Veterans Day with Doolittle’s Raiders

posted at 8:15 am on November 10, 2006 by Bryan

WWII footage courtesy the USAF Image Center

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Michelle (and others that worked on this piece) Thank you SO much for this well done piece about our aging heroes and their action in WWII.

I can only hope my service is remembered a quarter as much when I reach their age.

Mortis on November 10, 2006 at 8:26 AM

Thanks Michelle for another great Vent. And Thank you all how have served and are serving to preserve our freedom.

Happy Birthday Marine Corp!

JohnnyD on November 10, 2006 at 8:38 AM

Happy Birthday, Leathernecks! Semper Fi!

Pablo on November 10, 2006 at 8:39 AM

Thank you for the nice reminder of what Veterans Day is about. It’s not about car, electronics or clothes sales. It is a day to celebrate and remember our Veterans.

As I sat here and watched this I had 3-4 co workers ask me what I was watching. When I told them the subject I could swear I literally saw the glaze form over their eyes.

“I think we should get the job done.” LTC Dick Cole (Doolittle’s Co-pilot)

Obviously he hasn’t watched “The View” lately.

If there was ever an argument for human cloning these men are it.

I can only hope my service is remembered a quarter as much when I reach their age.

Mortis on November 10, 2006 at 8:26 AM

My children will know and remember.

God Bless our US military men and women!

Sarcasm, Just one more service I offer. But not today.

VikingGoneWild on November 10, 2006 at 8:50 AM

Having proudly served with Co. A 2/35th Inf, 4th Inf. Div, Vietnam 67-68, I wish to thank all WWII Vets. Happy Birthday Marines! And please be remindful that there are only 12 WWI Vets still among us and may God Bless them as well.

Dread Pirate Roberts VI on November 10, 2006 at 8:52 AM

To all my fellow brothers and sisters who have/are/will serve our country in uniform, we salute you!

Fair winds, and following seas to all vets.

…And any man who may be asked in this century what he did to make his life worth while, I think can respond with a good deal of pride and satisfaction: “I served in the United States Navy.”

President John F. Kennedy
Annapolis, Maryland
August 1, 1963

rightside on November 10, 2006 at 9:04 AM

As an active duty Navy member, thanks for the video today Michelle. As the Raiders stated “We need to get the job done.” Here that US Congress. To the members of the other branch in the Dept. of the Navy, Happy Birthday USMC, Semper Fi.

ic1redeye on November 10, 2006 at 9:08 AM

Mortis is a former U.S. Army Infantryman who served with

5/87th INF, Ft Clayton, Panama during Operation Just Cause

and

2/187th INF, 101st Airborne, Ft. Campbell, KY during Operation Desert Shield/Storm

Mortis on November 10, 2006 at 9:10 AM

This was one of the best Vents. Thank you, Michelle.

To the veterans, the Army (the dogfaces), Navy (the squids), and Air Force (the airdales), thank you for your service.

For the Devil Dog vets celebrating their birthday today, thank you too. And there are these tributes as well…

“The deadliest weapon in the world is a Marine and his rifle.”— U.S. Army Gen. John J. “Black Jack” Pershing

“The safest place in Korea was right behind a platoon of Marines. Lord, how they could fight!”— U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Frank Lowe

“Marines have it [pride] and benefit from it. They are tough, cocky, sure of themselves and their buddies. They can fight, and they know it.”— U.S. Army Gen. Mark Clark

“Marines I see as two breeds, Rottweilers or Dobermans, because Marines come in two varieties, big and mean, or skinny and mean. They’re aggressive on the attack and tenacious on defense. They’ve got really short hair and they always go for the throat.” — Rear Admiral Jay Stark, U.S. Navy

And the legacy continues.

“…Still, from a combat-power / force-multiplying perspective, it is the old formula – which creates the magic – that truly sets Marines apart from other soldiers. Perhaps impossible to define, this magic may be expressed in the words of a frantic terrorist whose radio transmission was intercepted by U.S. forces during the assault on Fallujah in 2004: “We are fighting, but the Marines keep coming. We are shooting, but the Marines won’t stop.””

The above taken from The magic of “a few good men”By W. Thomas Smith, Jr
11/10/06
http://townhall.com/columnists/column.aspx?UrlTitle=the_magic_of_%e2%80%9ca_few_good_men%e2%80%9d&ns=WThomasSmithJr&dt=11/10/2006&page=full&comments=true

Yeah. I know, I’m a bit prejudiced. ;^) But, one of the proudest moments of my life was watching my son pass in review on the day he graduated from boot camp.

To all the men and women serving today: Thank you.

“People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf.”
George Orwell

georgej on November 10, 2006 at 9:16 AM

Thank. You. All.

Freedom will never be free.

y2church on November 10, 2006 at 9:24 AM

The first thing he said was, “If you men have any idea that this isn’t the most dangerous thing you’ve ever been on, don’t even start this training period. You can drop out now. There isn’t much sense wasting time and money training men who aren’t going through with this thing. It’s perfectly all right for any of you to drop out.”

A couple of boys spoke up together and asked Doolittle if he could give them any information about the mission. You could hear a pin drop.

“No, I can’t–just now,” Doolittle said. “But you’ll begin to get an idea of what it’s all about the longer we’re down here training for it. Now, there’s one important thing I want to stress. This whole thing must be kept secret. I don’t even want you to tell your wives, no matter what you see, or are asked to do, down here. If you’ve guessed where we’re going, don’t even talk about your guess. That means every one of you. Don’t even talk among yourselves about this thing. Now, does anybody want to drop out?”

Nobody dropped out.

Captain Ted Lawson
“Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo”

Ropera on November 10, 2006 at 9:24 AM

I live near a National Cemetary.
Time to go visit some heroes.

annoyinglittletwerp on November 10, 2006 at 9:47 AM

As the grandson of a soldier, as the son of a soldier, as a former soldier, as the father of a soldier, I want to thank America for letting my family serve, and I want to thank all my neighbors and allies who served beside us.

If you were a doggie, squid, zoomie, jarhead, or coasty, you did your part to write a page in the history of this great nation. We fought each other in the bars and protected each other in the mud. But oh what fun it was in those bars! If you know the name of the squid that punched me out in Panama please forward it to me.

God bless all of you!

Limerick on November 10, 2006 at 9:52 AM

A Hero says” It’s not about my heroism”.

I disagree Sir. It is ALL about your Heroism. We thank you. We honor you. We salute you.

Exceptional Vent MM!

labwrs on November 10, 2006 at 9:53 AM

Happy 231st to all my Teufelhunden brothers wherever you may be. Semper Fidelis.

Kid from Brooklyn on November 10, 2006 at 9:56 AM

Great video piece. We need to preserve the testomony of our aging veterans before they are gone. Lest the lefts historical revisionism is allowed to diminish thier heroism.

chow on November 10, 2006 at 10:13 AM

Now that might be my favorite Vent!

Drtuddle on November 10, 2006 at 10:14 AM

The VA (Veterans Admin) is encouraging veterans to wear their medals on Saturday in commemoration of Veterans Day. Seems he he got the idea from our good freinds the Aussies.

America’s veterans are the face of America.

They come from all walks of life, all ages, all ethnicities. They served our Nation honorably and well and we honor that service, but how do we honor the veteran – the individual who put on the uniform and gave his or her all for our country?

Last spring I had the privilege of attending the ANZAC (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) Day ceremonies in Sydney, Australia. ANZAC Day is the most important national holiday in Australia, a combination of Memorial Day and Veterans Day.

It was established to commemorate the more than 8,000 Australians killed in the battle of Gallipoli in World War I, and now honors all Australian and New Zealand veterans.
One of the things that stood out during the day-long ceremonies was how all of the veterans and surviving family members wore their medals and campaign ribbons. It focused public pride and attention on those veterans as individuals with personal histories of service and sacrifice for the common good.

That is why I am calling on America’s veterans to wear their military medals this Veterans Day, November 11, 2006. Wearing their medals will demonstrate the deep pride our veterans have in their military service and bring Veterans Day home to all American citizens.

Veterans, wear your pride on your left side this Veterans Day! Let America know who you are and what you did for freedom.

LakeRuins on November 10, 2006 at 10:15 AM

Upon receiving the Medal of Honor from FDR Doolittle said “I will spend the rest of my life trying to earn it.”

True heroes never talk about their own heroism. They truly don’t think of themselves as heroes, it’s always someone else they new or especially they talk of the heroes being the ones they left behind.

I remember hearing Jessica Parker saying some other actor was a hero for the roles he took in movies. What a load of crap! We have lost a sense of what a true hero is.

“It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows in the end the triumph of high achievement; and who, at worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.”

~ Teddy Roosevelt

Jeff_H on November 10, 2006 at 10:49 AM

To all my fellow brothers and sisters who have/are/will serve our country in uniform, we salute you!

rightside on November 10, 2006 at 9:04 AM

Ditto!

Lawrence on November 10, 2006 at 11:01 AM

Thank you for reminding us of the heros of World War II.

As a former Marine, I must say Happy Birthday to my Brothers.

Michelle, you could be a Marine.

nafku on November 10, 2006 at 11:04 AM

When the Vent began and Michelle said she would be saluting WWII heroes my spirit dropped a bit. We’re at war, and I have lost brothers-in-arms in that war. “Let’s be relevant and timely here,” I thought.

After seeing it though, I was completely wrong. These great men are going fast, just as my grandfather (1st Mountain WWII) did while I was in Iraq. They need to be honoured. The country needs to remember their sacrifice, will, and humility for us to make it through our war.

My fallen friends are still honoured today and will be for decades to come while my generation is still living. Thank you Michelle for straightening this young Army NCO’s priorities.

thomashton on November 10, 2006 at 11:08 AM

Outstanding Vent, and very inspiring.

Thank you Michelle and Bryan … and more importantly, Thank You Doolittle Raiders and all of those that fought for and preserved the freedom we have today.

thirteen28 on November 10, 2006 at 11:12 AM

A Hero says” It’s not about my heroism”.

QFT

I also second the two Vets that said, “We need to fight this nationally” and “We need to be on a war footing.”

- The “Copy :)” Cat

MirCat on November 10, 2006 at 11:23 AM

Freedom isn’t free, it costs everything. No one could ever give more than the Men and Women who have sacrificed it all for America’s freedom. I pray God’s blessings on all my fellow Vets and current heroes and their famlies.

Remember the POW “You are not forgotten”.

Thanks Michelle.

robman27 on November 10, 2006 at 11:24 AM

My favorite generation. I could listen to those men for hours. Thanks to all of them.

rike101 on November 10, 2006 at 11:40 AM

Factoid: half of all our country’s veterans are alive today. I remember talking with my Dad and my uncles about WWII. It was clearly the defining moment in their lives. My mother kept all my Dad’s letters–hundreds of them. I occasionally pick one up to read it, it’s such a blessing to have a record of one man’s journey as he fought for his country and his family and know that brave man was my father.

What always struck me about this generation was their humility. To them it was simply doing their duty and don’t make a fuss. (Dad always scoffed at what he called “professional veterans”)

Thanks for the video.

honora on November 10, 2006 at 11:53 AM

That was great. Thanks Michelle for reminding us to honor these great men and woman who served our country. My grandfather is WWII vet,he flew in D-Day. I’m definitely going to stop by and see him this weekend.

vcferlita on November 10, 2006 at 11:57 AM

Oh, I will be watching all the episodes of HBO’s Band of Brothers this weekend. If you haven’t seen it, I strongly suggest you rent/buy it.

Then, I’ll call my dad who was over in Germany during WWII, and thank him.

rightside on November 10, 2006 at 11:59 AM

I nominate Michelle for president in 2008.

Halley on November 10, 2006 at 11:59 AM

Michelle, thank you for bringing us this fantastic Vent, without voices like yours, oportunities to see and hear from great American Hero’s such as these might slip quietly by. Youre doing good works and its appreciated very much.

Viper1 on November 10, 2006 at 12:47 PM

And Halley, I second the nomination.

Viper1 on November 10, 2006 at 12:47 PM

I’ll save space enough for everyone.

A tribute to my beloved MARINE CORPS is HERE.

seejanemom on November 10, 2006 at 12:55 PM

For those of you who might interested…the USS Hornet is now a floating museum located at my old duty station, Alameda NAS.

And of course, they welcome any donations that aid towards her preservation.

Another great Vent, Michelle — thank you.

The Ugly American
Aerographer’s Mate Second Class

The Ugly American on November 10, 2006 at 12:57 PM

“Don’t hit at all if you can help it; don’t hit a man if you can possibly avoid it; but if you do hit him, put him to sleep.”
Theodore Roosevelt
New York City, February 17, 1899

Where the hell did this kind of common sense disappear to?

Thank you veterans! Thank you America!

Limerick on November 10, 2006 at 1:25 PM

*salutes*

Yakko77 on November 10, 2006 at 1:30 PM

Best WWII novel: Thin Red Line? A Bell for Adano? The Naked and the Dead? I would have to go with the last I think. Any other thoughts?

honora on November 10, 2006 at 1:47 PM

Happy 231st to all my Teufelhunden brothers wherever you may be. Semper Fidelis.

Kid from Brooklyn on November 10, 2006 at 9:56 AM

231 – factoid – by a few months they are older than our wonderful country.

What always struck me about this generation was their humility. To them it was simply doing their duty and don’t make a fuss. (Dad always scoffed at what he called “professional veterans”)…

honora on November 10, 2006 at 11:53 AM

…and the lack of humility of some of the retired generals is also striking. Nice tribute to your dad and comrades, honora.

Thank you to all the services, and all the members, active, retired, and no longer with us, and their families, for granting, and having granted us the right and privilages to be free and as stupid as we’d like.

Entelechy on November 10, 2006 at 2:42 PM

For those of you who might interested…the USS Hornet is now a floating museum located at my old duty station, Alameda NAS.

And of course, they welcome any donations that aid towards her preservation.

CV-12 is certainly a great ship and, like all the preserved Essex class carriers, a museum well worth supporting. But granted the context, it should also be noted that she is not the same USS Hornet that launched the Doolittle raid. That ship was CV-8, last of the Yorktown-class carriers. She served illustriously in the Pacific, including participation in not only the Doolittle raid but a pivotal role in the battle of Midway, as well as a stint as the sole operational US carrier in the Pacific theater. But she was ultimately lost at the battle of Santa Cruz in October of 1942.

–Blacklake

Blacklake on November 10, 2006 at 3:53 PM

The Ugly American
Aerographer’s Mate Second Class

Is that like an Airedale QM? Have a good one, Shipmate.

Kid from Brooklyn on November 10, 2006 at 4:45 PM

My God, what a thrill to see Michelle interview the surviving Raiders of that great air assault. To hear them speak and give their descriptions of that day, and what they think today. And I think that they were delighted to talk to Michelle (hell, what normal guy wouldn’t be delighted?).

Grade schoolers, High School students, and probably most college students do not know about this raid (or WW II for that matter) because the academic-forces-that-be have probably decided that the students are not supposed to know about this raid, that it is not relevent. Hell, I guess it just might give those students “the wrong idea.”

BRAVO ZULU, MICHELLE, BRYAN, AND THE REST OF TEAM HOT AIR!

Happy Birthday, Marine Corps! And Happy Veterans Day to all of our vets past, present, and future, and of course to our commentors here who are vets. Indeed, because of you (and members of my family), America is still alive and still the best nation on Earth because of the horror, the fear, the blood, the dirt, the anger, the anguish, the duty, the courage, and the devotion you have all displayed in service to our country.

And a salute to my fellow and sister Airmen of the USAF Auxiliary on this Veteran’s Day.

Oh, yes…a final word to the ENEMAS of our nation…do not be fooled by the results of this election. Yes, many of the newly elected Congressmen do not favor the military and believe in a PC way to wage war. But when the situation calls for a down, naked, and dirty fight for the defense of our country, you will get a very rude surprise from our vets.

The False Dervish on November 10, 2006 at 7:03 PM

Both of my father’s brothers were aboard the Hornet for that trip. One an intelligence officer, the other a flight deck boatswain’s mate.

Kid, the Aerographer’s Mate is a weather guesser. Not an airdale rate.

ATCS

Freelancer on November 10, 2006 at 7:04 PM

GREAT VIDEO CLIP MICHELLE. Truly gave me chills to hear the words of these heros from WWII (the greatest generation). I think we have a ton of men and women serving now with the same selfless patriotism to protect this country and defeat her enemies.

Happy Veteran’s Day: Thank you all for your service.

Now, can I translate the Doolittle Raid as it would be reported by the current MSM:

Datline Pacific: In an ill conceived raid, The United States Air Corps lost all aircraft in a mission against Japan. This proves we are in a quagmire and can’t afford to lose anymore military personnel attacking civilians, who did nothing to us. We should immediately redeploy to California and open a dialog with Germany and Italy to put an end to this so-called war. This cowboy, go-it-alone policy against Japan will not work. We need a coalition to win this, and Russia is not fighting with us on this front. We hope President Roosevelt will fire his entire cabinet over this debacle and get some good men in, a la Neville Chamberlain. He had the right idea, we just didn’t give his plan enough time and money.

At least I think this is how the MSM from today would have reported this amazingly successful mission.

still468 on November 10, 2006 at 7:15 PM

The interview is, of course, only going to be done by a class outfit like HOTAIR and will only viewed by the class American Patriots that blog here.

My Hunky Marine Hub is thrilled to see tributes like these.I am humbled by him every day. To think that he will be a venerated old man by class acts like you guys here…makes serving under “difficult” administrations bearable.

I went to the dedication of the Marine Corps Museum today—a TOUGH TICKET TO GET—WOW!!! Bush was on the verge of sobbing when he went back to his seat after the Medal of Honor presentation. I can’t remember much after that myself. Thank god and Cover Girl for waterproof mascara.

A prayful Veteran’s Day to everyone.

seejanemom on November 10, 2006 at 7:52 PM

Hard to spell and cry. Sorry.

Prayerful

seejanemom on November 10, 2006 at 7:52 PM

Georgej’s comment,

To the veterans, the Army (the dogfaces), Navy (the squids), and Air Force (the airdales), thank you for your service.

…made me think of this…

Subject: Military Rules for the Non-Military Personnel

Dear Civilians,

We know that the current state of affairs in our great nation have many civilians up in arms and excited to join the military. For those of you who can’t join, you can still lend a hand. Here are a few of the areas we would like your assistance with:

1: The next time you see an adult talking (or wearing a hat) during the playing of the National Anthem … kick their ass.

2: When you witness firsthand someone burning the American Flag in protest… kick their ass.

3: Regardless of the rank they held while they served, pay the highest amount of respect to all veterans. If you see anyone doing otherwise, quietly pull them aside and explain how these Veterans fought for the very freedom they bask in every second. Enlighten them on the many sacrifices these Veterans made to make this Nation great. Then hold them down while a Disabled Veteran kicks their ass.

4: (GUYS) If you were never in the military, DO NOT pretend that you were. Wearing battle dress uniforms (BDU’s), telling others that you used to be “Special Forces,” and collecting GI Joe memorabilia, might have been okay if you were still seven. Now, it will only make you look stupid and get your ass kicked.

5: Next time you come across an Air Force member, do not ask them, “Do you fly a jet?” Not everyone in the Air Force is a pilot. Such ignorance deserves an ass kicking (children are exempt).

6: If you witness someone calling the U.S. Coast Guard non military, inform them of their mistake…and kick their ass.

7: Roseanne Barr’s singing of the National Anthem is not a blooper…it was a disgrace and disrespectful. Laugh, and sooner or later your ass will be kicked.

8: Next time Old Glory (U.S. flag) prances by during a parade, get on your damn feet and pay homage to her by placing your hand over your heart. Quietly thank the military member or veteran lucky enough to be carrying her…of course, failure to do either of those could earn you a severe ass kicking.

9: What Jane Fonda did during the Vietnam War makes her the enemy. The proper word to describe her is “traitor.” Just mention her nomination for “Woman of the Year” and get your ass kicked.

10: Don’t try to discuss politics with a military member or a veteran. We are Americans and we all bleed the same regardless of our party affiliation. Our Chain of Command, is to include our commander in Chief. The President (for those who didn’t know) is our CIC regardless of political party. We have no inside track on what happens inside those big important buildings where all those representatives” meet. All we know is that when those civilian representatives screw up the situation, they call upon the military to go straighten it out. The military member might direct you to Oliver North. (I can see him kicking your ass already.)

11: “Your mama wears combat boots” never made sense to me … stop saying it! If she did, she would most likely be a vet and probably kick your ass!

12: Bin Laden and the Taliban are not communists, so stop saying “Let’s go kill those Commie’s!!!” And stop asking us where he is!!!! Crystal balls are not standard issue in the military. That reminds me … if you see anyone calling those damn psychic phone numbers; let me know, so I can go kick their ass.

13: Flyboy (Air Force), Jar Head (Marines), Grunt (Army), Squid (Navy) etc, are terms of endearment we use describing each other. Unless you are a service member or vet, you have not earned the right to use them. Could get your ass kicked.

14: Last but not least, whether or not you become a member of the military, support our troops and their families. Every Thanksgiving and religious holiday that you enjoy with family and friends please remember that there are, literally, thousands of sailors and troops far from home wishing they could be with their families. Thank God for our military and the sacrifices they make every day. Without them, our country would get its ass kicked.

It is the soldier, not the reporter, who has given us the freedom of the press.

It is the soldier, not the poet, who has given us the freedom of speech.

It is the soldier, not the campus organizer, who gives us the freedom to demonstrate.

It is the soldier who salutes the flag, who serves beneath the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag, who has given the protester the right to burn the flag.

And this…

What is a vet?

He is the cop on the beat who spent six months in Saudi Arabia sweating two gallons a day making sure the armored personnel carriers didn’t run out of fuel.

He is the barroom loudmouth, dumber than five wooden planks, whose overgrown frat-boy behavior is outweighed a hundred times in the cosmic scales by four hours of exquisite bravery near the 38th parallel.

She – or he – is the nurse who fought against futility and went to sleep sobbing every night for two solid years in Da Nang.

He is the POW who went away one person and came back another – or didn’t come back AT ALL.

He is the Quantico drill instructor who has never seen combat – but has saved countless lives by turning slouchy, no-account rednecks and gang members into Marines, and teaching them to watch each other’s backs.

He is the parade – riding Legionnaire who pins on his ribbons and medals with a prosthetic hand.

He is the career quartermaster who watches the ribbons and medals pass him by.

He is the three anonymous heroes in The Tomb Of The Unknowns, whose presence at the Arlington National Cemetery must forever preserve the memory of all the anonymous heroes whose valor died unrecognized with them on the battlefield or in the ocean’s sunless deep.

He is the old guy bagging groceries at the supermarket – palsied now and aggravatingly slow – who helped liberate a Nazi death camp and who wishes all day long that his wife were still alive to hold him when the nightmares come.

He is an ordinary and yet an extraordinary human being – a person who offered some of his life’s most vital years in the service of his country, and who sacrificed his ambitions so others would not have to sacrifice theirs.

He is a soldier and a savior and a sword against the darkness, and he is nothing more than the finest, greatest testimony on behalf of the finest, greatest nation ever known.

So remember, each time you see someone who has served our country, just lean over and say Thank You. That’s all most people need, and in most cases it will mean more than any medals they could have been awarded or were awarded.

�Father Denis Edward O’Brien

Thank you Vets, all of you from the M.O.H. winners to the pencil pushers that back them up, from the guys on the sharp end to the guys in the mess hall who feed them, thank you one and all.

MOMinuteman on November 10, 2006 at 7:53 PM

My favorite Vent so far Michelle, thanks.

I had the pleasure of meeting those men along with my personal hero, Gen. James H. “Jimmy” Doolittle at a get together held at Hurlburt Field years ago. Hurlburt is where they trained for the mission. He was probably the finest man ever to wear our uniform. I would recommend his autobiography “I Could Never Be So Lucky Again” for all to read; also, the movie, 30 Seconds over Tokyo. My autographed copy of the book is one of most prized possessions!

Before the war Jimmy Doolittle was the fastest man on Earth. He was the first pilot to fly on instruments alone. He was a fearless warrior with a heart of solid gold. He closed his presentation saying “God Bless you all”.

Zorro on November 10, 2006 at 7:54 PM

Great post… but i think that the drum-machine-propelled 80s-ish background music didn’t quite fit… maybe it’s time for a change

el75 on November 10, 2006 at 9:33 PM

Great Vent Michelle!

These veterans were volunteers in a mission that turned out to be famous. Their attitude was to do their job to the best of their ability – which is a theme that has carried through generations who have served in the Armed Forces of the United States.

The difference between then, during WWII and earlier conflicts and now is the clarity that comes from the efforts of a unified nation. This unified effort was mentioned in the interviews – and what is missing now.

The Left has always been there – but in WWII and before the United States government enforced the national interest by prosecuting treason and sedition. Domestic support was strong because the people were unified by a common cause, and treason and sedition were not allowed to subvert the unity that is necessary to win a war.

In this current environment the military cannot win a war that is given away, or lost, by subversive elements that have not the will to fight for our freedom before national disaster makes it imperative to stand up.

We will not have the national unity to win a war, because of the influcence of the Left, until national disaster occurs. Pearl Harbor, 9/11, ? and ? will be the story when history rewrites itself.

Sad but unavaoidable. We see it now and there is nothing we cannot do that has not already been done because of the Left in this nation.

omegaram on November 10, 2006 at 10:30 PM

Great Vent,
Thank you for it but first,I will Thank The Men and Women who protected and protects us today.
Thank you MOMinuteman for every word you’ve written.
May God Bless Our Troops and America!!

alyce on November 11, 2006 at 12:39 AM

Some spend a lifetime wondering if they made a difference. The Marines don’t have that problem.

President Ronald Reagan, 1985

This will remain the land of the free so long as it is the home of the brave.

Elmer Davis, 1890-1958

Entelechy on November 11, 2006 at 1:14 AM

Zorro,

Good point. Doolittle’s contribution to aviation was immense long before he flew the famous raid over Tokyo. Just the fact he survived flying the GeeBee R1 ranks him high on the pilot scale.

Glad to see many of the raiders are still kicking and telling their stories. I would like to see extended cuts of Michelle’s interviews with them. I noticed quite a few cuts/edits.

Gyro on November 11, 2006 at 1:16 AM

For those that didn’t hear about it.

Cpl. Jason Dunham, USMC, was awarded the CMH, posthumously today, with the announcement made at the dedication of the Marine Corps Museum at Quantico.

Actions by Cpl. Jason L. Dunham, who would have turned 25 today, merit the Medal of Honor, Bush said at the National Museum of the Marine Corps’ dedication ceremony, which coincided with the 231st Marine Corps anniversary.

On April 14, 2004, in Iraq near the Syrian border, the corporal used his helmet and his body to smother an exploding Mills Bomb let loose by a raging insurgent whom Dunham and two other Marines tried to subdue.

The explosion dazed and wounded Lance Cpl. William Hampton and Pfc. Kelly Miller. The insurgent stood up after the blast and was immediately killed by Marine small-arms fire.

Dunham lay face down with a shard the size of a dress-shirt button lodged in his head. The hard, molded mesh that was his Kevlar helmet was now scattered yards around into clods and shredded fabric. Dunham never regained consciousness and died eight days later at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., with his mother and father at his bedside.

Dunham’s commanding officers from 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines, investigated his actions and nominated him for the Medal of Honor. After two years and seven months making its way to the White House, the nomination now has the necessary approval from the president. Next, the president will present the medal and citation to the Dunhams.

Hoping the president would make the Medal of Honor announcement on their son’s birthday, Dan and Debra Dunham drove to Quantico from their home in Scio, N.Y. Dunham is buried in Scio.

Before Dunham, the last Marine actions to earn the medal happened May 8, 1970, in Vietnam, according to Marine Corps History Division records. A Medal of Honor citation details Lance Cpl. Miguel Keith’s machine-gun charge that inspired a platoon facing nearly overwhelming odds: Wounded, Keith ran into “fire-swept terrain.” Wounded again by a grenade, he still attacked, taking out enemies in the forward rush. Keith fought until mortally wounded; his platoon came out on top despite being heavily outnumbered.

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/6A9F54EACD3677188525722200698195?opendocument

Semper Fi, Cpl Dunham, rest in peace.

georgej on November 11, 2006 at 3:06 AM

Dammit, seejanemom and MOMinuteman; because of y’all, it’s all I can do not to cry right now.

p.v. cornelius on November 11, 2006 at 6:49 AM

Sad but unavaoidable. We see it now and there is nothing we cannot do that has not already been done because of the Left in this nation.

omegaram on November 10, 2006 at 10:30 PM

There’s always one.

honora on November 11, 2006 at 8:26 AM

Rest in Peace Cpl. Dunham. You are in good company. I am sure they are already greeting you , hoisting a cold one, and introducing you to the finest group this world has ever known. Fiddlers Green just picked up a great new member.

jcon96 on November 11, 2006 at 10:41 AM

The Doolittle Raid was an incredible undertaking and one of the greatest moments in U.S. history. If you want to read a GREAT book about the raid, based upon first person interviews of many of the raiders themselves, check out the book “The First Heroes” by Craig Nelson. I just finished reading it and highly recommend it.

I am a 21-year Air Force veteran still serving proudly. I salute the Doolittle Raiders as true heroes up against incredible odds who pulled off one of the most remarkable military operations in history.

USAFMXOfficer on November 11, 2006 at 11:54 AM

I simply can not find the words to express my gratitude to the Radiders, and every man and woman who has fought for this country, ever.

Thanks more than you can know.

shooter on November 11, 2006 at 12:26 PM

Its now 11:11 am in Denver on 11/11/06

thanks troops.

shooter on November 11, 2006 at 1:12 PM

A Hero says” It’s not about my heroism”.

I disagree Sir. It is ALL about your Heroism. We thank you. We honor you. We salute you.

Exceptional Vent MM!
labwrs on November 10, 2006 at 9:53 AM

Perfect. America salutes our wonderful defenders, protectors- our heroes.

-Another tearful civilian. I’m not worthy!

NTWR on November 11, 2006 at 3:35 PM

Thanks MX, The First Heroes is an important record. By the way, Thirty Seconds over Tokyo is on TMC as we speak…

Zorro on November 11, 2006 at 4:15 PM

Excellent Vent Michelle.

These guys will be gone before we know it.

Let’s honor them all

Chuck on November 11, 2006 at 11:17 PM

Thank you very much for this, Michelle; it’s greatly appreciated.

frankj on November 11, 2006 at 11:25 PM

Kid,

I waited, but noone asked. So just in case anyone was curious…

Teufelhunden = Devil Dog

Hooah!

Freelancer on November 12, 2006 at 5:02 AM