Something to make you think...

[mnischalke 0]

This came secondhand from another bbs on the net:

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I want to tell you of an experience I had last night flying home from Atlanta.

The pilot came on the intercom and went through the usual announcements telling us that "we're just east of Montgomery cruising at 28,000 feet" and "you've picked a beautiful night for flying, just look at the gorgeous southern sunset out of the right side of the plane". He then, however, said this: "Please bear with me as I deviate from the script, but I want you all to know that simply by coincidence you have been granted both the privilege and honor of escorting the body of Army PFC Howard Johnson, Jr. home tonight. PFC Johnson was killed in Iraq defending the freedoms we all enjoy, and fighting to extend those freedoms to the people of Iraq. We are also accompanied by PFC Johnson's cousin, Marine Major Talley, who has been chosen by the family to escort PFC Johnson home. Semper Fi!"

The plane quickly became very quiet, but soon erupted in thunderous applause that lasted for several minutes. It was quite moving, to say the least. As I sat there thinking about what the pilot had said, and visualizing PFC Johnson's dead body riding below me in the belly of that plane, I noticed a couple of things. Two rows in front of me sat a father holding his daughter, an infant, and they were practicing "ma-ma" and in the row behind me was another young boy, probably 2 or so, learning to count to 10. Now obviously both are too young to realize we're at war, or that one of our dead was with us, but it made me think, and this is the point: These warriors, mostly young, all volunteers, everyday are prepared to give their lives for our future, for a safer, more secure future for people they don't even know, all based on the principle that fighting and dying for this country is worth it. You all know and agree with this, but not everyone does, so I would ask that if you meet anyone that's not "on board" with this philosophy, i.e. the protesters to which Bob refers, that you "correct the situation".

By the way, the flight ended with all of us deplaning only to line the windows of the gate house to watch PFC Johnson's body, draped in the American flag, be rolled out of the plane and into a waiting hearse that was surrounded by his family members.

Please pray that our soldiers' sight is acute, their aim is true, and that as many come home as God can spare.

There is no reference on snopes. Johnson was killed in Iraq and his father is a pastor who had to eulogize his son...news story

mike

Girls only want boyfriends who have great skills--You know, like nunchuk skills, bow-hunting skills, computer-hacking skills.

[Tasadin 0]

OK ive had a few beers and Im a Brit but, that is hte first post since I have been here that has just made me stopand actually read!! Thankyou for sharing, as part of the military in the present climate sometimes it shard to see that the public are supporting you!!!

"If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough."

[jraf 0]

Oh what a pile of Hurraypariotic crap. So he is dead. Risk of the job I suppose.

The text sounds like something taken out of the Pravda in 1953. Geez.

jraf

Me Jungleman! Me have large Babalui.
Muff #3275

[AggieDave 6]

Maybe some of us are patriotic. Maybe some of us care about our country. Maybe some of us actually care and mourn our countries dead.

I'm sorry you have to be so cynical and cold towards something that's relating an experience with one of our dead warriors, I guess some of care and some don't.

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[mnischalke 0]

Excellent comments! I might have to look up his father's email address and send him this link. I am sure he'll pray for your soul or something.

mike

Girls only want boyfriends who have great skills--You know, like nunchuk skills, bow-hunting skills, computer-hacking skills.

[fundgh 0]

Your attitude sucks! This was a nice story followed by a good response, only to be dulled by your mindless, waste of a few lines, crappy, response. Your not funny!

...FUN FOR ALL!

[Tasadin 0]

JRaf quite frankly i dont know you personally, but yours is the kind of attitude that really fucks me off. Whether its wrong or right the military go where they are told and do what we do without question because we joined to do a job and thats what the job entails. We dont always go somewhere for the glory we go because we have been told to and because in some cases people like you Jraf are relying on people like us to get the job done properly. Now skydiving is a close community and we mourn the loss of one of our own deeply. Well fucking wake up call pancho the military is no different. I for one am part of a close knit community of divers and we mourn the loss of one of our own just as deeply as the skydiving community. So get with the fucking program and let people pay there marks of respect in any way they see fit thankyou!!

"If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough."

[jraf 0]

Sorry guys, but you sound like characters from Soviet cold war cartoons.

The kid is dead, the reason why he died is not clear to me. He was not a warrior he was a soldier. He died doing his job - sad fact of life.

Sometimes being patriotic takes long term vision. Sometimes it is more patriotic to think on your own and make your own conclusions. So much for that.

Am I cynical? As hell, and feel good about it. And I don't expect to be mourned after I buy it. Use the usable organs and dump the rest of me into a swamp so the gators can have some lunch.

jraf

Me Jungleman! Me have large Babalui.
Muff #3275

[mnischalke 0]

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Your attitude sucks! This was a nice story followed by a good response, only to be dulled by your mindless, waste of a few lines, crappy, response. Your not funny!

Naaah, don't waste yer breath and precious heartbeats getting upset. I am glad to have worn a uniform and heard bullets flying past my head just so people can voice their opinions. I like to think that somewhere in the intricate paths of life karma evens everything out. Find Zen.

mike

Girls only want boyfriends who have great skills--You know, like nunchuk skills, bow-hunting skills, computer-hacking skills.

[billvon 2,400]

>So get with the fucking program and let people pay there marks
>of respect in any way they see fit thankyou!

Jraf did not prevent anyone from paying their respects however they saw fit; he commented on what he thought of the story. You may disagree with him (I do too) but that doesn't make it OK to attack him for that.

[jumpergirl 0]

Wow... thanks for sharing that.

[fundgh 0]

10-4...Too many liines already wasted!

I wish had been on that plane to witness the emotion!

...FUN FOR ALL!

[AggieDave 6]

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Sometimes being patriotic takes long term vision. Sometimes it is more patriotic to think on your own and make your own conclusions.

So you're now trying to tell me that since I am very patriotic, that I do not have the ability to think for myself? You're basically trying to question my intelligence...that upsets me, and I thought you were beyond trying to just incite personal attacks.

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[peppermint 0]

maybe a life is what you need. do you think we could get on with trying to build a better life than rehashing the war and the dead. talk to me about everyday heroes that spend time with their wives and play with their kids and don't need to wave a gun to feel big. let's find heroes who just show up to be friends everyday and share kindness and build each other up. no more macho bullcrap. let's start shaping up for tomorrow, not rest on stories and glory days of "kill 'em all and let God sort 'em out" shit, ok?

The flowing wave returns not, nor does the passing hour.

[Tasadin 0]

>Oh what a pile of Hurraypariotic crap. So he is dead. Risk of the job I suppose.

The text sounds like something taken out of the Pravda in 1953. Geez. <
jraf
Billvon everyon is entitleed to their opinion but would he have posted the same about a fellow skydiver who had stoofed in and was being carried home on said airliner...... i think not!

It was in some respects an assault from me on Jraf but frankly given the circumstances I feel it was deserved, people are laying down their lives very often without question and very often not even out of their teens and i aint talking brits here im talking about your boys..... they deserve some respect reguardless of how they met their end!!! It isnt macho bulshit on their part they are doing what they are told. I can tell you now Peppermint there isnt a serviceman alive who would rather be with his kids n family than in Iraq doing what he is. When was the last tim eany of you spent 300 days out of the year away from home cos i can tell you there is a UK unit has been in the gulf for that long and of those 260 days were spent at sea. Now me i'd cave in so much respect boys!!

"If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough."

[AggieDave 6]

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let's start shaping up for tomorrow

Go ahead. However, war will always be there.

If you're Christian, you'll know that war will be an intregril part of the world's exsistence until the end.

If you're not Christian, then you'll be mature enough to realize that no matter how great your ideals are, war will continue for quite some time into the world's future history.

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[mnischalke 0]

Sure.

Anyway, what was I saying?...

mike

Girls only want boyfriends who have great skills--You know, like nunchuk skills, bow-hunting skills, computer-hacking skills.

[jraf 0]

A) Simon - let it be publicly known I take no offense. Bill probably chastized you more for the form than for the content. A discussion is a place that allows difference of opinions. You have yours I have mine - it's OK

B) Dave - by no means would I am saying is that perhaps I have a different point of view on the issue and perhaps I see things differently. Perhaps I see some things you don't see, not because you are less intelligent, but because I have information that might not be available to you...as simple as that.

jraf

Me Jungleman! Me have large Babalui.
Muff #3275

[Amazon 7]

Patriotism is a 200+ year work in progress.. that has given you the right to express your opinion. Some people in this country believe in the little intangible things like duty to country... honor..... and serve accordingly.... instead of serving nothing.... but themselves.
I may not agree with everything my government does... but I have traveled extensively enough to know that this is a dangerous world. I would love to be idealistic and to live in peace with all of mankind. The only problem is... way too many people do not share that view. And it is a good thing that SOMEONE is willing to protect your life.... and the rest of ours from those who would do us harm. I for one salute our servicemen and women who are in harms way.

From an old Cold Warrior.

Amazon

[peppermint 0]

Aggie, Christian or not, people need to start placing some thoughts to making change. We all need to look to some other form of making a difference. Didn't Christ himself teach to turn the other cheek? so why can't we look for other means than war to make a change. War, and bad guys will always be around. That is true. does it mean we should continue to pursue it?

The flowing wave returns not, nor does the passing hour.

[AggieDave 6]

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I have information that might not be available to you...as simple as that.

From news agency's. No matter how many different sources you get, they will not be totally correct. People tend to think that the news they agree with is accurate. More often then not, it isn't.

If you have these mythical sources, then share with the group.

Eitherway, your first set of comments still sadden me, since you were very disgraceful to one of our fallen warriors.

Oh, since there was some confusion, I'm posting the definition of Warrior for all of those that are misled:

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war·ri·or ( P ) Pronunciation Key (wôr-r, wr-)
n.
One who is engaged in or experienced in battle.
One who is engaged aggressively or energetically in an activity, cause, or conflict: neighborhood warriors fighting against developers

Thus, he is a fallen warrior. End of story.

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[fundgh 0]

This was a nice story, and now the forum turned to wonderful conversaion about.....? That's cool though, how bout them Kings?!

...FUN FOR ALL!

[AggieDave 6]

I think you'll find it hard to preach Christian theology to me. I can put most ministers to shame on Christian theology. (no, I'm not religious anymore, I don't even go to church, etc, I am a bit of a spiritual person, though).

The reason why I said that in the previous post is to prove a point, that even Christians (the turn the other cheek guys) understand that war will continue until the end of earth. If you didn't know that, then you need to reread some stuff in Matthew and Revalations. The same god that preached turn the other cheek, also had his "children" whipe out entire city states (including livestock, children and women) by using war a few thousand years before that.

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[fundgh 0]

Way to go "Aggro - Dave"!
I like a person who can back up there words and arguments with a solid reference!

...FUN FOR ALL!

[peppermint 0]

Aggie, your theology is rather weak and I am sure that you can't go very far with preachers, giving them a run for their money, unless perhaps it is a first year seminary student.

Perhaps you should look in books other than Matthew and Revelation to find the stories concerning His people going to war and find out what he was really trying to tell his people in Matthew when he told them that this was the perferred way to live, not war.

The flowing wave returns not, nor does the passing hour.