Sleeping Dragon
Platinum Member
I recently posted this on Facebook not because I like Facebook, but because lots of civilians read what's there. It's not intended to cause triggers, or ruin your holiday. I just needed to get it off my chest. Hope you all understand.
A 4th of July from the Past
On the night of July 3rd, 1967 the re-enforced Marine Corps platoon I was with was hit by a full company of NVA and VC. The battle lasted long into the morning of the 4th.
Fifteen of the guys I was with were killed, and all the rest of us were wounded at least once. One of our guys, Melvin Newlin, was awarded the Medal of Honor for his service that night.
We counted thirty-nine NVA and VC confirmed killed. That doesn't count the ones dragged off and those who later died of their wounds.
During all the 4th of July celebrations since that night my fellow Americans waved the flags, watched the fire works and slugged down beer and hot dogs. All I see on that day is blood. The memories don't go away, and never will.
For years I've tried to show the true cost of war, not because I want to spoil the holiday. But, because any nation that participates in war needs to understand the true cost of war. Thousands of veterans will pay the price even after they return home. Many paid with their lives.
Here's what I ask. Please consider our involvement in war over the past fifteen years, and ask yourselves if what we gained was worth the cost. Then ask two presidents and hundreds of senators and representatives to explain exactly why fifteen years of bloodshed was necessary. Contact your own senators and representative and demand their answers. If they can't explain and justify our action, they shouldn't be in office.
A 4th of July from the Past
On the night of July 3rd, 1967 the re-enforced Marine Corps platoon I was with was hit by a full company of NVA and VC. The battle lasted long into the morning of the 4th.
Fifteen of the guys I was with were killed, and all the rest of us were wounded at least once. One of our guys, Melvin Newlin, was awarded the Medal of Honor for his service that night.
We counted thirty-nine NVA and VC confirmed killed. That doesn't count the ones dragged off and those who later died of their wounds.
During all the 4th of July celebrations since that night my fellow Americans waved the flags, watched the fire works and slugged down beer and hot dogs. All I see on that day is blood. The memories don't go away, and never will.
For years I've tried to show the true cost of war, not because I want to spoil the holiday. But, because any nation that participates in war needs to understand the true cost of war. Thousands of veterans will pay the price even after they return home. Many paid with their lives.
Here's what I ask. Please consider our involvement in war over the past fifteen years, and ask yourselves if what we gained was worth the cost. Then ask two presidents and hundreds of senators and representatives to explain exactly why fifteen years of bloodshed was necessary. Contact your own senators and representative and demand their answers. If they can't explain and justify our action, they shouldn't be in office.
