A Note from a Marine

My nephew sent me the email below. I'd seen something similar before, but it was about time I saw it again. My nephew joined the Marines about 8 years ago, served 4 years on active duty before joining the reserves. He got activated shortly thereafter and did a tour in Iraq. He's pursuing a civilian career now but still has the heart of a patriot. His brother joined the Air Force about 5 years ago and they share a time-honored rivalry.

The email he sent me pretty much tells things as they are. I can personally attest to the part about the National Anthem - especially when i heard Whitney's rendition on the flight home from Desert Storm.

If you've never served in the military, you may not understand this. You may think us Neanderthal. I, of course, do not. I have an inordinate respect for these young men.

Half Man Half Boy

The average age of the military man is 19 years. He is a short haired, tight-muscled kid who, under normal circumstances is considered by society as half man, half boy. Not yet dry behind the ears, not old enough to buy a beer, but old enough to die for his country. He never really cared much for work and he would rather wax his own car than wash his father's, but he has never collected unemployment either.

He's a recent High School graduate; he was probably an average student, pursued some form of sport activities, drives a ten year old jalopy, and has a steady girlfriend that either broke up with him when he left, or swears to be waiting when he returns from half a world away. He listens to rock and roll or hip-hop or rap or jazz or swing and a 155mm howitzer.

He is 10 or 15 pounds lighter now than when he was at home because he is working or fighting from before dawn to well after dusk. He has trouble spelling, thus letter writing is a pain for him, but he can field strip a rifle in 30 seconds and reassemble it in less time in the dark. He can recite to you the nomenclature of a machine gun or grenade launcher and use either one effectively if he must.

He digs foxholes and latrines and can apply first aid like a professional.

He can march until he is told to stop, or stop until he is told to march.

He obeys orders instantly and without hesitation, but he is not without spirit or individual dignity. He is self-sufficient.

He has two sets of fatigues: he washes one and wears the other. He keeps his canteens full and his feet dry.

He sometimes forgets to brush his teeth, but never to clean his rifle. He can cook his own meals, mend his own clothes, and fix his own hurts.

If you're thirsty, he'll share his water with you; if you are hungry, his food. He'll even split his ammunition with you in the midst of battle when you run low.

He has learned to use his hands like weapons and weapons like they were his hands.

He can save your life - or take it, because that is his job.

He will often do twice the work of a civilian, draw half the pay, and still find ironic humor in all of it.

He has seen more suffering and death than he should have in his short lifetime.

He has wept in public and in private, for friends who have fallen in combat and is unashamed.

He feels every note of the National Anthem vibrate through his body while at rigid attention, while tempering the burning desire to 'square-away' those around him who haven't bothered to stand, remove their hat, or even stop talking.

In an odd twist, day in and day out, far from home, he defends their right to be disrespectful.

Just as did his Father, his Grandfather, and his Great-grandfather, he is paying the price for our freedom. Beardless or not, he is not a boy. He is the American Fighting Man that has kept this country free for over 200 years.

He has asked nothing in return, except our friendship and understanding. Remember him, always, for he has earned our respect and admiration with his blood.

And now we even have women over there in danger, doing their part in this tradition of going to war when our nation calls us to do so.

As you go to bed tonight, remember this shot. . .
A short lull, a little shade and a picture of loved ones in their helmets.

Prayer for our military
'Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they protect us. Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need. Amen.'

Predictions on the Aug 10 Referendum Revocatorio

Pretty much like everyone else in Bolivia, I’ve been quietly watching as we come up on the August 10th Referendum Revocatorio. To be honest, I’m surprised things haven’t heated up yet. I guess things don’t get really heated up though until about two weeks prior to an event. What do I expect?

1. Chavez checks. Morales will work night and day to build his base. He needs to get as many of his supporters registered as possible and he needs to stay popular. He’ll stay out of anything more controversial than insulting the US and the “oligarchs” (Last year the “in” term was “Elites”). To build support, he will do what any good politician does; give stuff away, shake hands, smile, and kiss babies. “A chicken in every pot” still works. BTW, I expect the prefects to be doing exactly the same. We should see ribbon cutting by both sides. Sidebar - Morales’ going into Montero was not a bright move, but he needs to make progress in Santa Cruz. He needs to get rid of Costas and put his own man in.

2. Mudslinging – and lots of it.

3. The prefects trying every legal and quasi-legal method to stop the referendum – now here’s the twist – without appearing to do so.
- We’ve already seen legal challenges. I’ve been following the debate on MABB and Pronto* over the legality of the referendum. I’d say both sides make good arguments. It’s a shame the Constitutional Court isn’t there to hear them.
- Social movements (this time from the right) protesting and blockading. The protests cannot however be led by the prefects. They have to appear to be “Grass roots” events.

What else, I’m not sure. Honestly, IMHO the prefects lost the battle when the opposition failed to read the Ley Revocatoria before signing it. It is amazingly slanted in favor of Morales. I expect that he will quickly remove several thorns in his side, and just as quickly put his own people in place. They should already have their backs packed. He only has a short time though before he has to call elections, so he will need to move rapidly on his stonewalled agenda items – particularly the CPE. The question is whether the Senate will bend to his will after he removes the prefects. That I don’t know. How much does he gain towards the CPE by removing these thorns (the prefects)?

Open Invitation

While I often offer my opinion on others blogs, I (usually) try to avoid getting into discussion that are wildly off topic. This space is for off-topic discussion. Unfortunately, I don't have one right now ;-) I'll see what I can do about that. In the meantime, in the unlikely event that anyone actually sees this, feel free to freeboard.