The Veteran Thread

[FlowerFem]

Jagg wrote,
I am a Marine. (once a Marine....) I was a drill instructor.
Loved every second I was there , I lived my dream. Got kicked out for being gay. You can read about it in a book called "Conduct Unbecoming." By Randy Shilts. Long story. Too long to explain. The book doesn't state all the facts, mainly because I refused to be interviewed by anyone. But court martials are public record, so they got most of the info from that, and then some other info from those who were willing to tell their story .So not always accurate, or the whole complete truth, since it didn't come straight from the horses' mouth, so to speak. None-the-less the book gives you the general idea of what happened.
But don't think I'm bitter, because nothing could be less true. I love the Marine Corps it was my dream to be a Marine. Although it was hard to have the dream taken away, I'm always proud to say I am a Marine. I lived my dream, not many people can say that. Some people live their whole life and never know what that feels like. But I do. And I will always be grateful for that. If I could add one more comment, don't hold it against the Marine Corps, because it wasn't the Corps , just a few homophobic people in it. I had a lot of secret support, from alot of straight hard corps Marines. Doing things that could have gotten them in big trouble, to help me as much as they could.
Hey Semper Fi Oddz. I'm all present and accounted for.
JAGG
__________________
Wow Jagg that is incredible. Just the fact that you were a Marine amazes me. I'm going to run out and buy that book. But OMG I can't believe you could be so positive. I know butches who get stared at in public and crumble to pieces, you must be very strong. So you have a book written about you. You are famous then. hahaha Will you autograph it for me? Seriously will you ? I bet it's an amazing story I can't wait to read it. You are an incredible interesting person, if you don't mind a compliment.

[Tommi]

Subject: GovExec Story:

'Don't ask, don't tell' divides secretaries, commanders.

http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/1010/102210cd2.htm

Go to the link above to read the entire story and the Pro and Con commens at the bottom. To the Vet's and familes and children of Please COMMENT. Tommi

'Don't ask, don't tell' divides secretaries, commanders
By Sara Sorcher CongressDaily October 22, 2010

The three service secretaries now with the power to discharge any openly gay officer under the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy have all voiced their support for a repeal of the controversial policy in the past, putting them at odds with the senior military commanders.

"It's the first time in the 20 years I've spent studying the military that there has been a split between the Defense Secretary and the Secretary of the Joint Chiefs [who have voiced support of legislative repeal] and the other chiefs," said professor David Segal, director of the University of Maryland's Center for Research on Military Organization.

A directive from Defense Secretary Robert Gates on Thursday limited discharges under the policy to an elite team of five: the Air Force, Army, and Navy Secretaries in conjunction with the Pentagon's legal counsel and the undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness.

(Link above please see and add your comments., The comments are being read by many.
Thanks Tommi.)

[JAGG]

Originally Posted by FlowerFem

Wow Jagg that is incredible. Just the fact that you were a Marine amazes me. I'm going to run out and buy that book. But OMG I can't believe you could be so positive. I know butches who get stared at in public and crumble to pieces, you must be very strong. So you have a book written about you. You are famous then. hahaha Will you autograph it for me? Seriously will you ? I bet it's an amazing story I can't wait to read it. You are an incredible interesting person, if you don't mind a compliment.

It's not that exciting flower.

[theoddz]

Originally Posted by JAGG

It's not that exciting flower.

Well, my Brother, there aren't many who can say they've done what we've done. To us, we know and understand what it is to stand the watch and what it is to leave family and friends behind while we go to "exciting places" and do "exciting things". It's really not that exciting from our perspective, but from the ordinary civilian's viewpoint, what we do is pretty cool.

We did what other people only can dream about. All of us who have worn the uniform of our countries have made a profound difference that way. We are unique. The branches may be different, but we all stepped forward to volunteer, and for that we have done what many others have not done. No one forced us to join. We did it of our own free will and gladly so.

To those people who have such admiration for us, I say thank you. We Vets have made a very special contribution. We saw something larger than ourselves and made a conscious decision to make sacrifices not asked of others. We have many reasons to take pride in each of the uniforms we have worn, be it Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard or Marine. We are one family. We are Butch and we are Femme and there are many who live in the gray undefined areas between the two.

This thread is for all of us. This thread honors and celebrates all of our service. This thread is for those who appreciate our service, too. Thanks to everyone who has posted here in support of us.

Semper Fi,
~Theo~

[JAGG]

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Originally Posted by theoddz

Well, my Brother, there aren't many who can say they've done what we've done. To us, we know and understand what it is to stand the watch and what it is to leave family and friends behind while we go to "exciting places" and do "exciting things". It's really not that exciting from our perspective, but from the ordinary civilian's viewpoint, what we do is pretty cool.

We did what other people only can dream about. All of us who have worn the uniform of our countries have made a profound difference that way. We are unique. The branches may be different, but we all stepped forward to volunteer, and for that we have done what many others have not done. No one forced us to join. We did it of our own free will and gladly so.

To those people who have such admiration for us, I say thank you. We Vets have made a very special contribution. We saw something larger than ourselves and made a conscious decision to make sacrifices not asked of others. We have many reasons to take pride in each of the uniforms we have worn, be it Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard or Marine. We are one family. We are Butch and we are Femme and there are many who live in the gray undefined areas between the two.

This thread is for all of us. This thread honors and celebrates all of our service. This thread is for those who appreciate our service, too. Thanks to everyone who has posted here in support of us.

Semper Fi,
~Theo~

I know Oddz. I meant the book isn't that exciting.

[Cowboi]

The Traveling Vietnam Memorial Wall is in my town today.
How humbling to stand in the presence of, and read(through tears) the names of so many that lost their lives.

[theoddz]

An organization of Marines was authorized when the Continental Congress made the following resolution on November 10, 1775:

“Resolved, That two battalions of Marines be raised consisting of one colonel, two lieutenant-colonels, two majors, and other officers, as usual in other regiments; that they consist of an equal number of privates with other battalions; that particular care be taken that no persons be appointed to office, or enlisted into said battaions but such as are good seamen, or so acquainted with maritime affairs as to be able to serve with advantage by sea when required; that they be enlisted and commissioned to serve for and during the present War with Great Britain and the colonies, unless dismissed by order of Congress; that they be distinguished by names of First and Second Battalions of American Marines, and that they be considered as part of the number which the Continental Army before Boston is ordered to consist of.”



Happy 235th Birthday, Marines!!!!!

Semper Fi!!!!

~Theo~

[Tommi]

Happy Birthday to the Corp and all those who died to keep us free, and to those Vets that served. Send courage and safe home coming to all those men and women still in harms way in ths crazy way the world fights today.

[Tommi]

Originally Posted by Cowboi

The Traveling Vietnam Memorial Wall is in my town today.
How humbling to stand in the presence of, and read(through tears) the names of so many that lost their lives.

Thanks for the post Cowboi. We sometimes forget the conflict our country has seen. My town is establishing a permanent memorial now. It used to be just flowers at a corner for some local fallen hero's and grew and grew till it is now going to be dedicated. We saw protestors, vandals, and just outright nasty crap hold up progress. People wanted their children's park instead. This weekend is the dedication.

Irvine Long War Memorial Dedication
by Andy Zelinko Monday, Nov. 01, 2010 at 8:42 AM

The Irvine Long War Memorial will be dedicated 14 Nov. This is the US's first and only memorial to ongoing wars. Like the Vietnam-memorial it has space for 8K names of the dead. It will be more than half filled of course on the 14th, from Iraq and AfPak, but it will be updated yearly with new military dead names. No need for perpetual wars to end in the new world order. Full schedule available at www.northwoodmemorial.com

[JustJo]

Just popping in to say thank you to all who have served