Tonight I am going to tell her about all my loses.
All my loses while wearing the stars and stripes on my shoulder.
I am going to tell her about Joel, Christopher, Chad, and Luke.
I'm going to tell her about Joel, about how hard he wanted to make E-5, about his valor, about his dedication, about the decissions he made, knowing well what the price was. My wife knows his widow, and their baby girl born a week after he was killed. She knows he was my brother, she doesn't know he volunteered to be there, to get off the Stryker, the one he was the commander of, to dismount, and come with me and hit the enemy on the ground, because he was an E-4 promotable, but didn't have much experience on the ground, since he was a vehicle commander.
I am going to tell her about Christopher, the smartest guy I have met in the army. He could fix anything. He could have been an officer, he could have been anything but an infantryman. Yet he chosed to. He left behind two boys, a 2 and a 4 year old. He was strong, tall, and smart. A hard conbination to be bornt with.
I'm going to tell her about Chad and Luke, my brothers in arms, killed in action the same day. She knew them well, and their wives, and the two baby girls they left behind, but she didn't know their bravery, how Chad fought like a hero of old while wounded, how Luke charged the enemy linear ambush through the enemy bullets when he saw Chad's team ambushed. I looked into Luke's eyes just before he died, and I saw the pain for the daughter he knew he would never see grow up, and the acceptance for knowing he did the only thing he could have done, to charge and destroy the enemy, even though we were outnumbered.
I stand as a witness to their bravery.
Their sacrifice shall not be forgotten.
America can stand proud of her sons.
They can take on anyone, no matter the odds!
:(
Anything special brought this on?
Quote from: The Brain on June 06, 2011, 01:47:10 AM
:(
Anything special brought this on?
Joel was killed on June 23th, 2007, during the surge in Bagdad.
June is not a happy month.
:console:
This poem sucks.
:(
This thread isn't nearly as funny as the title calls for.
Sorry about your comrades, Siege.
Now I just feel like shit... siegy gets to be good old stupid siegy when he talks about his dead comrades and we love him for it.
Edit: Siegy, does this mean you will do no more tours?
Sorry seige. Do you happen to see anyone? Army shrink or something.
What did your wife say?
Quote from: Razgovory on June 06, 2011, 07:22:16 AM
What did your wife say?
I feel horrible for chuckling at this. :blush:
Anyway, Siegy, that's kinda shitty and I feel sorry for you and your buddies. War is a shitty profession. :hug:
Siege, tough stuff, and tough losses that you've been through. I can't imagine it, never having been close to being in your shoes, but I try to understand your pain as best I can. I hope you've been able to get help in dealing with this. :console:
Respect.
Quote from: Martinus on June 06, 2011, 02:23:30 AM
This poem sucks.
:huh: What is your problem? It's not necessary for you to attention-whore in every thread.
Siegy, this might not be a good idea, it might place too heavy a burden on your wife, that she can't deal with; rather than bringing the two of you closer together it might have the opposite effect ?
Wouldn't it be better to get some advice from the on-base counseling or psychological services first ?
Take a step back, open a couple of millier lites and watch some mindless tv instead.
Quote from: Habbaku on June 06, 2011, 11:28:39 AM
Quote from: Martinus on June 06, 2011, 02:23:30 AM
This poem sucks.
:huh: What is your problem? It's not necessary for you to attention-whore in every thread.
I was feeling snarky in the morning. Happens sometimes.
Has Seigy posted since starting this thread and has anyone been in off-forum contact with him ?
What's up?
Quote from: jamesww on June 06, 2011, 02:28:16 PM
Siegy, this might not be a good idea, it might place too heavy a burden on your wife, that she can't deal with; rather than bringing the two of you closer together it might have the opposite effect ?
Wouldn't it be better to get some advice from the on-base counseling or psychological services first ?
Take a step back, open a couple of millier lites and watch some mindless tv instead.
Good advise.
It is what I ended up doing.
Didn't have the courage to tell her.
Somehow it is easier to type something than to put it in words.
Quote from: Siege on June 13, 2011, 06:18:55 PM
Quote from: jamesww on June 06, 2011, 02:28:16 PM
Siegy, this might not be a good idea, it might place too heavy a burden on your wife, that she can't deal with; rather than bringing the two of you closer together it might have the opposite effect ?
Wouldn't it be better to get some advice from the on-base counseling or psychological services first ?
Take a step back, open a couple of millier lites and watch some mindless tv instead.
Good advise.
It is what I ended up doing.
Didn't have the courage to tell her.
Somehow it is easier to type something than to put it in words.
Excellent, good man :cheers:
Rather than trust my own very limited experience in these matters, I went round and spoke to an ex-British army mate of mine, he didn't see the same amount of combat you have, but he said they're was plenty of things he didn't and couldn't tell his wife; the above was my distillation of his advice.
I've always been interested by the lack of war stories. It's understandable nowadays with our small armed forces, but in my childhood the country was full of WW2 vets and elderly WW1 vets, plus I lived in army barracks most of the time because of the old man's job.............and yet very few stories.....
I guess a lot of guys who have seen action simply put it in a separate compartment, to keep us in blissful ignorance about the realities perhaps :hmm: ?
If only gays would do the same. :(
Quote from: Richard Hakluyt on June 14, 2011, 01:42:02 AM
I've always been interested by the lack of war stories. It's understandable nowadays with our small armed forces, but in my childhood the country was full of WW2 vets and elderly WW1 vets, plus I lived in army barracks most of the time because of the old man's job.............and yet very few stories.....
I guess a lot of guys who have seen action simply put it in a separate compartment, to keep us in blissful ignorance about the realities perhaps :hmm: ?
Yeah, same here. My granps never talk about it. Just a few stories here and there, anecdotal stuff. There was an uncomfortable silence whenever i asked them about it in my younger years, so I stopped asking. Some stuff is better left alone.
Quote from: Richard Hakluyt on June 14, 2011, 01:42:02 AM
I've always been interested by the lack of war stories. It's understandable nowadays with our small armed forces, but in my childhood the country was full of WW2 vets and elderly WW1 vets, plus I lived in army barracks most of the time because of the old man's job.............and yet very few stories.....
I guess a lot of guys who have seen action simply put it in a separate compartment, to keep us in blissful ignorance about the realities perhaps :hmm: ?
Yeah, I have heard plenty of stories from family members, but they were civilians caught up in the shitstorm.
The only relative I had semi-regular contact with who was both old and unlucky enough to actually fought in WW2 was at the disaster at the Don river. But I only learned this not long before he died. During one of our visits, the old man (I can't say I liked him much, but I did respect him) told some stories which were rather moving, and I regret I was too young and can't remember everything. But I do recall I was shocked to see that cold and silent and tough-as-balls old man struggle with so strong emotions.
Yeah, the stories I've been told have been...
Wait.
We haven't been to war for hundreds of years. :yeah:
:nelson:
My great uncle kept his war stories to himself until he started to suffer from Alzheimer's. At that point he began sharing them with everyone within listening range. :cool:
Quote from: Caliga on June 14, 2011, 06:46:08 AM
My great uncle kept his war stories to himself until he started to suffer from Alzheimer's. At that point he began sharing them with everyone within listening range. :cool:
pls pls pls was he in the ss
Nope, he was a US Navy pilot stationed in the Pacific, flying PBY Catalina flying boats. :console:
:zzz
Quote from: Richard Hakluyt on June 14, 2011, 01:42:02 AM
I've always been interested by the lack of war stories. It's understandable nowadays with our small armed forces, but in my childhood the country was full of WW2 vets and elderly WW1 vets, plus I lived in army barracks most of the time because of the old man's job.............and yet very few stories.....
I guess a lot of guys who have seen action simply put it in a separate compartment, to keep us in blissful ignorance about the realities perhaps :hmm: ?
Plenty of war stories have been put in print.
As I said, it is easier to type about your experience than to tell somebody that wasn't there.
Why?
I really don't know.
I guess when you are typing you are kind of talking to yourself.
And more importantly, your personal emotions are safe behind the computer screen.
I don't think I have ever EVER talked with anybody about my personal experience face to face.
I mean, with my friends that were there with me we get drunk and talk about the our brothers that didn't come home.
But for example, my new buddies in my new unit, they don't know, and I will never tell them.
I mean, we talk a lot about our deployments and we share our experiences from the tactical point of view, but we all avoid the painful details.
That makes sense Siege.
If you ever do write it down I for one would be interested in reading.
Quote from: Richard Hakluyt on June 14, 2011, 01:42:02 AM
I guess a lot of guys who have seen action simply put it in a separate compartment, to keep us in blissful ignorance about the realities perhaps :hmm: ?
Also, keep in mind that statisticly few people are involved in actual combat.
There are 7.5 soldiers per 1 infantryman in the US Army.
I believe this proportion was even higher during WW2.
And even though non-infantry soldiers can have a couple of bad days during a deployment, do not kid yourselves, in the infantry is were shit happens and were people pay the price.
I suspect many of these veterans may be witnesses to grity scenes, but that do not make them infantry.
Not to diminish their service. We cannot advance far without supplies.
But if you want to make a diference on the battlefield, there is only one job for you.
You're an awesome soldier, who'll never have to buy a drink for yourself if you ever wind up in Iceland. :) No, seriously.
Tell your wife that when you need a good punchline.
Well....at least the drinks'll be free in Iceland. ;)
Quote from: Siege on June 14, 2011, 08:31:48 PM
But if you want to make a diference on the battlefield, there is only one job for you.
In a tank?
Quote from: Siege on June 14, 2011, 08:31:48 PM
But if you want to make a diference on the battlefield, there is only one job for you.
Infantry win battles, support personnel win wars. ;)
I can't think of anyone who personifies the Queen of Battle better than Siege. :)
Quote from: Siege on June 14, 2011, 08:31:48 PM
Also, keep in mind that statisticly few people are involved in actual combat.
There are 7.5 soldiers per 1 infantryman in the US Army.
Even with all of our private contractors? We should do it like the Roman Army and have all the support services also be done by infantry men :P
Quote from: Peter Wiggin on June 15, 2011, 01:05:45 AM
Quote from: Siege on June 14, 2011, 08:31:48 PM
But if you want to make a diference on the battlefield, there is only one job for you.
Infantry win battles, support personnel win wars. ;)
Amateurs discuss tactics; dilettantes, strategy; but professionals talk about logistics. ;)
Cooks are the most important part of the military.
Quote from: Grey Fox on June 15, 2011, 10:06:42 AM
Cooks are the most important part of the military.
A army does indeed march on its stomach. Although they have feild rations now, so their cooks are machines somewhere desicating meals.
Quote from: HVC on June 15, 2011, 10:15:32 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on June 15, 2011, 10:06:42 AM
Cooks are the most important part of the military.
A army does indeed march on its stomach. Although they have feild rations now, so their cooks are machines somewhere desicating meals.
The best kind of cooks. (I.E. Don't complain, don't go on strike, and, more importantly, don't need to be paid).
I'm terribly sorry for your losses Siege. Death is natural but rarely pleasant. Doubly so in war.
Quote from: Grey Fox on June 15, 2011, 10:06:42 AM
Cooks are the most important part of the military.
If you can't feed, you can't fight - at least, not for long. ;)
Quote from: Malthus on June 15, 2011, 09:36:47 AM
Quote from: Peter Wiggin on June 15, 2011, 01:05:45 AM
Quote from: Siege on June 14, 2011, 08:31:48 PM
But if you want to make a diference on the battlefield, there is only one job for you.
Infantry win battles, support personnel win wars. ;)
Amateurs discuss tactics; dilettantes, strategy; but professionals talk about logistics. ;)
The logistics of how to supply fuel and firebombs for our air forces, perhaps.
Quote from: Grey Fox on June 15, 2011, 10:06:42 AM
Cooks are the most important part of the military.
My Great Grandfather was an army cook during WWI. Didn't stop him from fighting (or getting shot).
Quote from: Razgovory on June 15, 2011, 08:41:43 PM
Quote from: Grey Fox on June 15, 2011, 10:06:42 AM
Cooks are the most important part of the military.
My Great Grandfather was an army cook during WWI. Didn't stop him from fighting (or getting shot).
I know cooks with CABs (Combat Action Badge)
They got shot at while traveling in some convoy.
Appearenly they shot back.
One of them even got a Purple Heart, when got wounded by shrapnell from a mortar round that hit the mess hall in FOB Falcon, Baghdad.
They were very proud of their exploits.
I see they are ditching the black beret.
Quote from: Ed Anger on June 16, 2011, 07:53:31 PM
I see they are ditching the black beret.
In ACUs, will still be used for the service uniform (or if the local commander has a beret fetish).
Quote from: Ed Anger on June 16, 2011, 07:53:31 PM
I see they are ditching the black beret.
Thank God. That was hideous. The older cap was much better.
Quote from: Siege on June 16, 2011, 07:41:57 PM
Quote from: Razgovory on June 15, 2011, 08:41:43 PM
Quote from: Grey Fox on June 15, 2011, 10:06:42 AM
Cooks are the most important part of the military.
My Great Grandfather was an army cook during WWI. Didn't stop him from fighting (or getting shot).
I know cooks with CABs (Combat Action Badge)
They got shot at while traveling in some convoy.
Appearenly they shot back.
One of them even got a Purple Heart, when got wounded by shrapnell from a mortar round that hit the mess hall in FOB Falcon, Baghdad.
They were very proud of their exploits.
Don't know how they were organized in 1918, but I think was a higher percentage of men thrown into the fight. Tactics were a bit different then, and the US wasn't on the cutting edge of tactics at the time. I think they tended to still throw waves of men at the enemy.
Quote from: Ed Anger on June 16, 2011, 07:53:31 PM
I see they are ditching the black beret.
Good. Seems over all that soldiers are happy about this. I never liked the idea of a beret as the cap for all/most personnel.
Quote from: Razgovory on June 16, 2011, 09:36:15 PM
Quote from: Siege on June 16, 2011, 07:41:57 PM
Quote from: Razgovory on June 15, 2011, 08:41:43 PM
Quote from: Grey Fox on June 15, 2011, 10:06:42 AM
Cooks are the most important part of the military.
My Great Grandfather was an army cook during WWI. Didn't stop him from fighting (or getting shot).
I know cooks with CABs (Combat Action Badge)
They got shot at while traveling in some convoy.
Appearenly they shot back.
One of them even got a Purple Heart, when got wounded by shrapnell from a mortar round that hit the mess hall in FOB Falcon, Baghdad.
They were very proud of their exploits.
Don't know how they were organized in 1918, but I think was a higher percentage of men thrown into the fight. Tactics were a bit different then, and the US wasn't on the cutting edge of tactics at the time. I think they tended to still throw waves of men at the enemy.
Those waves of men consumed tons and tons of food, water and fuel on a daily basis, at the end of a very long supply line.