Semper Fidelis

[poeticDaVinci]

A week ago today, my friend Seth's older brother, Josh, was killed by an IED(improvised explosive device)while on duty in Iraq. Seth has been a very close friend of mine since elementary school, but I only knew Josh in passing. Mostly, I knew him from my local Marine recruit station. I'm also going to be a Marine(not enlisted, an officer.)While his death has weighed heavily on my mind, my feelings about becoming a Marine are as steadfast as ever. It's the same with all the other recruits from my station. We lost a brother in arms, and he will always live on in our hearts. His legacy will be carried on by every man and woman that earns the title "Marine." I'm not saddened by his death. I know that sounds awful and it's very difficult to explain. Josh, who was 21, both lived and died with a sense of honor and duty that most people will never reach. Many people tend to forget that "Semper Fidelis" isn't just a saying, it's a way of life. When he enlisted in the Marines, Josh pledged to defend the United States Constitution. He gave his life in the name of liberty. Only those that truly bleed red, white, and blue have the courage to give the ultimate sacrife. "Some gave all, all gave some," is a quote from the Vietnam era. Josh gave everything for what he believed. His name defines a true American hero.

Rest in Peace
Pfc. Joshua Klinger
1983-2005
Semper Fidelis

 

[CalcuoCuchicheo]

Not to be distasteful, but is there any reason why truly bleeding red, white, black & green should mean anything less?

I won't rip into what you say out of humanity, more than anything else.

 

[Silleone]

R.i.p

 

[AmerikazMost]

R.I.P. Josh

 

[Duke]

Not to discredit the man's memory, but i do sincerely wonder if you'd ask him now if he was indeed willing to give his life for his country like that. Of course you can't, the man's dead.

But if you could ask, i wonder how he'd respond. Same goes for every soldier killed in Iraq. Was it worth it?

Regardless, may he rest in peace.

 

[poeticDaVinci]

Not to be distasteful, but is there any reason why truly bleeding red, white, black & green should mean anything less?

I won't rip into what you say out of humanity, more than anything else.

It's an expression used to represent one's patriotism. Red, white, and blue are the colors of the American flag(obviously), not red, white, black, and green.

 

[poeticDaVinci]

Not to discredit the man's memory, but i do sincerely wonder if you'd ask him now if he was indeed willing to give his life for his country like that. Of course you can't, the man's dead.

But if you could ask, i wonder how he'd respond. Same goes for every soldier killed in Iraq. Was it worth it?

Regardless, may he rest in peace.

Knowing the mindset of a Marine, I can honestly say that he would respond by saying he was sorry he had only one life to give in the name of freedom. "For those who fight for it, freedom has a distinct flavor the protected shall never know." That's a quote I love. You can't understand the mindset of a Marine and his/her dedication and espit de corps without being one.

 

[devils_advok8]

I don't understand?From all the Iraqis you guys have killed, including women and children, one marine dies while "on duty" and you people bitch about it.Either way he's a hero to you.He'd come back home and all the neighbourhood is greeting him and shit, and if he got killed then he's a true American hero.It's time you people tasted a bit of what those Iraqis have gone through for years, and in my case, almost 6 centuries.I don't wish anyone's death, but people like you piss me off.
Before starting this thread, havent you spared yourself a moment and got to think why the militants who set up the IED did that?They're fighting for a cause.I wont even bother and rant about what you're government's doing there, but the way I see it, you're friend's brother was part of this.You're brainwashed and got no clue what freedom means.

 

[Valeoz]

A person who died at 21 in the military, gives you more enthusiasm to join the military? There is nothing enthusiastic about that, if I do say so myself.

 

[poeticDaVinci]

I don't understand?From all the Iraqis you guys have killed, including women and children, one marine dies while "on duty" and you people bitch about it.Either way he's a hero to you.He'd come back home and all the neighbourhood is greeting him and shit, and if he got killed then he's a true American hero.It's time you people tasted a bit of what those Iraqis have gone through for years, and in my case, almost 6 centuries.I don't wish anyone's death, but people like you piss me off.
Before starting this thread, havent you spared yourself a moment and got to think why the militants who set up the IED did that?They're fighting for a cause.I wont even bother and rant about what you're government's doing there, but the way I see it, you're friend's brother was part of this.You're brainwashed and got no clue what freedom means.

People who say things to degrade our nations armed forces have no idea what they are really saying when they open their mouths and verbally bash our nations forces. The way I look at it, is they are spitting on those of us that have the courage to put our lives on the line to ensure that the freedoms we so enjoy are not taken from us, EVER. We do not live in fear of being attacked again in our home land by religious fanatics that have twisted their religious belief to their warped interpretation. It sure feels good to be able to have my own opinion and not have the government, or religious leader tell me what my opinion is. I call that, freedom

And thank you, for desecrating the memory of my friend and damn fine Marine.

It's people like you who piss me off.

 

[poeticDaVinci]

A person who died at 21 in the military, gives you more enthusiasm to join the military? There is nothing enthusiastic about that, if I do say so myself.

I'm sorry, I can't seem to find the part of my post where I mention "enthusiasm." Strange. It's something that's very difficult to explain to someone who is/does not want to be in the military. Josh died for some thing that he and I both wholeheartedly believe in. To die for something like that, is in my eyes and the eyes of the Corps, and honor. Don't bother trying to understand, it would be futile. I love the USMC and I love America. That's all there is to know.

 

[Valeoz]

I'm sorry, I can't seem to find the part of my post where I mention "enthusiasm." Strange. It's something that's very difficult to explain to someone who is/does not want to be in the military. Josh died for some thing that he and I both wholeheartedly believe in. To die for something like that, is in my eyes and the eyes of the Corps, and honor. Don't bother trying to understand, it would be futile. I love the USMC and I love America. That's all there is to know.

I chose the word enthusiasm from this line:

While his death has weighed heavily on my mind, my feelings about becoming a Marine are as steadfast as ever.

I sense enthusiasm in there somewhere.

Anyways, don't tell me about you can't explain to me or tell me it's futile. To tell you the truth, I was eligible to go to West Point. I had the grades, the community service, even some JROTC, all I had to do was write a letter to my congress member, people said I was assured to get in, but I said no. People always ask me why didn't I take that path, I told them because I simply didn't believe in it. I don't believe in war nor individuals killing other individuals. I get good grades, take special classes, devote my time to community service just so I could someday kill another human being, there is no honor in that. The real honor is continuing where I left off, right here in my community.

There is nothing wrong with dying for what you believe in, but is what you believe in worth dying for? Is it worth dying at 21? Is it worth dying to see your mother cry? Is it worth dying to destroy other families in already under-developed countries? All because you want your sense of honor and duty? You can see this selfishly. Anyways, I have my sense of honor and duty, by saving lives and elevating them, and I don't have to hurt others and myself to gain it.

You are ofcourse entitled to your own opinion. But just know there are greater senses of honor and duty than the USMC.

Another question in general, why do people who say they love America so ready to join the military. Shouldn't they be here in America, helping America, and other Americans? How is this so called Iraqi freedom helping American freedom? Seems to me we are currently loving Iraq.

One more thing:

It sure feels good to be able to have my own opinion and not have the government, or religious leader tell me what my opinion is.

The government more than likely played more than 50% in your opinion. Learn what the media is and how the government utilizes it.

 

[Duke]

^^ repped!

People who say things to degrade our nations armed forces have no idea what they are really saying when they open their mouths and verbally bash our nations forces. The way I look at it, is they are spitting on those of us that have the courage to put our lives on the line to ensure that the freedoms we so enjoy are not taken from us, EVER. We do not live in fear of being attacked again in our home land by religious fanatics that have twisted their religious belief to their warped interpretation. It sure feels good to be able to have my own opinion and not have the government, or religious leader tell me what my opinion is. I call that, freedom

And thank you, for desecrating the memory of my friend and damn fine Marine.

It's people like you who piss me off.

Hahahahaha. You are funny. I tend to stay way from the term brainwashed, but it applies for you. You honestly believe that the US forces are fighting and dying in Iraq for YOUR freedom?

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!


I don't want to be rude, really, i don't, but open your fucking eyes. Get an atlas, look up Iraq, then calculate how many miles that country is away from your home. How can those boys and girl of the Marines be fighting directly for YOUR freedom so far away? If Iraq hadn't been invaded, you would've instantly lost your freedom? Haha. Please. Iraq was in no way a threat to your freedom. If you believe that you're a stupid cow.

And religious fanatics? Oh, you must be referring to 9/11. Yes, well, this may come as a shock to you, but the group of men that carried out those actions were off different nationalities, funded privately. They had nothing at all to do with the government of that country where the Marines are fighting for your freedom.

It sure feels good to be able to have my own opinion and not have the government, or religious leader tell me what my opinion is.

Oh yes, your comments so illustrated that you have formed your own opinion, and have not fallen for the panic and fear hype your government created.

Keep up the good work.

 

[TecK NeeX]

If Iraq hadn't been invaded, you would've instantly lost your freedom? Haha. Please. Iraq was in no way a threat to your freedom. If you believe that you're a stupid cow.

Of course Iraq could have easily disrupted her precious freedom, Saddam had his most lethal and destructive Al-Samoud 2 missiles pointed directly at the U.S, and with a range of 90 km! those missiles could hit any U.S city within minutes!!. Not to mention the C.I.A's hard work in connecting 9/11 with Iraq, Irrefutable Evidence that Iraq had WMD and Saddams ties with Osama, how could the freedom loving nation like the u.s allow a regime like saddam's continue to exist? just ask yourself that question damnit!!

 

[Jokerman]

just so I could someday kill another human being...

Is it worth dying at 21? Is it worth dying to see your mother cry? Is it worth dying to destroy other families in already under-developed countries?

They are fighting for our freedom to kill as many other human beings as we can. For that is the purpose that the American soldier trains so hard for, and we can't honor them enough. An added honor, that every soldier strives for, is to die at 21 and make their mothers cry.


(Duke, you're a skinny bull.)

 

[CalcuoCuchicheo]

It's an expression used to represent one's patriotism. Red, white, and blue are the colors of the American flag(obviously), not red, white, black, and green.

I knew this.

Tell me, did you know that red, white, black & green were the colours of the Iraqi flag?

Iraqis can be "patriots" too you know.

 

[poeticDaVinci]

I knew this.

Tell me, did you know that red, white, black & green were the colours of the Iraqi flag?

Iraqis can be "patriots" too you know.

I never said Iraqis couldn't be patriots. They are patriots now. They are taking a stand to gain the freedom that they deserve. I was making a reference to Sadam's insurgents, which are terrorists, not patriots.

 

[poeticDaVinci]

I knew this.

Tell me, did you know that red, white, black & green were the colours of the Iraqi flag?

Iraqis can be "patriots" too you know.

I never said Iraqis couldn't be patriots. They are patriots now. They are taking a stand to gain the freedom that they deserve. I was making a reference to Sadam's insurgents, which are terrorists, not patriots.

 

[CalcuoCuchicheo]

I never said Iraqis couldn't be patriots. They are patriots now. They are taking a stand to gain the freedom that they deserve. I was making a reference to Sadam's insurgents, which are terrorists, not patriots.

No, what you said was, Only those that truly bleed red, white, and blue have the courage to give the ultimate sacrife.

The Iraqis who fight their occupiers don't bleed red, white & blue, but don't they have the courage to make the ulitmate sacrafice too? And when they do, would they not - by your definition - be bleeding red, white, black & green?

 

[CalcuoCuchicheo]

I never said Iraqis couldn't be patriots. They are patriots now. They are taking a stand to gain the freedom that they deserve. I was making a reference to Sadam's insurgents, which are terrorists, not patriots.

No, what you said was, Only those that truly bleed red, white, and blue have the courage to give the ultimate sacrife.

The Iraqis who fight their occupiers don't bleed red, white & blue, but don't they have the courage to make the ulitmate sacrafice too? And when they do, would they not - by your definition - be bleeding red, white, black & green?