I had several more military people on my four flights today. Soldiers, Marines, about 15 Midshipmen from Annapolis and a bunch of guys headed to Army bootcamp. I told some of the Squidies that when I see them it makes sleep well at night knowing these folks are the future of our nation because a lot of times I see hippie kids who keep me up at night *fearing* for our country’s future.

Major contrast: 1st flight today had several Marines, all polite, friendly and respectful. 2nd flight had a bunch of college basketball players who were loud, obnoxious and rude. Thanks for makin’ my point guys. Last flight had all the Naval Academy people who were very nice. They leave a lasting impression.

You’re my kind of American, sir. John Wayne was thinking of you when he talked about what it means to be an American. God bless you.

From one of the Squids.

Subsunk

…

Mookie looks like “Fat Bastard” from the Austin Powers movie in this picture… LOL… I love it!

Between “dead” and “dead sexy”, I’ll settle for dead… :-)

He needs to go and I hope this time he doesn’t come out alive like saddam did. Too bad saddam didn’t have the guts to kill himself before he came out of the rathole. Maybe it was meant to be that the Iraqi’s execute him but I somehow think they wouldn’t execute sadr, I could be wrong.

Sorry, I don’t take up the whole thread and be off topic too!

DIE! Mookie DIE! There, now I’m back on topic :-)

Entel, this Army guy I spoke to today almost made my eyes tear up too. He had just gotten back from Rahmadi, saw lots of combat, comes home and sees a lefty spin on the news and thinks this is what America thinks! It crushed me! I told him over and over again that the media does NOT represent the views of most people in this country.

These are not my stories, but I wish I could’ve recorded each conversation and publish them, Entel. The Airborne guy missing a leg had such a positive viewpoint, despite his injuries. The Ranger tellin’ me about shootouts with “hajjis”. The Marine who called in an airstrike and watched it on his laptop. I wish I could remember all the stories I’ve heard. I spot these guys by their haircut and ask ‘em “So, are ya in the Marines, or do ya just use the haircut to get chicks?” They laugh and say “Army” or whichever branch they’re in. Sometimes I ask “Did you kill any of those muthaf***ers over there?” Most of the time it’s “Oh yeah man, lots of ‘em.” Or “No sir, I was in the Ops tent.” or something like that. The Marine I spoke to today seems to think Mookie is next. I shook his hand and said “God bless you sir, be safe over there.” Then gave him a free beer :-) I suggested he read “We Were One” about the battle of Fallujah, the author calls these guys the Next Greatest Generation. He was reading a book about ancient Greek warfare. A Paratrooper I saw the other day was reading “Great Battles That Changed The World”. These guys are smart, educated (screw you Jon Cary) humble, polite, patriotic and brave. They make me wish I had stayed in the Air Force.

God bless ALL of our Troops, even the Squidies! :-)

Also, consider writing and publishing your stories.

Ross

It starts with a life time commitment to family, spouse and kids – the things that only God and our loved ones recognize and appreciate.

Bradky on January 2, 2007 at 6:21 PM

“It” is referring to how we can recover from our slide into obscurity.

And it’s something that, disturbingly, cuts across the political spectrum – while I think it definitely applies to modern liberals and their belief in national suicide, I’m afraid that there are still too many conservatives that also fail to get it.

Thirteen28

Good points. Lots of hypocrites throughout our society. Whether it is the ambulance chasing trial lawyer bemoaning the loss of traditional values and integrity, outspoken environmentalist parading around in their SUVs, or advocates of family values already spending time with their third different spouse – this is the picture of society as a whole.
We risk going out with a whimper, not a bang.
It starts with a life time commitment to family, spouse and kids – the things that only God and our loved ones recognize and appreciate.

Thirteen28, yes, we are soft, but let me tell ya about this current generation. Not the generation as a whole, but this generation in the military. They are the Next Greatest Generation. I meet them everyday at work. They’re humble, and so proud of what they’re doing. They know the sacrifices they make for us but they do it for their country. They make me so proud to be an American! Just today, an Army M2 Bradley guy told me he does it “Because I love my country.” His wife, also in the Army, is going to A-stan for a YEAR! I told him how grateful I was for his sacrifice. He just smiled and said “That’s what we gotta do to protect our nation.” A young Marine Infantry guy told me today how he’s headed for his first trip to Iraq, that he’s looking forward to defending his country. The other day, another young Marine and his wife and son were on my plane and this guy was all about “My wife, my son, my Lord and Savior, my country.” He had just gotten back from the war and he turns on the news and “It’s nothing like what I saw over there.” When I told him how much I appreciated his service, he said “That really means a lot. Just hearing you say that makes it all worth it.” I couldn’t believe my ears! The Army Sgt I met today also said “Thanks for your support, ’cause when I watch the news, it seems like the whole world hates me.” It almost brought tears to my eyes that he thinks America doesn’t support him and his mission. When we landed I got on the mic and told the other passangers about our special guests, 2 Army and 6 Marines, the gave a thunderous applause! Now they *know* their country loves them back!

Tony737 on January 2, 2007 at 4:08 PM

Tony, I would not dream of arguing with you for one second about our fighting men and women, who are better than we deserve at this time. About that I am quite sure you could not be more right as they clearly represent the best of us.

But here on the homefront and within the non-military population, I would argue that the majority of Americans are indeed soft and decadent. From the constant whining about how “bad” our economy is (a “bad” economy that the Greatest Generation would have loved to be a part of), all of the hand-wringing about doing whatever is necessary to actually win the war, the banishment of competition for the sake of self-esteem (denying that there are winners and losers in life), and countless other examples, I’d say we are definitely soft, decandent, hopelessly materialistic and blind to the true nature of our enemies and of the world we live in. And it’s something that, disturbingly, cuts across the political spectrum – while I think it definitely applies to modern liberals and their belief in national suicide, I’m afraid that there are still too many conservatives that also fail to get it.

Again, let there be no mistake that those to whom you refer to Tony are definitely a shining exception to the rule. Our country would be much better off if there were many more like them.

Now, about Mookie..DO IT..DO IT NOW. And if the report is right, then “little” Mookie is sweating it bigtime! He KNOWS in a couple of days, he either gives up or dies. Period. I vote for Door #2 so I hope he resists and fires on our guys..give them an excuse. BTW, are they going to use the ARREST WARRANT as an excuse to go get him? Just a thought.

I’m a frequent traveler for work, and I never miss an opportunity when hanging around a bar at ATL between flights to buy a table of GIs a round.

I’m waiting for a chance to give a GI my 1st class seat since I get upgraded more often than not.

Thank you to all those HotAir G.I.s commenting on this website or silently reading it!

“I can say no more.”