Photos that will never make the news.

Ok, now that we're entirely through trashing Erok, here's a bit on thread topic:

I like the photos, and I'm very glad to see them. They show that the 'big bad soldiers' of the US actually have hearts. Folks tend to think our servicemen are inhumane at times, because they do their jobs so effectively. This proves otherwise. We aren't (nor weren't) all the 'go out, get trashed, womanize, and kill things' military.

I wish I had a scanner on this box now so I could burn in a few pictures of my final med cruise (USS America CV-66 back in 1992) - we went to Hurghada, Egypt after Desert Storm ended, and in addition to the much-needed and well-deserved liberty time, a group of about 250 of us went out into a small village and remodelled an orphanage and clinic there. Our corpsmen also went along and provided free medical checkups to all the kids and a large number of the adults living in this village. To this day I couldn't point to it on a map, but I know there's at least 100 people living in that village who remember us and what we did.

It's not always about killing people and breaking things, that's just what gets the most publicity...

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I like the photos, and I'm very glad to see them. They show that the 'big bad soldiers' of the US actually have hearts. Folks tend to think our servicemen are inhumane at times, because they do their jobs so effectively. This proves otherwise. We aren't (nor weren't) all the 'go out, get trashed, womanize, and kill things' military.

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It simply proves one thing: they're HUMAN (*GASP* Who'd thunk it!?)

As someone who was in the Armed Forces (763 Communications Reserve in Ottawa and proud of it, dammit!) I am proud to say that I went into the Reserves to learn something about me (I can actually take a beating and still do things) as well as be a peacekeeper (maybe). Granted my goals have changed but I'm still proud of my short time there. While I don't agree why the troops are over there in Iraq, they do deserve simple respect that every human does. What happened AFTER Vietnam shouldn't happen again.

Seperate the human from the political war.

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Originally posted here by Tiger Shark
BBallad.... Hanging around with grunts and saying you know them is equivalent to being a butler and telling people you live in a big mansion..... It sounds good but it's rubbish.... Join up, spend five years on the job then come and tell me how awful they are..... I was there ten years... There were people I didn't like but that doesn't make them bad.....

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Actualy tiger I was hangeing around with oficers...even married one so it was a bit more then just hanging out at the local military watering hole...and yes a good number of the officers and grunts where closed minded morons that couldn't wait to kill them some towel heads...a large number where good people as well but its real hard to tell which group was in the majority.

Just wanted to say thanks for the pictures. As a former solider and relative of many who have served or are currently serving, I know we all appreciate it.

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Actualy tiger I was hangeing around with oficers...even married one so it was a bit more then just hanging out at the local military watering hole...and yes a good number of the officers and grunts where closed minded morons that couldn't wait to kill them some towel heads...a large number where good people as well but its real hard to tell which group was in the majority.

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There's your first problem.... You were hanging with the officers..... I refused the "opportunity" of a commission when I was offered one..... You see I had already experienced a lot of them and they were, (in general.... Yes, there are excellent ones), are simply a bunch of "gung-ho" schoolboys that think it's big to talk big..... Trust me... I know about this.... They like to impress the "civvies" with their warlike attitudes..... But when it comes down to it, it's the reason that there are Senior NCO's in the military.... Because _someone_ has to have common sense and judgement in the unit and it isn't usually the officer..... 'Nuff said about the officer corps.... may your god love them....

To my next point.... Other than your Mrs. you were an outsider.... You weren't one of _them_.... I'd be willing to bet that in her heart of hearts your Mrs. really sees you as an outsider too.... I know for a fact that the serving members just love to demonstrate that "I'm a 'warry' bastard and I'll kill anything in my way" attitude to you civvies.... It's expected of them and it's "the thing" to do in front of the rest of their unit....

What you seem to misunderstand about a military unit is that they know that, if committed to combat, they will quite possibly die. They also know that to instill confidence in the other members of their unit in their ability and commitment, (which they require in order to be accepted by the rest of the unit), they can't go running around showing fear of the potential for combat. No matter what their real feelings are they _have_ to be that way.... It's their only opportunity to succeed because without demonstrating some form of "desire" to be in combat to their peers they wouldn't be allowed to be in combat by their peers, they would be ostracized(sp?). It's a closed society... as it should be.... A volunteer army discriminates against none but the unwilling......

That's where your "knowledge" of the military falls down..... much as you like to think you were an "insider" you _never_ were.....

MsMittens thanks! Very refreshing :).

-Kurt

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negs from er0k - let's think, if you sign up to go to war without knowing why you are going: Why are you going? Money, or ambition to shoot people. Don't give me **** about fighting for freedom, when there is no threat to their freedom. Justify Iraq, dumbass.

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If you used your brain before lashing out your see that the first picture isnt of one of the coalition forces within iraq, he is actually an israeli, look at the uniform, the gun and the boots.

justifty iraq? well i can't, I dont agree that are reasons for going to war were justified, I dont agree with everything thats what gives me half a brain.

If we had said originally we intended on going to war to remove an evil dictator I still wouldnt of approved 100% because at that time at least the country was still somewhat stable. WMD was just used becuase it had been built on for the past decade or so.

I didnt mention fighting for freedom as my reason to join, its not about oppression, its about doing something thats worthwhile. Thats my reason anyway, many people join up to get them selves oout of crime on there council estate, to pull more girls, to get more money, to travel the world. you a moron for believing that everyone that joins whats to see blood.

grow up, stamping one belief on hundreads and thousands of men and women is entirely wrong.

so neg me. negs mean nothing to me anyway. I dont beleive in attacking someones opinion.

i2c

As a current active duty Air Force service member who has nearly completed five years of service, how heart-wrenching it is to know that _some_ people believe that we are all *stupid for the service we provide our country. I wish that Erok were given one chance to say that to a mother/father/husband/wife/child or even a friend who has lost someone in this questionable, but what I feel is neccessary war. I wish he were given one chance to say that to my mother and see how fast she slaps the taste out of his mouth. There is nothing like telling your parents or loved ones that you won't be home for Christmas or Thanksgiving because you'll be working an eighteen hour shift or that it'll be another year before you can see them again or having a family member or friend pass away and not being there. I believe that every person has the right and the freedom not to like our President Bush or support his cause. However it is my personal opinion, that those who will go so far as to do a verbal injustice and disrespect to our country and the servicemembers and their families, should find residence elsewhere: you are not welcomed here by people like myself and our veterans who signed a contract binding us to protect your family, your freedom, and your life knowing that one day WE may give the ultimate sacrifice. IMHO.

I'd just like to re-visit the original sentiment of this post and forget the petty bickering. It's heartwarming for me to see these images. Theres no reason to wax political about it. Regardless of why someone joined the service or who's right or wrong, the images were really about humanity. And you better believe there's a whole lot of humanity going on over there right now.


So I just want to say thank you for sharing MsMittens, you've made my night.

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"Joy comes in the morning, there are no atheists in foxholes" - Any Given Sunday

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MsM, thank you so much for these pictures. Indeed they were quite refreshing.

Er0k,

When 9/11 happened, I was 17, sitting in my psychology class when a kid told me a plane crashed into the WTC. I had no idea how bad it was. Then we turned on the TVs and started watching the devastation. My psychology teacher became pale and seemed as if she was going to pass out. Her daughter was at the WTC. When they the news announced that it was a terrorist attack, I got a feeling, the same feeling that many others did, to bring those responsible to justice.

I had the opportunity, when a Marine Corps recruiter was at my high school and I was talking to him. We met a few times, and I told him I needed some more time. Certain events happened including my father passing away, and I had to rethink my priorities. I could not leave my mother alone worrying about me every single day. Her heart condition would not be able to deal with it. I did not sign up, but every single day I wished i was there with the rest of those marines to punish those who were responsible for 9/11.

I wish I was in Iraq as well. I know war is ****, its horrible, but every time i read about a young man losing his life, I just wish I was there to have made a difference. If I save just one of those men's lives, then I would be happy. I wouldn't mind dying to save someone else's life.

You have the wrong idea about our Military. If our military was made up of the people you describe them as, then we'd be in deep ****. There are many very intelligent people in our military who could have gotten a decent job, easy in the US. Instead, they chose to make a difference by joining up. Its those people who make my day a lot easier. I never worry about how shitty a 14-15 hour shift is at my job....because there's people out there who have it worse, and I shouldn't complain.

Peace.