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2004-08-24 Home Front: Politix

Heroes don't SHOUT (OpEd by Ralph Peters on NYP)

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Posted by CrazyFool 2004-08-24 5:19:30 PM|| || Front Page|| [1 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 This is the kind of real hero that Ralph Peters was talking about. Read what Col. James Moschgat,
United States Air Force Academy - class of 1977, has to say about Medal of Honor recipient William âBillâ Crawford: 10 Things a Janitor Can Teach You About Leadership

Posted by GK 2004-08-24 6:14:07 PM|| 2004-08-24 6:14:07 PM|| Front Page Top

#2 I love Ralph.. I wonder if he has any extra children I could raise as my own.

Posted by B 2004-08-24 6:15:54 PM|| 2004-08-24 6:15:54 PM|| Front Page Top

#3 This guy nails it.

I havent been able to really put my innermost "this bugs me about Kerry" into words until I read this piece.

Now I know. Its his incessant bragging.

I dont go out pointing out my bronze star, nor my other awards unless someone asks - they sit there in my presentation case, and that sits on the mantle at home. Same goes for my "Brag Wall" certificates and award/commendation letters for my actions as a non-uniformed person in service to my country.

The only place I really talk details about them is at the VFW or at the Legion. And mainly with guys that I see as heroes, because they did the hard things, and came home to jackoffs like Kerry and his VVAW, or to silence like the Koreran War vets.

I've met guys like this in public places, like PTA meetings, who brag about what they did. Then I invite them to join me at the Legion or VFW to "tell war stories with the guys", and they always, ALWAYS, back off. Its the firm handshake, the look in the eye, the military language and general demeanor when military things are discussed that gives away a real vet - and in the case of a Marine, a "Semper Fi" will always slip out.

Kerry seems to have crossed the line between the truth, and the war stories we tell each other when we are drininkg at the Legion or VFW.

Do you know how to tell the difference between a Fairy Tale, and a War Story?

A fairly tale begins once upon a time...

War Stories start off with "No shit, this really happened, there we were..."

Posted by OldSpook 2004-08-24 8:59:56 PM|| 2004-08-24 8:59:56 PM|| Front Page Top

#4 I asked my Dad when I was a kid if he got any medals, and he said no; he should have got some for what he did, but he never did. He said that other guys got some for lesser deeds. There was no bitterness. He felt part of of his unit and that was enough for him. Later on I found out he always volunteered for first wave: Cape Gloucester, Peleliu, and Okinawa. 31 months in the Pacific, humble man, great deeds, few words. Miss the old guy.

Posted by Alaska Paul 2004-08-24 9:11:50 PM|| 2004-08-24 9:11:50 PM|| Front Page Top

#5 modesty speaks a lot louder, AP. I bet your Dad was a good man

Posted by Frank G 2004-08-24 9:33:02 PM|| 2004-08-24 9:33:02 PM|| Front Page Top

#6 Peleliu AND Okie?

Sheesh - just to live through both of those is the mark of a hero I'd like to have been able to buy him a shot of whiskey (or a beer).

And you'll note that the War Story joke above has one grain of truth in it...

"there we were..."

Posted by OldSpook 2004-08-24 10:08:24 PM|| 2004-08-24 10:08:24 PM|| Front Page Top

#7 OldSpook---One third of the original troops Dad left with survived to the end of the war. His best buddy committed suicide in 1964, survivor guilt. Dad's most dangerous time occurred on Okinawa. He and his buddy were told to take their amphib to a certain coordinate by nightfall. They did. Nobody else there. That night, our Navy shelled the shit out of the place. Dad and buddy were tossed around and tenderized all night. In the Am some guys showed up, said what in the hell were you doing there? the Navy shells the place all the night to keep the Japanese away........../end war story

Posted by Alaska Paul 2004-08-24 10:13:35 PM|| 2004-08-24 10:13:35 PM|| Front Page Top

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