"Please don't mention my son."
Dec 9, 2016 09:25:12 #
slatten49
Loc: Lake Whitney, Texas
On Veterans Day in 2010, inside an unremarkable hotel ballroom in St. Louis, Marine Gen. John F. Kelly, delivered what the Washington Post described as “a passionate and at times angry speech about the military’s sacrifices and its troops’ growing sense of isolation from society.”
That he was able to speak at all was remarkable. Four days earlier, Kelly’s 29-year-old son, Marine 1st Lt. Robert Michael Kelly, stepped on a land mine while leading a patrol in southern Afghanistan. He was k**led instantly.
John Kelly, President-elect Donald Trump’s reported pick for Homeland Security chief, never spoke of his fallen son by name during the speech to the Semper Fi Society that he had committed to give long before his son’s death. According to the Post, the elder Kelly made one request to the officer who introduced him: “Please don’t mention my son.”
“We are in a life-and-death struggle, but not our whole country,” Kelly said in his speech. “One percent of Americans are touched by this war. Then there is a much smaller club of families who have given all.”
Kelly, 66, is the highest-ranking military officer to lose a child in combat in Iraq or Afghanistan — a burden of war that thousands of so-called Gold Star military families like his must bear.
“The chattering class and all those who doubt America’s intentions, and resolve, endeavor to make them and their families out to be victims, but they are wrong,” he continued. “We who have served and are serving refuse their sympathy. Those of us who have lived in the dirt, sweat and struggle of the arena are not victims and will have none of that.”
The four-star general, whose Marine career spanned five decades and included three tours in Iraq, spoke of the growing divide between civilians and the military, and argued that Americans who don’t serve don’t understand the sacrifices of those who do.
“Those with less of a sense of service to the nation never understand it when men and women of character step forward to look danger and adversity straight in the eye, refusing to blink, or give ground, even to their own deaths,” Kelly said. “The protected can’t begin to understand the price paid so they and their families can sleep safe and free at night. No, they are not victims, but are warriors, your warriors, and warriors are never victims, regardless of how and where they fall. Death, or fear of death, has no power over them. Their paths are paved by sacrifice, sacrifices they gladly make — for you.”
“If anyone thinks you can somehow thank them for their service, and not support the cause for which they fight — America’s survival — then they are lying to themselves and rationalizing away something in their lives,” he said. “But, more importantly, they are slighting our warriors and mocking their commitment to the nation.”
Kelly, like his would-be future boss, took aim at the media for what he called negative coverage of U.S. military actions.
“Yes, we are at war, and are winning, but you wouldn’t know it because successes go unreported,” he said. “And only when something does go sufficiently or is sufficiently controversial, it is highlighted by the media elite that then sets up the ‘know it all’ chattering class to offer their endless criticism. These self-proclaimed experts always seem to know better, but have never themselves been in the arena. We are at war and like it or not, that is a fact. It is not Bush’s war, and it is not Obama’s war, it is our war and we can’t run away from it.”
Today’s troops, Kelly said, “are not born k**lers, but are good and decent young men and women who for going on 10 years have performed remarkable acts of bravery and selflessness to a cause they have decided is bigger and more important than themselves.”
“Like my own two sons who are Marines and have fought in Iraq, and until this week, Afghanistan, they are also the same kids that drove their cars too fast for your liking,” Kelly said, holding back his tears, “and played the god-awful music of their generation too loud. But have no doubt they are the finest of their generation.”
Kelly, who retired as the head of the U.S. Southern Command earlier this year, spoke openly about his son’s death at his final Pentagon news conference.
“To lose a child is — I can’t imagine anything worse than that. I used to think, when I’d go to all of my trips up to Bethesda, Walter Reed, I’ll go to the funerals with the secretaries of defense, that I could somehow imagine what it would be like,” Kelly said, according to the Associated Press. But, he added, “when you lose one in combat, there’s a — in my opinion — there’s a p***e that goes with it, that he didn’t have to be there doing what he was doing. He wanted to be there. He volunteered.”
SEMPER FI, General Kelly
That he was able to speak at all was remarkable. Four days earlier, Kelly’s 29-year-old son, Marine 1st Lt. Robert Michael Kelly, stepped on a land mine while leading a patrol in southern Afghanistan. He was k**led instantly.
John Kelly, President-elect Donald Trump’s reported pick for Homeland Security chief, never spoke of his fallen son by name during the speech to the Semper Fi Society that he had committed to give long before his son’s death. According to the Post, the elder Kelly made one request to the officer who introduced him: “Please don’t mention my son.”
“We are in a life-and-death struggle, but not our whole country,” Kelly said in his speech. “One percent of Americans are touched by this war. Then there is a much smaller club of families who have given all.”
Kelly, 66, is the highest-ranking military officer to lose a child in combat in Iraq or Afghanistan — a burden of war that thousands of so-called Gold Star military families like his must bear.
“The chattering class and all those who doubt America’s intentions, and resolve, endeavor to make them and their families out to be victims, but they are wrong,” he continued. “We who have served and are serving refuse their sympathy. Those of us who have lived in the dirt, sweat and struggle of the arena are not victims and will have none of that.”
The four-star general, whose Marine career spanned five decades and included three tours in Iraq, spoke of the growing divide between civilians and the military, and argued that Americans who don’t serve don’t understand the sacrifices of those who do.
“Those with less of a sense of service to the nation never understand it when men and women of character step forward to look danger and adversity straight in the eye, refusing to blink, or give ground, even to their own deaths,” Kelly said. “The protected can’t begin to understand the price paid so they and their families can sleep safe and free at night. No, they are not victims, but are warriors, your warriors, and warriors are never victims, regardless of how and where they fall. Death, or fear of death, has no power over them. Their paths are paved by sacrifice, sacrifices they gladly make — for you.”
“If anyone thinks you can somehow thank them for their service, and not support the cause for which they fight — America’s survival — then they are lying to themselves and rationalizing away something in their lives,” he said. “But, more importantly, they are slighting our warriors and mocking their commitment to the nation.”
Kelly, like his would-be future boss, took aim at the media for what he called negative coverage of U.S. military actions.
“Yes, we are at war, and are winning, but you wouldn’t know it because successes go unreported,” he said. “And only when something does go sufficiently or is sufficiently controversial, it is highlighted by the media elite that then sets up the ‘know it all’ chattering class to offer their endless criticism. These self-proclaimed experts always seem to know better, but have never themselves been in the arena. We are at war and like it or not, that is a fact. It is not Bush’s war, and it is not Obama’s war, it is our war and we can’t run away from it.”
Today’s troops, Kelly said, “are not born k**lers, but are good and decent young men and women who for going on 10 years have performed remarkable acts of bravery and selflessness to a cause they have decided is bigger and more important than themselves.”
“Like my own two sons who are Marines and have fought in Iraq, and until this week, Afghanistan, they are also the same kids that drove their cars too fast for your liking,” Kelly said, holding back his tears, “and played the god-awful music of their generation too loud. But have no doubt they are the finest of their generation.”
Kelly, who retired as the head of the U.S. Southern Command earlier this year, spoke openly about his son’s death at his final Pentagon news conference.
“To lose a child is — I can’t imagine anything worse than that. I used to think, when I’d go to all of my trips up to Bethesda, Walter Reed, I’ll go to the funerals with the secretaries of defense, that I could somehow imagine what it would be like,” Kelly said, according to the Associated Press. But, he added, “when you lose one in combat, there’s a — in my opinion — there’s a p***e that goes with it, that he didn’t have to be there doing what he was doing. He wanted to be there. He volunteered.”
SEMPER FI, General Kelly
Dec 9, 2016 10:16:01 #
JFlorio
Loc: Seminole Florida
I wish Congress would pass a temporary war tax on goods and services. The tax could only be added when troops are in harms way in either a declared war or conflict. Every US citizen should have skin in the game. Maybe then people would pay attention to the sacrifice of a few. [[quote=slatten49]On Veterans Day in 2010, inside an unremarkable hotel ballroom in St. Louis, Marine Gen. John F. Kelly, delivered what the Washington Post described as “a passionate and at times angry speech about the military’s sacrifices and its troops’ growing sense of isolation from society.”
That he was able to speak at all was remarkable. Four days earlier, Kelly’s 29-year-old son, Marine 1st Lt. Robert Michael Kelly, stepped on a land mine while leading a patrol in southern Afghanistan. He was k**led instantly.
John Kelly, President-elect Donald Trump’s reported pick for Homeland Security chief, never spoke of his fallen son by name during the speech to the Semper Fi Society that he had committed to give long before his son’s death. According to the Post, the elder Kelly made one request to the officer who introduced him: “Please don’t mention my son.”
“We are in a life-and-death struggle, but not our whole country,” Kelly said in his speech. “One percent of Americans are touched by this war. Then there is a much smaller club of families who have given all.”
Kelly, 66, is the highest-ranking military officer to lose a child in combat in Iraq or Afghanistan — a burden of war that thousands of so-called Gold Star military families like his must bear.
“The chattering class and all those who doubt America’s intentions, and resolve, endeavor to make them and their families out to be victims, but they are wrong,” he continued. “We who have served and are serving refuse their sympathy. Those of us who have lived in the dirt, sweat and struggle of the arena are not victims and will have none of that.”
The four-star general, whose Marine career spanned five decades and included three tours in Iraq, spoke of the growing divide between civilians and the military, and argued that Americans who don’t serve don’t understand the sacrifices of those who do.
“Those with less of a sense of service to the nation never understand it when men and women of character step forward to look danger and adversity straight in the eye, refusing to blink, or give ground, even to their own deaths,” Kelly said. “The protected can’t begin to understand the price paid so they and their families can sleep safe and free at night. No, they are not victims, but are warriors, your warriors, and warriors are never victims, regardless of how and where they fall. Death, or fear of death, has no power over them. Their paths are paved by sacrifice, sacrifices they gladly make — for you.”
“If anyone thinks you can somehow thank them for their service, and not support the cause for which they fight — America’s survival — then they are lying to themselves and rationalizing away something in their lives,” he said. “But, more importantly, they are slighting our warriors and mocking their commitment to the nation.”
Kelly, like his would-be future boss, took aim at the media for what he called negative coverage of U.S. military actions.
“Yes, we are at war, and are winning, but you wouldn’t know it because successes go unreported,” he said. “And only when something does go sufficiently or is sufficiently controversial, it is highlighted by the media elite that then sets up the ‘know it all’ chattering class to offer their endless criticism. These self-proclaimed experts always seem to know better, but have never themselves been in the arena. We are at war and like it or not, that is a fact. It is not Bush’s war, and it is not Obama’s war, it is our war and we can’t run away from it.”
Today’s troops, Kelly said, “are not born k**lers, but are good and decent young men and women who for going on 10 years have performed remarkable acts of bravery and selflessness to a cause they have decided is bigger and more important than themselves.”
“Like my own two sons who are Marines and have fought in Iraq, and until this week, Afghanistan, they are also the same kids that drove their cars too fast for your liking,” Kelly said, holding back his tears, “and played the god-awful music of their generation too loud. But have no doubt they are the finest of their generation.”
Kelly, who retired as the head of the U.S. Southern Command earlier this year, spoke openly about his son’s death at his final Pentagon news conference.
“To lose a child is — I can’t imagine anything worse than that. I used to think, when I’d go to all of my trips up to Bethesda, Walter Reed, I’ll go to the funerals with the secretaries of defense, that I could somehow imagine what it would be like,” Kelly said, according to the Associated Press. But, he added, “when you lose one in combat, there’s a — in my opinion — there’s a p***e that goes with it, that he didn’t have to be there doing what he was doing. He wanted to be there. He volunteered.”
SEMPER FI, General Kelly[/quote]
That he was able to speak at all was remarkable. Four days earlier, Kelly’s 29-year-old son, Marine 1st Lt. Robert Michael Kelly, stepped on a land mine while leading a patrol in southern Afghanistan. He was k**led instantly.
John Kelly, President-elect Donald Trump’s reported pick for Homeland Security chief, never spoke of his fallen son by name during the speech to the Semper Fi Society that he had committed to give long before his son’s death. According to the Post, the elder Kelly made one request to the officer who introduced him: “Please don’t mention my son.”
“We are in a life-and-death struggle, but not our whole country,” Kelly said in his speech. “One percent of Americans are touched by this war. Then there is a much smaller club of families who have given all.”
Kelly, 66, is the highest-ranking military officer to lose a child in combat in Iraq or Afghanistan — a burden of war that thousands of so-called Gold Star military families like his must bear.
“The chattering class and all those who doubt America’s intentions, and resolve, endeavor to make them and their families out to be victims, but they are wrong,” he continued. “We who have served and are serving refuse their sympathy. Those of us who have lived in the dirt, sweat and struggle of the arena are not victims and will have none of that.”
The four-star general, whose Marine career spanned five decades and included three tours in Iraq, spoke of the growing divide between civilians and the military, and argued that Americans who don’t serve don’t understand the sacrifices of those who do.
“Those with less of a sense of service to the nation never understand it when men and women of character step forward to look danger and adversity straight in the eye, refusing to blink, or give ground, even to their own deaths,” Kelly said. “The protected can’t begin to understand the price paid so they and their families can sleep safe and free at night. No, they are not victims, but are warriors, your warriors, and warriors are never victims, regardless of how and where they fall. Death, or fear of death, has no power over them. Their paths are paved by sacrifice, sacrifices they gladly make — for you.”
“If anyone thinks you can somehow thank them for their service, and not support the cause for which they fight — America’s survival — then they are lying to themselves and rationalizing away something in their lives,” he said. “But, more importantly, they are slighting our warriors and mocking their commitment to the nation.”
Kelly, like his would-be future boss, took aim at the media for what he called negative coverage of U.S. military actions.
“Yes, we are at war, and are winning, but you wouldn’t know it because successes go unreported,” he said. “And only when something does go sufficiently or is sufficiently controversial, it is highlighted by the media elite that then sets up the ‘know it all’ chattering class to offer their endless criticism. These self-proclaimed experts always seem to know better, but have never themselves been in the arena. We are at war and like it or not, that is a fact. It is not Bush’s war, and it is not Obama’s war, it is our war and we can’t run away from it.”
Today’s troops, Kelly said, “are not born k**lers, but are good and decent young men and women who for going on 10 years have performed remarkable acts of bravery and selflessness to a cause they have decided is bigger and more important than themselves.”
“Like my own two sons who are Marines and have fought in Iraq, and until this week, Afghanistan, they are also the same kids that drove their cars too fast for your liking,” Kelly said, holding back his tears, “and played the god-awful music of their generation too loud. But have no doubt they are the finest of their generation.”
Kelly, who retired as the head of the U.S. Southern Command earlier this year, spoke openly about his son’s death at his final Pentagon news conference.
“To lose a child is — I can’t imagine anything worse than that. I used to think, when I’d go to all of my trips up to Bethesda, Walter Reed, I’ll go to the funerals with the secretaries of defense, that I could somehow imagine what it would be like,” Kelly said, according to the Associated Press. But, he added, “when you lose one in combat, there’s a — in my opinion — there’s a p***e that goes with it, that he didn’t have to be there doing what he was doing. He wanted to be there. He volunteered.”
SEMPER FI, General Kelly
[/quote]Dec 9, 2016 10:55:01 #
working class stiff
Loc: N. Carolina
J. Florio
While I agree that every American should have skin in the game when Americans are in harms way, I can't figure out how a war tax would work. Does the Congress have to declare war for the tax to come into play? Neither Vietnam or Korea were declared wars. How about the invasion of Panama? Grenada?
Does any use of US troops by the President trigger a war tax? The 'war on terror' has been going on for 15 yrs...should Americans have paid a war tax for those years? War tax for the hunt and demise of Bin Laden?
Americans already support the military to the tune of 600 B per year, isn't that already a war tax?
I'm not sure that a tax to support the troops actually would put more civilian skin in the game....pay the tax, patriotic duty done, back to black Friday shopping.
A draft....that would literally put some skin in the game. And perhaps apply a brake on foreign adventures by our government.
While I agree that every American should have skin in the game when Americans are in harms way, I can't figure out how a war tax would work. Does the Congress have to declare war for the tax to come into play? Neither Vietnam or Korea were declared wars. How about the invasion of Panama? Grenada?
Does any use of US troops by the President trigger a war tax? The 'war on terror' has been going on for 15 yrs...should Americans have paid a war tax for those years? War tax for the hunt and demise of Bin Laden?
Americans already support the military to the tune of 600 B per year, isn't that already a war tax?
I'm not sure that a tax to support the troops actually would put more civilian skin in the game....pay the tax, patriotic duty done, back to black Friday shopping.
A draft....that would literally put some skin in the game. And perhaps apply a brake on foreign adventures by our government.
Dec 9, 2016 10:55:26 #
robmull
Loc: florida
[quote=JFlorio]I wish Congress would pass a temporary war tax on goods and services. The tax could only be added when troops are in harms way in either a declared war or conflict. Every US citizen should have skin in the game. Maybe then people would pay attention to the sacrifice of a few. [[/quote]
AMEN, JF, AMEN. Billion dollar vacation$ and golf-outing$ {by "commanders"}, should only be conducted on the battle-field, if (D)esired!!! GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP!!! GOD BLESSED AMERICA AND THE FREE-WORLD!!! Now; "DRAIN THAT {RADICAL} SWAMP!!!"
AMEN, JF, AMEN. Billion dollar vacation$ and golf-outing$ {by "commanders"}, should only be conducted on the battle-field, if (D)esired!!! GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP!!! GOD BLESSED AMERICA AND THE FREE-WORLD!!! Now; "DRAIN THAT {RADICAL} SWAMP!!!"
Dec 9, 2016 11:23:46 #
Dec 9, 2016 12:10:34 #
JFlorio
Loc: Seminole Florida
Details, details. Actually these are the questions that would have to be answered. Let me begin by saying if we are going to put troops in harm's way for an extended period of time (to be determined by our lawmakers) I believe it the duty of the President to call for a Declaration of War from the Congress. Let these mealy mouthed politicians be on record when they put our sons and daughters in harm's way. I've seen too many jump on board when a "conflict" is successful only to flip-flop when said conflict costs lives. As far as "when does the tax kick in? "It would first have to be mandated as temporary. Secondly, congress would have to get off their ass and determine what parameters constitute or triggers the war tax. I have no problem with a War on Terror tax. Maybe some people, like Obama would have to admit we are at war with radical Islam and actually declare it. You could be right. Many may not pay attention after the initial tax added on. However; I believe the debate would be intense and wake many people up. Additionally if on every receipt you have war tax and amount more people may pay attention than you think. The problem with your conclusion that we all pay for the military already is bogus. Only about 48% pay Federal Taxes. A consumption War Tax would hit everyone. I would exempt those presently serving and Veterans. They have already paid their "tax."
working class stiff wrote:
J. Florio br br While I agree that every American... (show quote)
Dec 9, 2016 12:58:38 #
"Please Don't Mention My Son."
To Robmull: I Agree on the funding, BUT ,
Absolutely, NO WAR, Or "Conflict", Or , "Police
Action",(wh**ever that was during Vietnam),
UNLESS, You Are In IT, To WIN IT!!! NO More
"Policing The World", Wasting The Live's Of
Brave, Loyale, & Patriotic, Young American's &
Accomplishing, Nothing!! IF WE MUST FIGHT,
It Should Be; VENI-VIDI-VICI, Short & Sweet!!
To Robmull: I Agree on the funding, BUT ,
Absolutely, NO WAR, Or "Conflict", Or , "Police
Action",(wh**ever that was during Vietnam),
UNLESS, You Are In IT, To WIN IT!!! NO More
"Policing The World", Wasting The Live's Of
Brave, Loyale, & Patriotic, Young American's &
Accomplishing, Nothing!! IF WE MUST FIGHT,
It Should Be; VENI-VIDI-VICI, Short & Sweet!!
Dec 9, 2016 13:19:15 #
Dec 9, 2016 14:10:52 #
working class stiff
Loc: N. Carolina
JFlorio wrote:
Details, details. Actually these are the questions... (show quote)
They were just some thoughts that came to mind when reading your post...as I said, when it comes to war I agree every American should have some skin in the game.
Dec 9, 2016 16:20:16 #
lpnmajor
Loc: Arkansas
slatten49 wrote:
On Veterans Day in 2010, inside an unremarkable ho... (show quote)
Another example of why 2 years of mandatory National service is a good idea. The best way to show the next generation what it means to serve - is to serve. A side effect of that program being - there won't be any deferrals for rich kids when the balloon goes up, causing some folks to pause and consider the morality of profit before people.
Dec 9, 2016 17:22:26 #
slatten49
Loc: Lake Whitney, Texas
lpnmajor wrote:
Another example of why 2 years of mandatory National service is a good idea. The best way to show the next generation what it means to serve - is to serve. A side effect of that program being - there won't be any deferrals for rich kids when the balloon goes up, causing some folks to pause and consider the morality of profit before people.
I agree, Doc.
It need not have to be military service, but should exclude opt-outs for the privileged 'upper crust' of society. Examples of such would be with the U.S. Forest Service, National Parks or the Peace Corps...among other possibilities. Dec 9, 2016 20:18:31 #
slatten49 wrote:
I agree, Doc. It need not have to be military service, but should exclude opt-outs for the privileged 'upper crust' of society. Examples of such would be with the U.S. Forest Service, National Parks or the Peace Corps...among other possibilities.
It need not have to be military service, but should exclude opt-outs for the privileged 'upper crust' of society. Examples of such would be with the U.S. Forest Service, National Parks or the Peace Corps...among other possibilities. But, they should ALL have to go through Marine Corps Boot Camp.
Dec 9, 2016 21:39:29 #
JFlorio wrote:
During WW2, the War Finance Committee held eight War Bond drives. I wish Congress would pass a temporary war tax on goods and services. The tax could only be added when troops are in harms way in either a declared war or conflict. Every US citizen should have skin in the game. Maybe then people would pay attention to the sacrifice of a few.
On May 1, 1941, the first Series E U.S. Savings Bond was sold to President Franklin D. Roosevelt by Secretary of the Treasury Henry Morgenthau. On January 3, 1946, the last proceeds from the Victory Bond campaign were deposited to the Treasury. The War Finance Committees, in charge of the loan drives, sold a total of $185.7 billion of securities. This incredible mass selling achievement (for helping to finance the war) has not been matched, before or since. By the end of World War II, over 85 million Americans had invested in War Bonds, a number unmatched by any other country.
The seventh, launched just 6 days after the German surrender in Europe, and a month after the end of the Battle of Iwo Jima, proved to be the biggest. The stars of this drive were USN Pharmacists Mate John Bradley, PFC Rene Gagnon USMC, and PFC Ira Hayes USMC, the three surviving members of the famous f**g raising on Suribachi.
Elaborate plans were made for the Seventh War Loan. Nationally planned special promotional events far surpassed those planned for any other bond drive, and the Office of War Information pledged 50% of all available radio time to advertisement of the Seventh Loan. An additional $19.1 million was contributed to advertising in support of the drive, and the combined estimate surpassed $42 million in free advertising. Beginning on May 14, 1945, just a few days after V-E Day, some officials feared the goal of $14 billion would not be reached if Americans believed the surrender of Germany made full subscription unnecessary. These fears proved unfounded, as the individual sales goal of $7 billion - the highest of any war bond drive - was surpassed by $1.6 billion. The final tally recorded sales of over $26 billion dollars during the six weeks of the Seventh War Loan drive.
Couple things to keep in mind. The dollar back then was worth something, and the population of the US was just over132 million, just below a third of what it is now.
.
I salute General Kelly and his fallen son. I salute the United States Marines. Semper Fi.
Dec 9, 2016 23:04:24 #
slatten49
Loc: Lake Whitney, Texas
PoppaGringo wrote:
But, they should ALL have to go through Marine Corps Boot Camp.
I could go along with that.
Dec 10, 2016 07:46:04 #
JFlorio wrote:
Details, details. Actually these are the questions... (show quote)
Your thoughts are ones that have been brought-up with every conflict in my 66 years... From what I've been told and seen in programs on TV, these issues have been going on even before the USA was founded... How to best Support Our Military... And it seems We have always - all ways - come-up short on Support...
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.