This film by Ford will touch you.

[Birdgun Quail]

http://g.msn.com/0VD0/03/26?m=ad_ford2_111804.wmv&csid=3&sd=MBR

This is a good little bit of filming by Ford. This is not humor, but a serious piece that'll touch you. It's a little long but worth it.

[LazyK Pejay]

Thank you very much for that. I remember coming home...

LazyK Pejay

Former Capt. Pejay King USMC
Vietnam 70-71/72-73

[Big John Denny]

A really good piece there Birdgun. I came home eleven times myself over my career in the Army, but I always had to buy my own.

[Four-Eyed Buck]

BGQ, That one played on out local channel here back at the first of the year, a LOT. Every time I see I get real foggy......Snif......

[The Arapaho Kid]

At least he came home to a civll crowd.  When I came home from Vietnam...I was spit on, called a baby raper/killer, rotton fruit and eggs were tossed at me, people got in my face and called me a (the "F-ing" word) war monger...some of my group were hit with spray paint.  Oh!  It was a great returning and we couldn't do a damned thing for defense!  We had to walk through the airport and take it!

I think if they had let us take care of that problem...there would have been a lot of Hippies on the floor and in severe pain.  They would have learned that you just don't mess with combat veterans!  They told us "Pay no  attention to them!"  Oh sure!  Someone gets in your face and call you a "f-ing" baby killer...you just ignore that?
Someone walks up and spits on you....you just ignore that?  Yeah!  Right!

[Four-Eyed Buck]

i'm sorry, Rap, that you had to go through that.........Buck

[The Arapaho Kid]

Aftet I came back from Vietnam...I kept a low profile for a long time.  No one knew I had been there. One time later I was at a party and I overheard two guys talking about dodging the draft and going to Canada.  That irritated the hell out of me!  I walked over and told those jerks that I left a lot of friends in Nam and I'd never see them again.  I also told them if I heard one more word about fleeing to Canada....they were going to step outside with me and I would give them a few lessons in respect.  I would have loved to beat the snot outa both of them!

[Birdgun Quail]

I'm not generally quick with a come-back, but every now and then...

In 1973, I was stationed at a Nike Hercules missile battery (Ft. Tilton) in New York City.   We were often yelled at and spit at, but nothing within close personal contact.  One day at noon, I was walking through a mall in my fatigue uniform to do some banking.  As I passed a group hippies, a female flower child stepped in front of me.  I went to step around her and she stepped in front of me again.  I asked her, "May I help you?"  She said, "How many women and children have you killed today?"  I was having a good day.  I replied, "Well none.  Would you like to be the first!"   I stepped around her an went on my way.   I don't think they said anything more to me.

[Four-Eyed Buck]

Atta boy, BGQ........Buck

[Big John Denny]

That was a good come back Birdgun. I had the pleasure of being one of the bruitish soldiers to arrest Hanoi Jane during a demonstration at Ft Bragg, NC. I suggested we take her up in a chopper and let her walk back to her group from there, but my suggestion was ignored. Too bad, huh.

[The Arapaho Kid]

Ah yes!  Hanoi Jane!  A fine fettle of a woman!  Guaranteed winner at a dog fight!  If I ever get her in my sights.....she's a goner!  I will, however, be fair.  I'll give her a 15 second running head start.....on a football field before I let my old Winchester bark.

[LazyK Pejay]

As the years have passed I find I remember my friends those living and those gone. My squadron mates and I did our best and that is the memory. I think on them and the good times we had. I said goodbye to them at the Wall in Washington, D.C. I too had some experiences when coming home that were difficult, but that was then and this is now.I don't have any anger at Jane or others as they are not worth the effort to get angry over. If they still get me angry then they still control me, but they don't. The protesting lady in Texas lost her son and is now divorced, and this is all she has. If she stays there in some way her Marine son is alive, and she does not accept his loss yet. Her liberal retoric is grating, but is just another voice in the wind. As a former Marine, Semper Fi means as much now as then, but I have moved on

LazyK Pejay

[Badlands Walker]

  Thanks for sharin' that BQ!

[Marshal'ette Halloway]

For all that has served our country and helped make America what it is today

By the way, (remembering what Arapaho said about, "There is no dumb questions"..)
I think I want to ask one.

What exactly is, Semper Fi?
I have seen it time and time again, and I really don't know what it means or the history behind it.

[LazyK Pejay]

Marshal'ette,

Here is the term:

"Semper Fidelis". The Motto of the United States Marine Corps. Latin for always faithful. Faithful to God, Country, Family and the Corps.

Here are two examples of how significant this is. Example #1:

The two tightest of military units are not in the same nation. One is the United States Marine Corps and the other is the British Royal Marines. Each year these two elite service branches celebrate their birthdays. When this happens for the Marine Corps a British Royal Marine officer leaves London in his dress uniform. He wears white gloves and carries on a silver salver a sealed card. When he lands in Washington D.C. he requires no visa or passport. He is driven to the Commandant of the Marine Corps Office at the 8th & I Barracks. He is escorted into the Commandant's office and presents the card. On it is written "Semper Fidelis." He salutes the Commandant turns and leaves and returns to Great Britian. When the British Royal Marines have their birthday a United States Marine Corps officer in dress blues leaves Washington and flys to London. Upon arrival he is escorted to the Commandant of the British Royal Marines with his card on a silver salver. The card is given to the Commandant. On it is written "And Saint James." This is the motto of the Royal Marines. He salutes and leaves to fly back to Washington. No other nations allow such a thing. This is unique.

Example #2:

When in Gander Mt the other day picking up my Cattleman. I saw a U.S. Marine Sgt in uniform. When we passed I said "Semper Fi." He turned looked and said Ooahh! We moved on as nothing more needed to be said. Once a Marine always a Marine...

Thx for your support.

LazyK Pejay

[Marshal'ette Halloway]

Thanks for the information.
I feel honored to know the extra details.

[Four-Eyed Buck]

The Marines have always been a tight unit, but what they went through in WW II made them what they are today.
they are, in their dress blues, the most recognizable service unit we have. There is no mistaking which service they belong to and are the most recognizable U.S. arm in the world.
Seeing that uniform makes me very proud.........Buck

[The Arapaho Kid]

I spent 24 years in the Army and three of those years I was serving as a Medic with the Special Forces in Vietnam.  I'll tell ya what, folks....I respect the hell out of anyone who goes into and serves in the Marine Corps.  I don't give a damn what anyone says.  The Marines are tough!  You can mess with a Soldier.  You can mess with a Sailor and you can mess with someone in the Air Force, but don't you dare mess with the Marines...lessen you wanta get your butt kicked instantly!

SEMPER FI AND HOOAH TO ALL MARINES!

[Jubel]

The hippys of yesterday are the peasenicks of today! Don't forget pards these are the same people who want us to give up the Second Ammendment! God lovem cause I don't.

[Jubel]

They ain't no such thing as an ex Marine they are one for life.