cbergen
11-18-2006, 01:59 AM
I find myself in Chicago at the Marine Corps Ball tonite, and I must say the caliber of the Marines that I see tonight make me feel good about the security and well being of America.
While I was not a U.S. Marine, spent my time in the Army instead, I did work with the Marines on a few occasions, carrying them in my Chinook. And I was always impressed with their discipline and attention to orders.
Tonite I got to see the other side, the side that lets loose, the side that is necessary to keep these young men and women on the fence, to defend this democracy of ours.
I was asked to attend this Ball as we donated a helicopter to raffle off to raise money to cover the expense involved in an excellent dinner and an open bar for a few hundred Marines and their wives and families. I have to say the Honor was all mine, after meeting these true Americans, from their Commander, Major Fichtner, to the youngest, Private Hall. Almost everyone of them thanked me for the donation of the heli, those that I missed were busy catching up with girlfriends and wives, and I certainly could not begrudge that time.....
A most curious thing though, I thought I recognized a lot of these Marines. They reminded me of some of the soldiers that I served with in Germany and Ft. Bragg. Must be the fact that they are defenders of our country, Invincible in nature, hardened by Combat, yet able to help those individuals that have nothing, that have been repressed by a brutal dictator. They retain their Humanity, their ability to give their last ration to a hungry civilian, to give their cherished chocolate to a child, so that they may know the pleasure of a Hershey Bar.
It has been my distinct honor to dine and party with these True Americans, as young as they may be, as innocent of their place in history, Thank You.
While I was not a U.S. Marine, spent my time in the Army instead, I did work with the Marines on a few occasions, carrying them in my Chinook. And I was always impressed with their discipline and attention to orders.
Tonite I got to see the other side, the side that lets loose, the side that is necessary to keep these young men and women on the fence, to defend this democracy of ours.
I was asked to attend this Ball as we donated a helicopter to raffle off to raise money to cover the expense involved in an excellent dinner and an open bar for a few hundred Marines and their wives and families. I have to say the Honor was all mine, after meeting these true Americans, from their Commander, Major Fichtner, to the youngest, Private Hall. Almost everyone of them thanked me for the donation of the heli, those that I missed were busy catching up with girlfriends and wives, and I certainly could not begrudge that time.....
A most curious thing though, I thought I recognized a lot of these Marines. They reminded me of some of the soldiers that I served with in Germany and Ft. Bragg. Must be the fact that they are defenders of our country, Invincible in nature, hardened by Combat, yet able to help those individuals that have nothing, that have been repressed by a brutal dictator. They retain their Humanity, their ability to give their last ration to a hungry civilian, to give their cherished chocolate to a child, so that they may know the pleasure of a Hershey Bar.
It has been my distinct honor to dine and party with these True Americans, as young as they may be, as innocent of their place in history, Thank You.