The Marine Behind "Taking Chance"

Lt.Col Mike Strobl, USMC stops by the Editor's Desk to talk about his moving story "Taking Chance" that has been made into an HBO movie starring Kevin Bacon. How did escorting the remains of a fallen warrior change Mike's life? What does he think about the average American's attitude toward the military and national sacrifice?

 

 

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[cdr p.w. prawl, usn ret]

I had a similar experience as a funeral escort in 1968, escorting my close cousin, more so since we had grown up close and his wife & 2 children accompanied me on the aircraft, etc.
even though Vietnam war may have been unpopular in SOME places, it wasn't in the MIDWEST!

[Tom Cantwell]

As a young Lieutenant, I led several funeral details for veterans. My teams took this detail seriously and honored our brethren. I have recently been in Arlington on a number of occasions burying friends, most recently, a family friend who was finally recovered and identified from a C-130 crash in Vietnam. MAJ McElroy was interred in the same coffin with the other 4 members of his crew. In honoring their deaths, we honor their lives, their service, their sacrifice.

[Brandon Delgado]

I really think that the question of the attitude towards the military has been miscomprehended. The average person respects the military and the sacrifices they make for our country. What the average American is against is a war where our loved ones are dying and that had no sense to begin with.

[Dick Wangler]

Mr. Delgado,

Your opinion is just that - an opinion. And while you are certainly entitled to it (a luxury provided to you by the men and women who have served in the Armed Forces of the United States), the "miscomprehension" as you put it does not match with the facts.

I was a junior in high school when the US Embassy in Siagon was evacuated, and I later served with a few Marines who took part in that operation (Frequent Wind - 1975). I remember many instances during the Viet-Nam war where our retruning servicemen were spat upon, pelted with eggs, tomatoes, etc. Your "miscomprehension" does not stand up to fact.

Before you attempt to rewrite history, sir, ensure that there are no longer eyewitnesses.

This war is no different. The detractors possess neither the historical knowledge nor an understanding of the socialogical implications and ramifications regarding tyrrany and opression. The Global War on Terror needs to be waged and won for the sake of the Middle East, Western Civilization and humanity in general. This is my opinion, but it has been formed by over two decades of research and observation - and it stands hand in hand with fact.

Semper Fidelis
RTW
USMC '76 - '83
USMCR '86 - '95

[Dick Wangler]

Mr. Delgado,

Your opinion is just that - an opinion. And while you are certainly entitled to it (a luxury provided to you by the men and women who have served in the Armed Forces of the United States), the "miscomprehension" as you put it does not match with the facts.

I was a junior in high school when the US Embassy in Siagon was evacuated, and I later served with a few Marines who took part in that operation (Frequent Wind - 1975). I remember many instances during the Viet-Nam war where our retruning servicemen were spat upon, pelted with eggs, tomatoes, etc. Your "miscomprehension" does not stand up to fact.

Before you attempt to rewrite history, sir, ensure that there are no longer eyewitnesses.

This war is no different. The detractors possess neither the historical knowledge nor an understanding of the socialogical implications and ramifications regarding tyrrany and opression. The Global War on Terror needs to be waged and won for the sake of the Middle East, Western Civilization and humanity in general. This is my opinion, but it has been formed by over two decades of research and observation - and it stands hand in hand with fact.

Semper Fidelis

[William D Kuehl]

I know some disagree but terany must be fought, bolth by force and deplomacy when we fail to stand up against those who create terany we devalue thouse who do not have the freedoms we have. We should lose them for being couadly and not demanding the the same for all not just americans

[Andy Duran]

God Bless all who served so honorably. Those who gave their lives should be remembered. I was a Casualty Assistance Calls Officer for 3 years in the late 60s & early 70s and it was the most difficult assignment I ever had.

[Andy Duran]

God Bless all who served our country. Those who gave their lives should be remembered and their names posted in their home towns. I served as Casualty Assistance Calls Officer in the late 60s & early 70s and it was the most difficult assignment I ever had.

[Mrs. Leigh Shaw]

Mr. Wangler -

My husband is currently deployed to Afghanistan - our third deployment overseas in the last 2 years. Your comment was beautifully written and truly appreciated. As a wife of an Active United States Marine, I just want to say thank you.

God bless & Semper Fi.

Leigh Shaw

[Mrs. Leigh Shaw]

Mr. Wangler -

My husband is currently deployed to Afghanistan - our third deployment overseas in the last 2 years. Your comment was beautifully written and truly appreciated. As the wife of an Active United States Marine, I just want to say thank you.

God bless & Semper Fi.

Leigh Shaw

[Scott Thornberry]

Dear Mr. Wangler: Your last paragraph would have sounded eerily perfect coming out of the mouth of General Jack
Ripper, the lunatic who starts
WWIII, (oooooh, aaaaah, Jesus,
blah, blah blah), in the movie
Dr. Strangelove. Sir, when
General Smedley Butler says
that he had been a "RACKETEER FOR CAPITALISM" and "COULD
HAVE GIVEN AL CAPONE A FEW HINTS" could you for one
moment Imagine that perhaps,
just maybe, he had a "few" of
what even you would have to
call "FACTS" to "PROVE" these,
and many other, equally bold
assertions? Yes, I can see it
now, headstones to the sky,
all carved with the same
epithet, "THIS WAR IS NO
DIFFERENT". Wow, who needs God
when you've got "facts" on
your side. $emper Fry

[John Vasquez]

I saw "Taking Chance" at the Sundance Film Festival and it was an excellent movie. Kevin Bacon did an excellent job as LtCol Strobl. As an ex-sailor it was a very touching movie. Yes, I cried. I recommend this movie to everyone. It was not political in anyway, it was about what a soldier goes through with this kind of detail.

[Joe Verser]

Mr. Thornberry,

Your bizarre response does no credit to you or those like you who have similar ignorant responses to hard realities learned over centuries of history. In large part it is because foolish people with the attitude you espouse that we re-learn these lessons at a terrible cost that all too often you, the ignorant, do not pay and clearly do not understand.
Your ignorance is only permanent if you so choose. You have a choice to leave the imaginary world you've cited as "fact", learn that evil is real and make a positive contribution to defeat it. Those of us in the real world who have personally seen the tyrannies and witnessed the slaughters you so casually denigrate testify to the facts Mr. Wangler refers to. The victims of those and future horrors do not enjoy the freedom to choose that you may exercise if you have the emotional and intellectual courage to re-examine your limited conceptual framework.

Joe Verser
USMA 1983
US Army

[THUDDOME]

Pinhead Thornberry,
This is no movie sir, this is the world we live in. Go smoke your joint, climb into your Prius, and bitch and whine about the wars. Until you've sacrificed more than your Starbucks in the morning I say shut-up. If you don't like the US, then move. I hear Canada is a beautiful place all year long. God bless the Marines, Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen. Never forget our fallen - 1st Sgt Ed Smith - Fox 2-5...
Hooah!

[Spc Pete Matson]

I am a National Guardsman who has been deployed to Iraq. On July 31, 2006, my battle-buddy/brother-in-law, Spc Joshua Ford, was killed by an IED while on a convoy. I was chosen to be his escort home.

When I saw the trailor for this movie, I got chills and almost broke into tears. I instantly recalled those days of rendering honors on tarmacs and walking through strange airports in my Class A's. From what little I watched, this movie is about as close as a person can get to experiencing the real thing.

I can remember being in an economy seat, a getting bumped up to first-class. Knowing that the other passengers had places to go and people to see, and still being allowed off the plane first. Not telling anyone what my duties were, and still walking down the aisle to applause.

Although I did meet several people who asked offending questions, I believe this was due to ignorance of the facts, not to meanness.

I love the fact that films like this are coming out, and desparately hope that I have the chance to watch it.

[Spc Pete Matson]

I am a National Guardsman who has been deployed to Iraq. On July 31, 2006, my battle-buddy/brother-in-law, Spc Joshua Ford, was killed by an IED while on a convoy. I was chosen to be his escort home.

When I saw the trailor for this movie, I got chills and almost broke into tears. I instantly recalled those days of rendering honors on tarmacs and walking through strange airports in my Class A's. From what little I watched, this movie is about as close as a person can get to experiencing the real thing.

I can remember being in an economy seat, a getting bumped up to first-class. Knowing that the other passengers had places to go and people to see, and still being allowed off the plane first. Not telling anyone what my duties were, and still walking down the aisle to applause.

Although I did meet several people who asked offending questions, I believe this was due to ignorance of the facts, not to meanness.

I love the fact that films like this are coming out, and desparately hope that I have the chance to watch it.

[Spc Pete Matson]

I am a National Guardsman who has been deployed to Iraq. On July 31, 2006, my battle-buddy/brother-in-law, Spc Joshua Ford, was killed by an IED while on a convoy. I was chosen to be his escort home.

When I saw the trailor for this movie, I got chills and almost broke into tears. I instantly recalled those days of rendering honors on tarmacs and walking through strange airports in my Class A's. From what little I watched, this movie is about as close as a person can get to experiencing the real thing.
I can remember being in an economy seat, a getting bumped up to first-class. Knowing that the other passengers had places to go and people to see, and still being allowed off the plane first. Not telling anyone what my duties were, and still walking down the aisle to applause.
Although I did meet several people who asked offending questions, I believe this was due to ignorance of the facts, not to meanness.
I love the fact that films like this are coming out, and desparately hope that I have the chance to watch it.

[Capt. Gene Leone (Ret.) USA/USAF]

As a Vietnam Combat Vet' (enlisted) and later a commissioned officer, I have to add my comment to those made by Mr. Delgado. Mr. Delgado, when I came home from Vietnam, people called me "baby killer", threw rotten and rotting vegetables, eggs and even feces . Like you, Sir, they “disagreed” with the war, though, I’m sure, like YOU, they “supported the troops”. For the record, I gave up my 2-S deferment, enlisted when it was “unpopular” to do so. I also VOLUNTEERED for combat duty in ‘Nam, where I served with Pride and Dignity despite your ilk here at Home. You are free to think and say what ever you like. It’s just too bad you didn’t live in joe stalin’s (lower case intentional) Russia or hitler’s Germany where your comments would most likely bring, at the very least, a “visit in the night”. The beauty of the First Amendment of the Bill of Rights to the Constitution of the United States of America is you are given the right to political free speech. The other really neat thing about that is we don’t have to listen. Now, with all due respects, you’ve had your say. Shut your pie hole and stop showing disrespect to our wonderful Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines. Oh, by the way, the first combat casualty, Lt. Shane Childers, is buried an hour from my home here in Worland, in Powell, Wyoming. I knew Shane personally and like me and many others proudly serving their Country, Shane was prior enlisted, too.

[Phil Beckwith]

I am a retired Navy Chief with a retired son LT Col USMC. When Lt. Col Strobels story came out in a local magazine PFTUSA April-June 2004 issue I forwarded a copy of the article to my son {a Mustang major at the time} who was in Iraq at Alasad Air base. It got passed around and up the chain. I also wrote to the colonel and thanked him for his story. A while later HBO got involved. I knew Chance Phelps in a small way. I had met him twice, once when he was a passenger on the greyhound type bus I was driving when we had a good 30 minute conversation and once in a local sporting goods store just prior to his departure for Iraq. I asked Chance at this meeting to say hello to my son if he happened to run into him. He did not. Chance was one of those marines who had the physical shape that really did his uniform justice. He is buried on a hill overlooking the Wind River Valley to the west a valley he loved. The town of Dubois upgraded his burial site. I participated in the up grade in a small unknown way. This story TAKING CHANCE is a great tribute to all who serve and to all past and present. Thank you all.

[Thom Kohler]

It is quite apparent that Thornberry & Delgado are both drinking from the same batch of Kool-aid and I am sure that they both voted for obama (lower case intentional).

I served in the Marine Corp. back when it wasn't cool and tried to convince myself that I was only there for the training (Military Police) and College degree, but during my time, with the anti-
American attitude and inability to trust the government during the carter (lower case intentional) years, it was tough, but once President Reagan was elected, it all changed, both military and civilian were again proud to be Americans (except the radical left).

I guess the moral to my story is that we will continue having the anti-american radical left to smear and kick around the constitution and our traditional American way of life until we stand up and do something about it. Just like slavery, the ills of our society have to be dealt with.

[Susan Quinn]

Mr Thornberry would rather belive things made up in Hollywood than the real life experiences of the brave men and women who have served and those that continue to serve this country and know the true reality. They put their life on the line even for people like him. He doesn't know how lucky he is.

[Susan Quinn]

Mr Thornberry would rather belive things made up in Hollywood than the real life experiences of the brave men and wonem who have served and those that continue to serve this country and know the true reality. The put their life on the line even for people like him. He doesn't know how lucky he is.

[John Vasquez]

Mr. Thornberry:

You are lucky you live in a country where you have the constitutional right to voice your opinion. In some countries where I've been you would be shot or jailed for your opinion. In Cuba, 50 miles south of our shores, a friend of mine got jailed just for painting a political statement on a wall in a public place. Because of men like Chance Phelps you are able to continue your frivalous reterick.

[John Vasquez]

Mr. Thornberry:
You are lucky you live in a country where you have the constitutional right to voice your opinion. In some countries where I've been you would be shot or jailed for your opinion. In Cuba, 50 miles south of our shores, a friend of mine got jailed just for painting a political statement on a wall in a public place. Because of men like Chance Phelps you are able to continue your frivalous reterick.

[Chandler Carter]

I too have performed the Escort duty. This was for my younger brother, killed in a car accident while stationed in Italy.
As an Army Reserve TPU Soldier it was my honor, and privilege, to be able to bring him home from Dover. On the airplane with us was my brothers widow, our father (a retired CW3) and our youngest brother, an Infantry 2LT at that time and who escorted our brother from Italy to Dover.
It was the most beautiful thing I could have done for my brother, and my family.

Duty, Honor, Country.

[Ken Burkitt]

Dear mr Thornberry and Delgado. I am a marine combat veteran of Vietnam and now have a daughter that is a marine. I was because of people like you and the ones in DC that we lost that war like we will lose the one in the middle east with the leadership we have now with your new president and vp

[Stephen D Vasey CWO3 USA Ret.]

Serving in the military comes with an unspoken agreement and that is that you agree to go anywhere in the world at a moments notice and die at the orders of the president of the United States. Upon returning from Viet Nam in 1968 I was stationed at Fort Devens Ma and for 11 months performed burial details for the Nam vets who did not make it back alive. A service member has no greater honor than to assist in the burial of one of their fallen comrades. Unfortunately there will always be those who try to strip us of the dignity of serving so that others do not have to.

[Scott Patrick Thornberry]

"Americans, taking one with the another, constitute the most timorous, sniveling, poltroonish, ignominious mob
of serfs and goosesteppers
ever gathered under one flag
in Christendom."
H.L. Mencken, "On Being An
American"

[Scott Patrick Thornberry]

I realize that thinking isn't
something a lot of people
like to do, but may be it's time to start, huh? Hell,
Thinking "Is" Patriotic, when
you really stop to think about
it, maybe even more patriotic
than killing people you don't
know for corporations who
gleefully kill, cripple and poison you to make a buck.

[DONALD MCCAIN]

I TO LIKE MOST OF YOU SERVED IN THE CORPS. I GAVE 25 YEARS OF MY LIFE IN DEFENSE OF OUR GREAT NATION AND THE CONSTANT BATTLE OF KEEPING THE PEACE AND TRYING TO ESTABLISH SOME KIND OF SANE WAY OF LIFE FOR THOSE UNABLE TO DEFEND FOR THEMSELF. I TO LIKE THOSE OF YOU WHO WERE HORNERED TO PERFOME THE TASK OF ESCORTING AND LAYING TO REST THOSE WHO MADE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE FOUND THIS TO BE THE HARDEST ASSIGNED DUTY OF MY ENTIRE CARRIER. I WOULDN'T TRADE MY YEARS AS A MARINE FOR ANYTHING. IN FACT I WOULD DO IT ALL OVER AGAIN IF I COULD. I LOVE THE CORPS AND THE WAY OF LIFE IT PROVIDE FOR ME, THE DESCIPLINE IT TAUGHT ME, THE CHARACTER IT GAVE ME, AND THE ABILITY TO GIVE TO THOSE LESS FORTUNITE THAN MYSELF. THE CORPS TOOK ME IN WITH NO QUESTIONS ASK AND ONLY WANTED MY LOYALITY IN RETURN FOR A LIFE I COULDN'T EVEN BEGIN TO IMAGINE THAT LAY AHEAD OF ME. THIS IS WHERE I WAS TAUGHT THE IMPORTANT LESSONS OF LIFE. I COULD NEVER REPAY ALL I RECEIVED FROM THE CORPS OR MY FELLOW MARINES. BUT I AM SO GREATFUL FOR BEING GIVE THE CHANCE TO BE PART OF IT. SO TO SAY THAT THIS IS JUST A MEER MOVIE THAT HAS A GREAT ACTOR IN IT IS NOT THE JUSTICE IT DESERVES. IT'S A STORY OF A SNAP SHOT IN THE LIFE OF A FELOW MARINE AND HIS BROTHERS IN ARMS DURING THIS TIME AND WHAT HE HAD TO DO TO HONOR ONE OF THEM JUST AS ANYONE OF US WOULD HAVE DONE ALL OVER AGAIN. SEMPER FI MARINES ! MGYSGT MCCAIN RETIRED.

[Gary Adsitt]

mr thornberry and mr delgado and I use mr loosely you are both off base, your pathetic comments show an undeserved lack of respect for people who have given so much for you, be it the ultimate they can give or all who give and live.
I am a Vietnam veteran who is dying slowly and painfully from the effects of agent orange. I volunteered then and if I had it to do over I would volunteer again.

[Lisa Rabiger]

Former President Bush would not allow the press access to returning flights that were carrying caskets of fallen soldiers,sailors,and airmen.
I'm a retired Navy Photographer and believe the people of our country deserve to have access to this. It is a story that needs to be told.
President Obama was asked about this issue during his first official press conference. I am hoping he will allow access to the press. Everyone should know the sacrifices.

[chris hofmann]

look up the 1st major assault at us forces bien hoa ab 10/31/04. Perfectly VC planned, a payday, a saturday party night, fog AND RAIN, NO perimeter defense, loaded bombs on aircraft facing each other rather than staggerd, rescue choppers on front of the tower. First attack 12:01 am unprepared hell took the stage.

[Katherine Likely]

Thank you for serving our country.
I am very proud of you.
It takes guts, gumption, courage and brains to do what you are doing.
FREEDOM is never free.
Unless it is guaranteed by our fighting forces.
Peace is never given freely, it is earned.
Thank YOU!

[Matt Derrin]

Well, if having worn a uniform is the apparent key to voicing an opinion without being told to shut my "pie-hole", let me say as someone who served, Mr. Delgado is right; we were served a bill of goods in Iraq by our former POTUS and his cadre.
Afganistan was a righteous cause and, had we stayed there and completed the mission we were tasked with, OBL would be dead or standing trial for War Crimes...as it was, though, Bush diverted us to a BS WMD hunt that was bogus from the get go. THAT's the part that still pisses me off, wasting troops in a cause that wasn't ours to fight. Saddam was a monster?? F-ing right he was; He was in 2003, he was in 1991, the first time we went after him and he's been since he took over. So has Mugabe, Taylor and scores of other monsters we never went after.

I support the troops, obviously, and while I respect and recognize the authority of the CiC, I still think and will think that the guy who previously held the rank wasn't qualified to organize a 2 car funeral procession, let alone lead a country.

SSgt Matthew Darrin.

[George Hammermeister]

To all of you brave men and woman whom have served and lost you loved ones to protect me and my family.To my father who at seventeen left his family and served in the South Pacific in WWII. To those yet to come and serve( my own son shortly) Thank you

[Bill Stacy RN]

As a Vietnam vet and Life Member of the VFW, I have served on Honor Guard duties for several Veterans funerals and Memorial Day details. Too many people forget to honor those who gave it all.

[joe wehnker]

Mr Wangler, Very well said! Thank you and others for your service to our country.
It is this very service of sacrifice that has ensured us the freedoms that we enjoy in this great country. It gives us the ability to express our opinions no matter what our opinion may be.
Mr. Snott Thornberry for example, is entitled to his opinion no matter how ignorant we may find it. We need to give him a break. After all, what fun is it to be ignorant if you can't show off your talents once in a while. Joe Wehnker

[Jim Isom, Colonel, USAF Ret.]

Mr. Thornberry sees the efforts of brave young men and women, fighting for something higher, something more noble than themselves. He knows he has neither the honor nor the courage to walk in their shoes, so he must denigrate them and their efforts in order to reinforce his own pathetic existence. He is the person John Stuart Mills was talking about when he said such men could only be kept free "...by the efforts of better men than he". These young warriors Mr. Thornberry belittles *are* the better men than he.

[J.T. McIntyre]

The way the military were treated after Vietnam was a national disgrace. Those who perform military service do so in order that the rest of America can sleep safely in their beds, and these servicemen & women deserve our respect & our thanks.

Perhaps, however, what Mr. Delgado was trying to say is that the people who protest against the war in Iraq (NOT Afghanistan) are not against the men and women who serve, unlike the Vietnam protesters. Rather, they are angry at politicians who send our loved ones into harm's way for unclear and possibly less than honest reasons. I may disagree with the protesters, but I am so proud to live in a country where people have a right to express their opinions in a respectful way. That respect, unfortunately, is what was lacking back in the '60's and after Vietnam. What happened to our military when they got back was terrible, truly a dark part of our history. But thankfully I see no evidence of that now -- in fact, I have been on two flights recently where young service members were applauded by the other passengers and the crew.

In any case, to serve escort duty must be one of the hardest assignments of all. Those of you who have performed such a duty are to be commended. You are a credit to the military and to our great country. Bless you all.

[sadman01]

Nathan Hale said it best when he said, “My only regret is that I have but one life to give for my country” and not some BS about how it wasn’t fair.
There is a very fine line between disagreement and disrespect.
I can disagree that we need to lose the lives of American servicemen in the Middle East over our concern for oil and stability in the region.
I will not disrespect them by pretending that their sacrifice has not gained us all a reason to be proud of our morals, freedom and ability to interfere where tyranny and oppression rule. Standing back and judging the decisions made is easy, moving forward firm in your beliefs is not.
American servicemen know that when you serve your country, you must serve it proudly and with everything you have to give. All of those who serve do so willingly and of their own accord, with the full knowledge that one day they may be forced to make the ultimate sacrifice in the name of duty.
Let’s just hope that the decisions our leaders make the most of that sacrifice and make the best decisions they can. There is very rarely a “right” answer to most of our world’s problems.
I thank all of our servicemen who have fought, bled and died in service to our nation.
SSgt Greening, ARNG Sheet Metal Pig
P.S.- If most of the Middle East’s wealth is derived from oil and they are using that wealth to fund terrorists such as Bin Laden, then why wouldn’t we choose to chop their legs out from under them and put some serious efforts into alternative fuels? Progress has been slow thus far, but if we can wean ourselves off of our oil addiction, then that will have a much greater impact on our enemies than the physical destruction of their homes, lands and families.

[jack wilson ret army]

I returned from Viet Nam in 1966,was stationed at Ft. Lenardwood.
Was assigned to escort duty 1967. I escorted a lot of soldiers home during that time. Very hard assignnmet.

[jack wilson ret army]

I returned from Viet Nam in 1966, was assigned to Ft Leonard Wood. Was put on escort duty, I escorteed several men home. Not plesent duty for sure

[Steve Jonas]

I agree with Mr. Wangler's comments. I was a Sgt. in the Air Force Communications Service during the Vietnam War. I was stationed at Wright-Patterson AFB in Ohio when the "new" Air Force Museum was dedicated by Pres. Nixon, and I was one of those tasked to help guard the base during his visit.

College students from Antioch College in Yellow Springs, OH, came to the base to protest the war... they threw clods of dung at us. This was after the unfortunate incident at Kent State University, so thsy were certain that we wouldn't shoot them.

[MSG(Ret)Murphy]

I saw the previews to this movie awhile ago and put the date on my calandar, but now I don't know if I can watch it. I was just diagnosed with PTSD due to performing over 2,000 Military Funeral Honors, 36 Casualty Notifications and 26 Casualty Assistance cases over the last 9 years. I guess I didn't let it get to me until I retired this last December. I put up a good front. Too many Soldiers in my unit's had so many excuses as to why they couldn't do these honors or funerals when their names came up on the DA FM 6... now the nightmares are really bad and I can't sleep but the VA is taking very good care of me and I met some wonderful WWII vets that I will never forget and learned so many things. I am sure Kevin Bacon did a good job...and I just want to let any Soldier reading this that if your turn comes up on the duty roster...officer or enlisted...don't make excuses.

[William Smith]

I am neither a current soldier or a veteran only because I am 16 years old. For quite some time now I have been interested in the service, and seeing this movie helped me realize further reason for joining. The honor of serving and fighting for the country that has given you everything you have today, even if it is only the freedom to say some of the things that have been said in the more opinionated comments, would be the greatest honor imaginable. I would gladly sacrifice everything so that 1000 people may still enjoy the freedoms this great nation provides.
William Smith (Future USMC)

[Nohelani]

Mr. Thornberry,

You are such an ignorant self-centered person. Be thankful you are alive and enjoying your freedom. If you have nothing good to say about the military and for those who served, died and made ultimate sacrificed then, you need to shut your mouth, and BE QUIET.

NO ONE CARES ABOUT YOUR OPINION..

A PROUD US MARINE CORPS MOM AND AUNT.

[Kirk S. Morris]

Thornberry and Delgado.. you and the likes of you have poor misguided souls. My son Marine PFC Geoffrey Morris was killed just a few days before young Chance on 04Apr04 in Anbar Province, That day and the days that have followed have been the most horrific experience my family has ever been asked to endure... and we have lost a mother, and a son in childbirth...
When a young man or women volunteers for service to this Country, they do so knowing they will at some time face an enemy of this Country and all the BEST this Country stands for. They don't know where they will serve or what that service will entail.. but they offer to do something you can’t comprehend or appreciate.. they put action to their words that they love this Country and all the advantages and opportunities the Freedom we live under provides. Until you are willing to put your life on the line for what you believe I strongly suggest you keep your mouth shut, because the garbage that flows from it does this Country disservice and yourself no honor.
This Nation seems to now embrace the reward of failure and penalization of those that sacrifice and achieve, and that deeply saddens me. You Mr Delgado and Thornberry seem to embrace this misguided change in ethos...
I salute and thank the Few and the Proud that volunteer to stand up for what is right and just. Let every nation know... that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, in order to assure the survival and the success of liberty." Thank You JFK, and all those that have honorably served in our Armed Forces..
Semper Fidelis

[Kirk S. Morris]

Thornberry and Delgado.. you and the likes of you have poor misguided souls. My son Marine PFC Geoffrey Morris was killed just a few days before young Chance on 04Apr04 in Anbar Province, That day and the days that have followed have been the most horrific experience my family has ever been asked to endure... and we have lost a mother, and a son in childbirth...
When a young man or women volunteers for service to this Country, they do so knowing they will at some time face an enemy of this Country and all the BEST this Country stands for. They don't know where they will serve or what that service will entail.. but they offer to do something you can’t comprehend or appreciate.. they put action to their words that they love this Country and all the advantages and opportunities the Freedom we live under provides. Until you are willing to put your life on the line for what you believe I strongly suggest you keep your mouth shut, because the garbage that flows from it does this Country disservice and yourself no honor.
This Nation seems to now embrace the reward of failure and penalization of those that sacrifice and achieve, and that deeply saddens me. You Mr Delgado and Thornberry seem to embrace this misguided change in ethos...
I salute and thank the Few and the Proud that volunteer to stand up for what is right and just. Let every nation know... that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, in order to assure the survival and the success of liberty." Thank You JFK, and all those that have honorably served in our Armed Forces..
Semper Fidelis

[Kirk S. Morris]

Thornberry and Delgado.. you and the likes of you have poor misguided souls. My son Marine PFC Geoffrey Morris was killed just a few days before young Chance on 04Apr04 in Anbar Province, That day and the days that have followed have been the most horrific experience my family has ever been asked to endure... and we have lost a mother, and a son in childbirth...
When a young man or women volunteers for service to this Country, they do so knowing they will at some time face an enemy of this Country and all the BEST this Country stands for. They don't know where they will serve or what that service will entail.. but they offer to do something you can’t comprehend or appreciate.. they put action to their words that they love this Country and all the advantages and opportunities the Freedom we live under provides. Until you are willing to put your life on the line for what you believe I strongly suggest you keep your mouth shut, because the garbage that flows from it does this Country disservice and yourself no honor.
This Nation seems to now embrace the reward of failure and penalization of those that sacrifice and achieve, and that deeply saddens me. You Mr Delgado and Thornberry seem to embrace this misguided change in ethos...
I salute and thank the Few and the Proud that volunteer to stand up for what is right and just. Let every nation know... that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, in order to assure the survival and the success of liberty." Thank You JFK, and all those that have honorably served in our Armed Forces..
Semper Fidelis