a personal note, despite the passing of Congressman Murtha, I am sorry to say that I am mildly disappointed that this petition did not originate with Senator Brown's office.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Being Worthy of Our Armed Forces
There is this gentleman that hosts a local talk radio show here in upper Utah. He definitely trends to the more conservative side of issues regarding politics and religion. I have listened to him for years on the way into work and have come to think of him as a friend, even though we have never met in person.
With that being said, he also has a background as a newspaper reporter, but that seems like that was back when journalism involved telling the facts of a story rather than the writer's opinion and bias on the subject of which the journalist was reporting supposedly. Anyway, I was struck by this article that my radio friend wrote and thought is was more than worthy of sharing. His name is Bob Lonsberry.
HORNELL, NY – I spent two hours last night in the cold outside Dagon Funeral Home. There were three or four hundred people ahead of me, two retired schoolteachers behind me, and a congressman about a dozen people back.
When I left, in the cold dark, the line still stretched out the front door, left down the sidewalk, around the corner, and back for two blocks.
That’s how it is when a hero dies.
That’s how it is when a small town loses its first such hero. The first since Vietnam.
Lance Corporal Zack Smith was 19.
His high school sweetheart will be a widow on their first anniversary.
And the price of freedom will never be clearer than it was last night in the cold.
The pictures inside showed a young man who could be a model of what a young American man should be. Strong, robust, smiling, obviously full of joy. Ready to tackle the world and whatever it had to offer. In a football uniform, on the golf course, in the arms of his family, in the arms of his bride. In the uniform of the United States Marine Corps. You felt a shiver as you saw and thought.
This is the fruit of America, this is the best we produce, this is the salt of the earth and the foundation of the future. This is what was lost in the south of Afghanistan in the fight to keep the war over there and the peace over here.
On January 31 an explosive went off and three Marines were dead. Eight years at war and thousands lost and this is the price you pay.
Only the odds are you don’t pay it. And neither do I. Odds are it is paid by all-American families from every corner of this country, mothers and fathers and sisters and brothers. Hearts broken, dreams shattered, loves lost.
He was a great kid, a good son, an American patriot.
And in the connections of a small town, in that fabric that is the substance of life’s richness, most of the people in line knew one another, or were related to one another, or felt close to one another.
Zack’s wife’s mother was five years behind me in school. His grandfather was best friends with my uncle, and his great-grandfather worked on the railroad with my grandfather. The guy ahead of me in line was school friends with Zack’s dad, and cousins with his wife’s father.
But the brotherhood in the place was of country, not blood. There was love of Zack and his family, but there was also love of America. A palpable patriotism, expressed in stuttering grace at one time or another by almost all the people in line. There were men in Vietnam veterans hats, Marines with combat medals on their chests, a guy with a 1st Cavalry pin on his lapel, another with a service ribbon, countless with American flag pins. The congressman wore a Naval Academy ring and there were four motorcycle guys out front lining the walk with flags.
This was America. The real America.
Where a state trooper and his wife can raise a son noble enough to wear the uniform of the United States.
Where a community and a culture can give a young man a chance to chase his dreams and be who he wants to be. Where two young people can fall in love and pledge their lives to one another.
Even if that’s barely six months.
Even if a warrior’s homecoming passes through Dagon’s and St. Ann’s on the way to St. Mary’s.
This is America. The real America.
And at the head of the line, inside the warmth of the funeral home, stood the family, shaking hands hour after hour, exchanging hugs and smiles, words and tears, memories and promises. A grandmother who was grateful for offers of prayers, a grandfather who paused to stare ahead and above as the emotion overcame him, a proud brother and loving mother, a father with the physique and the haircut of a Marine himself. And a teen-aged widow with her husband’s embroidered name strip around her wrist.
And a casket where Zack lay in the dress blues of the United States Marine Corps.
That’s what war means.
That’s what freedom costs.
That’s what one family paid.
That’s what a small town lost.
That’s what the rest of us must live worthy of, what we must live up to, what we must never forget.
Last night in the cold, hundreds stood in line to bear witness of their love for a family and their commitment to their country. They quietly waited for a moment to whisper what was in their hearts, and what their presence shouted for all to hear. They quietly waited to say “Thank you,” and “We love you,” and “We will always remember you.”
HORNELL, NY – I spent two hours last night in the cold outside Dagon Funeral Home. There were three or four hundred people ahead of me, two retired schoolteachers behind me, and a congressman about a dozen people back.
When I left, in the cold dark, the line still stretched out the front door, left down the sidewalk, around the corner, and back for two blocks.
That’s how it is when a hero dies.
That’s how it is when a small town loses its first such hero. The first since Vietnam.
Lance Corporal Zack Smith was 19.
His high school sweetheart will be a widow on their first anniversary.
And the price of freedom will never be clearer than it was last night in the cold.
The pictures inside showed a young man who could be a model of what a young American man should be. Strong, robust, smiling, obviously full of joy. Ready to tackle the world and whatever it had to offer. In a football uniform, on the golf course, in the arms of his family, in the arms of his bride. In the uniform of the United States Marine Corps. You felt a shiver as you saw and thought.
This is the fruit of America, this is the best we produce, this is the salt of the earth and the foundation of the future. This is what was lost in the south of Afghanistan in the fight to keep the war over there and the peace over here.
On January 31 an explosive went off and three Marines were dead. Eight years at war and thousands lost and this is the price you pay.
Only the odds are you don’t pay it. And neither do I. Odds are it is paid by all-American families from every corner of this country, mothers and fathers and sisters and brothers. Hearts broken, dreams shattered, loves lost.
He was a great kid, a good son, an American patriot.
And in the connections of a small town, in that fabric that is the substance of life’s richness, most of the people in line knew one another, or were related to one another, or felt close to one another.
Zack’s wife’s mother was five years behind me in school. His grandfather was best friends with my uncle, and his great-grandfather worked on the railroad with my grandfather. The guy ahead of me in line was school friends with Zack’s dad, and cousins with his wife’s father.
But the brotherhood in the place was of country, not blood. There was love of Zack and his family, but there was also love of America. A palpable patriotism, expressed in stuttering grace at one time or another by almost all the people in line. There were men in Vietnam veterans hats, Marines with combat medals on their chests, a guy with a 1st Cavalry pin on his lapel, another with a service ribbon, countless with American flag pins. The congressman wore a Naval Academy ring and there were four motorcycle guys out front lining the walk with flags.
This was America. The real America.
Where a state trooper and his wife can raise a son noble enough to wear the uniform of the United States.
Where a community and a culture can give a young man a chance to chase his dreams and be who he wants to be. Where two young people can fall in love and pledge their lives to one another.
Even if that’s barely six months.
Even if a warrior’s homecoming passes through Dagon’s and St. Ann’s on the way to St. Mary’s.
This is America. The real America.
And at the head of the line, inside the warmth of the funeral home, stood the family, shaking hands hour after hour, exchanging hugs and smiles, words and tears, memories and promises. A grandmother who was grateful for offers of prayers, a grandfather who paused to stare ahead and above as the emotion overcame him, a proud brother and loving mother, a father with the physique and the haircut of a Marine himself. And a teen-aged widow with her husband’s embroidered name strip around her wrist.
And a casket where Zack lay in the dress blues of the United States Marine Corps.
That’s what war means.
That’s what freedom costs.
That’s what one family paid.
That’s what a small town lost.
That’s what the rest of us must live worthy of, what we must live up to, what we must never forget.
Last night in the cold, hundreds stood in line to bear witness of their love for a family and their commitment to their country. They quietly waited for a moment to whisper what was in their hearts, and what their presence shouted for all to hear. They quietly waited to say “Thank you,” and “We love you,” and “We will always remember you.”
- by Bob Lonsberry © 2010
Mr. Lonsberry is unequivocally correct.
My thanks goes out to everyone serving or that has served in an American armed forces uniform. You all are my heroes and while I often pray for the safety of every last one of you, I also pray that I am worthy of the protection of our God-given freedoms that your service and sacrifices provides. So my humble and heartfelt thanks to my friends still in the service, to soldier mommy, to Free0352, and to everyone that puts himself in harms way for us. God bless you all!
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Happy Birthday to the Marine Corps
On November 10th, 1775, a meeting was held by a committee of the continental congress at Tun's Tavern. The purpose of that meeting was to form a needed fighting force that could operate on sea and on land. At the close of that meeting, the formation of two battalions of Marines were authorized and the United States Marine Corps was born.
Having served in the Navy myself, I find that I love the Marines in the same way that an older brother loves and puts up with a precocious, tough, and obnoxious younger brother. It strikes me as appropriate that the Marine Corp was born in a tavern, accordingly. The men, and women, of this arm of the United States armed forces is perhaps the proudest and definitely the toughest fighting force the world has ever seen. They are also by far the smallest branch of the armed forces.
I have had the privilege of serving with and being friends with several Marines over the years. Everyone one of them was and is a good man that embodies the spirit of the Marine Corp motto, Semper Fidelis. (Always Faithful) So on this day of the 234th birthday of the Corp, I want to say thank you to all of you fantastic Marines out there and Happy Birthday to the tip of the U.S. spear. Just remember though, that the Marines still fall under the Department of the Navy!
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