I had to change my avatar. In dedication for the 21 Marines

[johnnie]

I had Alfred E. Neuman for quite a while, but I just don't feel right looking at my posts with that avatar any longer.
21 Marines have lost their lives in two days and the number of casualties continue to rise.
My heart goes out to all the families and friends who continue to lose their loved ones that are serving in all branches of the military and it would go out to the administration's loved ones if they gave their lives like the underprivileged have. Of course I don't have to worry about that ever happening.
The Marine Corps has been part of my life since birth due to my father serving in it for 25 years and officially retiring after 40 something years. Although I respect all branches of the service and the men and women who have served respectfully, I will always be a bit biased to the Marines. They have lost so many lives and 21 more have been added to that list in a few short hours.
I hope I do not disrespect anyone by changing my avatar to the Marine Corps insignia in tribute to the fallen and Marine Corps vets. To those that have served, those that have lost their lives and my father, I would like to say "Semper Fidelis" to you all. Thank you for your service.

[Richardo]

1. Semper Fi to all Marines and their families.

:patriot:

[Tesla]

2. Semper Fi

My heart is with you and your families.

[ewagner]

3. Semper Fi

I'm tearing up....

I got up and turned on CNN and thought there had to be some mistake because they were showing the casualty count at 1820. There had to be some mistake.

Then I heard about the Marines.

God, I hate war.

[johnnie]

4. 6 of them from yesterday were deployed from my hometown

Yesterday I mentioned that they were from the unit that I went to see off when they went to Desert Storm. That was not an easy thing to watch. I know that none of the men from yesterday were from the ones I went to see back then, but it brought all this a little closer to home.
I am having a hard time turning on the news these days to see how many more lives have been lost day by day. There is a son of a very close friend that is being deployed to Iraq in a few months and it is hard to talk to her about any of it. I can only hope he comes back safe, but it is heart-wrenching hearing her speak of it.

[Dogmudgeon]

5. Uncle Sam's Misgodded Children

God save 'em all. They have a mighty tall pair of boots to fill, and I've never met one who didn't meet the challenge.

Y'know, Smedley Butler, the man who wrote "War Is A Racket", was the Major-General of the USMC. The man was one of the war heroes of his time. The rank of Major-General was retired when "Old Gimlet Eye" passed on.

A close friend of mine from grade school was a Marine -- and a wacky artist/punk rocker/genius/mystic/radical progressive. He loved it, every minute of it, even getting his ass chewed on (which wasn't often).

A few years later, I went with a girl (actually, we were both about 30, so I guess that qualifies her to be called a 'woman') who was a Marine. Same deal.

To hear that whole groups of them -- this time, almost two dozen -- are being marched into a meat grinder for the pleasure of that loathesome coward pushes my limits of anger. But after five years of character rot in Washington, I just don't have that much more piss and vinegar left.

But if I find I have any prayers left tonight, I'll say one for the U.S. Marine Corps.

My thanks to your Dad, and to all who serve, in any branch of the military.

--p!

[rocktivity]

6. I was hoping the stories were duplicates or updated death tolls

And I've just read that somone was taken prisoner. Hopefully they will merely abuse and not tourture him...

:scared:
rocknation

[Cobalt Violet]

7. Semper Fidelis.

[wicket]

8. Bless them all

:cry:

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

9. Nameless cannon fodder for the politicians.

The politicians will weep crocodile tears over their bodies and make speeches about their "noble sacrifice", but the bastards will continue to support and fund the occupation.

[tuckessee]

10. Too bad there's no logo

to represent the untold tens of thousands of innocent civilians killed in Indochina, Central America and the Middle East by your heroes while they prosecute their illegal and misguided wars against poor folks who have never attacked the US.

[DS1]

11. I made the avatar for DU

I think I'll switch to it, today isn't a day for the happy dance

[johnnie]

12. Thanks DS1

I knew I have seen it around here. I just don't want to disrespect any Marines here at DU by putting it as my avatar.

[DS1]

13. You might catch some shit for supporting bloodthirsty warmongers

and things of that nature, but as I'm sure you've figured out, there's plenty of people talking out of their ass.

:hi:

[johnnie]

14. Yeah, I've seen 'em

Funny thing is, my father is one of the most "patriotic" people I know, and he thinks georgie is a complete idiot and he really fucked up with this "war". I also know some other people who serve, and they feel the same way.
I don't care if people want to whine about my support, they have that right and I don't have to see their posts if I don't feel like it.