I want to share this with those who would listen (MIC)
This is a letter I'm sending off to my 4th cousin today.
Dear (first-name),
As I told you, the last time I tried to warn a (Surname), my sister’s grandson not to join the Marines [military] I was told to mind my own business by his mother, my niece. The last I heard that boy was crying wanting to get out, and come home.
I was in the Marines from October 1960 to July 1965, 4 years 9 months. The first day in boot camp the others and I knew we made a serious mistake and would have gotten out if we could. The reasons I joined the Marines were that I wanted to prove myself, the Dress Blue uniform, and the manliness of it. Was I wrong ! If you call being tormented and mis-treated everyday in one way or another proving yourself, you deserve to be in the SUCK (USMC). I never had Dress Blues... knew less than a handful below the rank of sergeant [lifers] that did. Stop and think about it, where would you would wear Dress Blues anyway, nobody is going to invite you to the Marine Corps Ball; you could though, wear them to the mall, ha, ha, ha. As far manliness goes, imo they are idiots. You are welcome to find out for yourself, I did.
I was in all three Marine Divisions; almost got my ass killed in Guantanamo during the Cuban Missile Crisis October 1962, Vietnam 1964, and Dominican Republic 1965. I have been selling all my medals (6) at garage sales. What I cannot sell, I will throw away before my children, and grandchildren see them. I did not have to talk my son out of joining, he went to an Army pre-boot camp when he was ten years old along with his sister and her boyfriend, he did not like it, and was warned by an army recruit there not to join. My daughter was having problems and wanted to join the Marines, and I had to talk her out of it. Her best girlfriend joined the army, and she is now seven different kinds of fu@ked up to Sunday !
I sent three books about General Smedley Darlington Butler to your grandpa (Surname) [Marine Peleliu Veteran] for you to read: War is a Racket, Maverick Marine, and The Plot to Seize the White House. Get over there and ask him for those books before it is too late for you. Remember where you heard it first.
You do not have to go if you signed up; they will threaten you to scare you, but do not believe them. If you need help or advice I will help you, you are a (Surname). My phone (blank), email, (blank).
My grandfather, Private Richard (Surname) USMC was wounded badly in France WW I and told my dad and his brother, if there is another war, I am going to take you two boys out and personally shoot you myself. My Grandfather, Richard (Surname) committed suicide after being committed (PTSD) at Great Lakes Naval Hospital, he hung himself.
Godspeed in whatever you decide to do.
Sincerely yours,
(name) aka Bonhomme Richard
Thank you for sharing
this, very wise advice. "War is a Racket". Bring Our Troops Home not messed up.
Prepare & Share the Message of Freedom through Positive-Peaceful-Activism.
The beginning of the story
http://www.dailypaul.com/node/99912
"Obamney care," Nuff said.
There is now a precedent for any soldier to get out
http://www.dailypaul.com/node/99912
"Obamney care," Nuff said.
I went through this a couple
Live or Die Free! Politicians just hasten the act. Idiots talk and patriots act!!
of years ago with my stepson. One of the recruiters worked with him at the same eaterie. My stepson at 16 years old was just taking all of this in . When I found out they were trying to recruit him I explained that my joining the USMC at 16 was the right thing for me but in his case I would permanently disable him if he even thought about it. He could look into my eyes and see the truth.
I then went to the recruiters office and spoke with the NCO about my feelings on this matter. At first he tried to play on my patriotism with his BS. I then told him I had been in the Corps for six years and I knew the BS he was laying out there. We then walked outside and I explained to him I would disable my son enough to make sure he could not serve and then I would come after him for being the cause of it.
At this time my son is now 19 and in his third semester of petroleum engineering and doing very well. His best friend went in the Corps and will be going to the Middle East very soon. My son now considers me a very wise individual. At least he never asks if I would have done what I said. Somethings are better left alone.
1976-1982 USMC, You can thank me for my service by voting for Dr. Ron Paul, President 2012
Marine
You know the score, you walked the walk, how come my 3rd cousin, the boys father, a former Marine in one of my old regiments, the 11th Marines... only tells him, it is up to you ?
His grandpa fought with "Chesty Puller " in Peleliu and he was asked by me to show the boy General Smedley's anti-war books I sent, but has not ? They love the boy, but apparently they are not concerned to the level I am. Grandpa's brother was shot in the throat by a Japanese sniper in Cebu (KIA).
Who ever thought I would be at ground zero (GTMO) for WW III when I joined or with the first Marines [9th Expeditionary] sent to Vietnam or the Dominican Republic invasion ? Sh!t happens !
I tried, sigh.....
Casualties of War~Lethal Warriors
* These soldiers are coming back so messed up and most not getting the help needed. This article is very sobering..very sad!*
excerpt*
"Lethal Warriors"
"They fought in the deadliest places in the war twice — first in the Sunni Triangle, then in downtown Baghdad. Since their return late in 2007, eight infantry soldiers have been arrested and accused of murder, attempted murder or manslaughter. Another two soldiers from the brigade were arrested and accused of murder and attempted murder after the first tour. Others have committed other violent crimes. Others have committed suicide.
Many of the soldiers behind bars and their family members say the violence at home is a consequence of the violence in Iraq. They came home angry, confused, paranoid and depressed. They had trouble getting effective mental heath care. Most buried their symptoms in drugs and alcohol until they exploded."
http://www.gazette.com/articles/html-59091-http-gazette.html
****
"I truly wish that real life would no longer surpass the worst excesses of my nightmarish imaginings... Arthur Silber **
"I think we are living in a world of lies: lies that don't even know they are lies, because they are the children and grandchildren of lies." ~ Chris Floyd
Military
I wish I had a copy of your letter to send to two of my nephews who joined the Army a few months ago. My brother, their father, who was a real hippie type war protester during the Vietnam War, was upset to say the least. He has a third son who is threatening to join also. These kids can not find real employment, so when the Army dangles some sign-up money and college money at the end of their tour, they consider joining a viable option. I tried to dissuade them with stories of their great uncle who went insane from combat in France and Belgium and stayed that way the rest of his life, or stories of some of my older cousins who said they did not much care for the experience of fighting in Vietnam, but they joined. They are both getting intelligence training, so we are hoping that that will keep them from walking a patrol somewhere at least part of the time they are in!
Young males
... are easily manipulated during the period of their lives when they exist outside the female domain, after the mother and before the wife. They are above all eager to demonstrate masculinity. With its promises of order, fraternity, and cohesion, the military taps into this angst.
A real tragedy occurs when a young man, susceptible to the military appeal and nonetheless intelligent and creative, signs up to become cannon fodder. He will probably leave the military alive, but he will have been irreversibly molded, less inclined to dissent. Less intelligent people are better equipped for most military positions, and have far less to lose.
In 1965 they offered me 6 months bonus $1,350 if I would re-enlist six more years. When I gave them my answer, they tried putting on my DD-214, not recommended for re-enlistment, conscientious objector. I must say, at age 22 I got a little smart (the hard way). My buddy was a sergeant in the office and changed it to recommended. In hindsight, I should of not have him change it, I could of been called up to go back to Vietnam as I had a year and three months inactive reserve yet.. I am glad that big fu@king asshole Bush wasn't president or I would of been !