"...went to drop off daughter the younger at airport for deployment (6th time) to a part of the world where I don't want her to be, specially with this CiC...."

"Nothing like waking up on a Saturday morning to find out I'm on a terrorist list courtesy of the US Army. Huh. Maybe they'll order my son to shoot me." - mama winger

M/Sgt. Oresko - and best of all, he went on to live to be 96! Thanks for posting about him.

"I am hoping that the psychologist who assessed Terry will read [Larkin's biography]. If he does, he will no longer ask why Lt. Col. Lakin did what he did, but rather why others who had sworn to defend the Constitution — Congress included — did not do the same."

Cashill nails it, doesn't he? The real tragedy isn't the one man who took his oath seriously and stood by the Constitution. Larkin is a hero, not a tragic figure, because he did the right thing and kept his honor, regardless of what he suffered for doing so.

Romney meets plane full of veterans. Actual news in the article cp Philip Rucker's propaganda version.

"Not many of these guys left." After Mrs Ww and I watched the Chicago one (I won't re-post it; YouTube zSF0S50c9c0), we were noting the same thing, the all-too-rapidly dwindling numbers, all those wheelchairs & canes, and I recalled, when we were children, there were still a few Civil War vets alive.

Measured by short human lifespans, WW2 or the Civil War especially were a long time ago, but I remember, as a kid reading war comics, being impressed by how WW2 had only ended so few years back. Europe was still rebuilding! Lots of modern folks have a perspective about as long as the last TV season, if that, but I think we ought to have the perspective that the Cold War, the World Wars, historically, they just happened. The dangers are not long ago and far away. They're still here and now.

I've watched this three times now, and I just can't keep from getting all teary. Why try?

http://youtu.be/FgecqttxoQg

Of all the horrors of war and national division during my high school and college years, over Viet Nam and the Draft and all, one of the most lingering, sickening memories was the abuse heaped on returning soldiers. It's hard to convey to my kids, it's so unbelievable. I wasn't clear about all the issues (in an era when our main source of information was Walter Cronkite), but I was always clear on this: It didn't matter what you thought about the war or politics or the draft, these returning men and women deserved congratulations, thanks, and to be given good jobs, and they got spit, derision, and ostracism.

That abominable history just makes scenes like this all the more sweet to watch, though.

What are the comparative numbers on the size of the military in those years? What changes of culture or technology, training or techniques actually effected the difference in non-hostile deaths? Knowing what made the difference over those 25 years could be important to continuing the trend.

Oh, you think you're hardened and steeled for anything. Kleenex alert, indeed! Then, the moment of the first bit of applause, uncontrollable lacrymation. Well done. The drama sneaks up on you. Of course, you didn't take Bob's warning and had to use your sleeve. And by you, of course, I mean me.

It's been a long time since I was in high school watching on TV as our returning Nam vets got spit on and cursed at, but I can't forget and all the more appreciate for the contrast how they are honored now. (Alas that their war seems to be going much the same.)

We just had two locals not come home alive, nineteen-year-old Spc. Sarina Butcher, of Checotah, the first female Oklahoma National Guard soldier killed during wartime, and 26-year-old Sgt. Christopher Gailey, of Ochelata, funeral here today. (Patriot Guard is on patrol; threat of Westboro slime.)
Spc Butcher (KJRH)
Sgt Gailey (E-E)

From Aug 10, 2010 (amazed I found this in my mountain of bookmarks!):

[quoting]
Ruby Bartlett of Ramona [Oklahoma] would like to announce that her boyfriend Specialist Joe Whetstone of Bartlesville will be entering the Tulsa Airport and will be greeted by the Patriot Guard Riders.

The Patriot Guard Rider’s assist in “coming home welcomes” as well as burial needs.

Ruby would like to ask anyone wanting to participate in the welcome home to make posters or just stand along the road waving this young man back to his family.

...The Patriot Guard Riders will meet Spc. Whetstone at the Tulsa Airport.

He will be saluted by The Guard Riders and they will hold a small ceremony at the airport. The Guard Riders will escort Whetstone all the way to his home in Bartlesville.
[Endquote]

Beautiful, isn't it! And as Khemo noted, quite a contrast to the shameful way those returning from Nam were sometimes greeted. In a way, we're still making up for that, and I think of that every time I thank a vet for his or her service. The website in the article is www.patriotguard.org. Check it out for more info!