Remembrance

Cole May 29th, 2011 at 11:30 am

Oblat is a french word is it not. Seem to recall many Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marine, and Coast Guardsmen losing their lives over the past century defending not their own shores, but those of allies like France. Recall that the U.S. prevented Muslim genocide in the the 1980s Afghanistan, and 1990s Kuwait/Balkans, only to be repaid by 9/11 and other terrorist acts. Forward-deployed U.S. forces in Germany and Japan are there not because we are imperialists or occupiers, but due to friendship with other allies who once were enemies. They sit in Korea and Germany (covering France’s flank) contributing to their defense and dramatic economic improvement because they could spend less on defense due to U.S. presence.

France has come a long way under Sarkozy. They are a full partner in Afghanistan, fighting pirates and terrorism, and leading in Libya. This continued allied assumption of a greater share of defense efforts is essential. No longer can the U.S. afford to cover the “global commons” spending excessively on air/seapower that other countries should have spent themselves. No longer should the U.S. lose the bulk of lost sons/daughters fighting for sometimes ungrateful allies…like you.

Cole May 29th, 2011 at 11:10 pm

From Secretary of Defense Gate’s commencement speech at the Naval Academy:

“At Texas A&M I would walk the campus, and I would see thousands of students aged 18–25, typically wearing t-shirts and shorts and backpacks. The day after I became Secretary of Defense, in December 2006, I made my first visit to the war theater. And there I encountered other young men and women also 18 to 25. Except they were wearing body armor and carrying assault rifles, putting their lives at risk for all Americans. And I knew that some of them would not make it home whole, and that some would not make it home at all.

I knew then that soon all those in harm’s way would be there because I sent them. Ever since, I have come to work every day, with a sense of personal responsibility for each and every young American in uniform – as if you were my own sons and daughters. My only prayer is that you serve with honor and come home safely. I personally thank you from the bottom of my heart for your service.”

freefallingbomb May 31st, 2011 at 5:44 am

Better: When Gates held that speech, he knew in advance these lowly grunts were unable to answer back to him.

Their blood, his glory!

And when Gates retires later this year, the President will also tell him pompously “I want to tell you that our great nation appreciates your sacrifice”, wanna bet?

Puckindog 01 June 1st, 2011 at 4:28 am

God Bless our Warriors and there families for their Sacrifice and their Love of Country. It is said: that a Great Country can be known by the way it remembers its fallen heroes. The Bible clearly states: That, “Greater Love has NO MAN than to lay down his life for his Friends” These individuals laid down their life’s as Christ did on the cross, for all of us. We need to vigilantly continue to pray for their Families, Children and our President that he will make the right decisions and these brave families never forget our Love for them.