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Thread: War Stories

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    Default War Stories

    For years, I have been badgering some vets I know to write down their experiences in the US military. I have been writing mine and sent a few examples to the other vets. It is starting to pay off.

    One guy was aboard an aircraft carrier in the Pacific in WW II. He dictated his stories into a digital recorder and one of his grand daughters transcribed them to her computer and printed them on paper, as well as saving them other ways digitally.

    One guy was a musician in the special services in Korea. He types his stories into his computer and sends them to me. I print them and keep them in a binder.

    Another guy was a helicopter pilot in Vietnam. He has promised to print them as they are written.

    Me, I was a cold warrior. My stories are not very exciting but, dammit, I am writing them anyway!

    You other vets out there: write 'em down and get 'em on paper. Time's a-wastin' !!!!
    "Nothing is enough for the man to whom enough is too little." -Epicurus-

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    Default Re: War Stories

    Other than continuing glorification of militarism and war, I see no point in this.

    We're turning veterans into a fetish in this country, and I'm sick of it. I refuse to participate in your fetish.

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    Default Re: War Stories

    Quote Originally Posted by Brilliant Bill View Post
    Other than continuing glorification of militarism and war, I see no point in this.

    We're turning veterans into a fetish in this country, and I'm sick of it. I refuse to participate in your fetish.
    I think that's rather unpleasant. War has been part of human history since the beginning of time. Turning your back on it won't make it go away. Recounting what happened isn't necessarily "glorification of militarism and war".
    Regards,
    Deb
    My Blog

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    Default Re: War Stories

    We had the honor and privilege of providing the funeral for a WWll Marine veteran. He was awarded the Bronze Star and was part of the famed "Lost Battalion" which remained on active duty for three straight years and fought in every battle of the Pacific.

    Then he came home, got married, raised his kids, and worked his farm.

    We buried him with a full Marine Honor Guard and, though our profession does not allow us to cry on duty, I let the wind in the Texas cemetery dry a couple heartfelt tears.
    "Nolo esse salus sine vobis ...” —St. Augustine

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    Default Re: War Stories

    Quote Originally Posted by Brilliant Bill View Post
    Other than continuing glorification of militarism and war, I see no point in this.

    We're turning veterans into a fetish in this country, and I'm sick of it. I refuse to participate in your fetish.
    Then please move on.

    But this saying strikes me: "No one likes a soldier until the enemy is at the gates".
    "Nolo esse salus sine vobis ...” —St. Augustine

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    Senior Member VertOlive's Avatar
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    Default Re: War Stories

    So. 2pac. Your point?
    Last edited by VertOlive; November 5th, 2017 at 06:25 PM.
    "Nolo esse salus sine vobis ...” —St. Augustine

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    Default Re: War Stories

    I was a reluctant soldier but, in my search for the "whichness of the why", I found that:

    The anti-war people got their facts from the hose on a bong.
    The pro-war people got their facts from the official government propaganda.
    The press manufactured their facts wholesale. (I have proof)

    I decided to allow myself to be drafted and to fight for freedom. My freedom. If someone else's freedom came along for the ride, so be it and good luck to them. Now, I can demand my freedom because I fought for it. Think what you want; I refuse to hide.
    "Nothing is enough for the man to whom enough is too little." -Epicurus-

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    Cool Re: War Stories

    Quote Originally Posted by VertOlive View Post
    So. 2pac. Your point?
    I think the Swiss have the right idea - gun ownership should be compulsory. But then, they actually have one of the few true democracies in the world...

    I, personally, don't have any problem with people who choose to serve in a professional armed forces, however, i raise an eyebrow at some of the oaths of allegiance; the only reason one should be committing to using lethal force against another human and obeying lawfully given orders should be for the protection of the people and the rule of law - 'god', the Queen or other unelected/elected 'leader' (why do we need/want those, anyway?!), or a concept of state/flag (except, perhaps, the UN) have no relevance and should be ignored with extreme prejudice.

    More evidence that compulsory gun ownership is a good thing - Kennesaw, Georgia

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    Default Re: War Stories

    I retired as a Navy Combat Camera photojournalist and lived at the tip of the spear. I told the service members' story for two decades. After that worked 2 years as managing editor for a magazine that helped military transition to civilians. Then a decade working at the VA helping Veterans get care. I am not working with the Air Force to keep our service members healthy and safe.

    A soldier's story is not glorifying war or militarism. Telling the stories of politicians and war does that. The story of a soldier/sailor is one as old as time. The story of someone pressed into service by their government or condition. From the Mesopotamian to the Canadian, civilization has relied on the common soldier to pave the success of any society with the blood, sweat and tears of the soldier. And while the reasons for putting on a uniform varies, once you are in that brotherhood-- the only thing that matters is survival.

    Only a person who has never been in the suck would call a soldier's story glorification. Their thanks is often a hand shake until you become a constant reminder to those who didn't sacrifice. When the soldier asks for help because they gave up their body, mind, soul, career, and family to keep everyone at home comfortable and away from such grotesqueness-- the answer is to call them freeloaders and deny them.

    No veterans that served in combat wants to be treated special. There is nothing they want in their dreams that would be worth that. But their stories are important. Their sacrifice should be noted and shared.

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    Default Re: War Stories

    Another veteran buried today: Army Air Corp during WWII. Served as gunner and mechanic on a B17 throughout the war. Came home and started "Chuck' s Garage", married, and lived long and long. Never left Deaf Smith County again. He died at home at 93 years old, and we buried him with an Honor Guard to present the Flag to his widow.
    "Nolo esse salus sine vobis ...” —St. Augustine

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    Default Re: War Stories

    After the Vietnam war, returning veterans were greeted by cries of "Baby killers!" and were spat upon in the streets by the "love generation."

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    Default Re: War Stories

    We buried a Vietnam Vet this week. He died one year to the date he lost his wife.

    He was also a County Sheriff. The Sheriff's Dept turned out for a full escort and the Veteran's Honor Guard came and presented the flag to his family.

    Rest in Peace, John.
    "Nolo esse salus sine vobis ...” —St. Augustine

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    Default Re: War Stories

    Quote Originally Posted by Paddler View Post
    I was a reluctant soldier but, in my search for the "whichness of the why", I found that:

    The anti-war people got their facts from the hose on a bong.
    The pro-war people got their facts from the official government propaganda.
    The press manufactured their facts wholesale. (I have proof)

    I decided to allow myself to be drafted and to fight for freedom. My freedom. If someone else's freedom came along for the ride, so be it and good luck to them. Now, I can demand my freedom because I fought for it. Think what you want; I refuse to hide.
    One of the most beautiful things I have ever read.

    Thank you Paddler

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    Default Re: War Stories

    Today we have naming of parts. Yesterday,
    We had daily cleaning. And tomorrow morning,
    We shall have what to do after firing. But today,
    Today we have naming of parts. Japonica
    Glistens like coral in all the neighboring gardens,
    And today we have naming of parts.

    This is the lower sling swivel. And this
    Is the upper sling swivel, whose use you will see,
    When you are given your slings. And this is the piling swivel,
    Which in your case you have not got. The branches
    Hold in the gardens their silent, eloquent gestures,
    Which in our case we have not got.

    This is the safety-catch, which is always released
    With an easy flick of the thumb. And please do not let me
    See anyone using his finger. You can do it quite easy
    If you have any strength in your thumb. The blossoms
    Are fragile and motionless, never letting anyone see
    Any of them using their finger.

    And this you can see is the bolt. The purpose of this
    Is to open the breech, as you see. We can slide it
    Rapidly backwards and forwards: we call this
    Easing the spring. And rapidly backwards and forwards
    The early bees are assaulting and fumbling the flowers:
    They call it easing the Spring.

    They call it easing the Spring: it is perfectly easy
    If you have any strength in your thumb: like the bolt,
    And the breech, the cocking-piece, and the point of balance,
    Which in our case we have not got; and the almond blossom
    Silent in all of the gardens and the bees going backwards and forwards,
    For today we have the naming of parts.

    Henry Reed.


    It is only men who find the reasons for war and will to pursue it.

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    Default Re: War Stories

    Quote Originally Posted by Brilliant Bill View Post
    Other than continuing glorification of militarism and war, I see no point in this.

    We're turning veterans into a fetish in this country, and I'm sick of it. I refuse to participate in your fetish.
    You have the right to feel that way because of the military. It is like saying you are sick of supporting the police or the fire department. They serve a purpose and they are manned by citizens who put their lives on the line. There is nothing fetish about honoring those who sacrifice.

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    Default Re: War Stories

    Quote Originally Posted by Empty_of_Clouds View Post

    It is only men who find the reasons for war and will to pursue it.
    It was common in Native American culture for women as a group to publicly ridicule men who didn't show sufficient warrior spirit to go to war. So please spare us the feminist polemics.
    Quid rides? Mutato nomine de te fabula narratur. — Horace
    (What are you laughing at? Just change the name and the joke’s on you.)

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    Default Re: War Stories

    It was a generalisation..

    So, please spare us your lack of statistical understanding.




    ps. in case you're wondering, I am an ex-serviceman
    Last edited by Empty_of_Clouds; April 30th, 2018 at 01:25 PM.

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    Cool Re: War Stories

    Quote Originally Posted by Empty_of_Clouds View Post

    It is only men who find the reasons for war and will to pursue it.
    Only?? nope, not even... Tomyris, Boudicca, Zenobia, Dido, never mind the countless serving voluntarily in the various armed forces of the modern world.

    Last edited by SIR; April 30th, 2018 at 12:37 PM.

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    Default Re: War Stories

    Bring me any argument you like, on almost any subject, and I will find you some outliers that totally disprove it.

    If I say that the statement was made by someone very well-informed on war and highly thought of and revered globally, there would be less likelihood of someone picking at it. Human nature I guess.
    Last edited by Empty_of_Clouds; April 30th, 2018 at 01:30 PM.

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