4 posts tagged “northcarolina”
Day 8:
Coop and I arrived just in time to catch the RTW RV as it was traveling to the step off point for the 8th day of the Resolve to Win Walk. I had dropped my vehicle at the VA/NC State line and rode with Coop. I was not prepared for the level of motivation displayed by these men and the people with them. I knew it was high; but when you experience it first-hand, it's truly inspirational.
These men had spent their lives in service to their country and retired to enjoy the benefits of the freedoms they had fought to preserve. They voluntarily returned to active duty and went to Iraq. What they saw there convinced them, in spite of news reports to the contrary, that we can win if only have the Reslove to Win. They didn't have to do this. They could have stayed home and enjoyed every minute of the rest of their lives and no one would have questioned it. Instead, they decided it was time to make a statement. It was time to show the American people, and the world, that America is a force for good and we need to win.
The Major runs a tight ship.
We stepped off promptly at 0730 with Gunny taking the Guidon, Major Heerup holding the American flag and just as promptly, it began to rain. Not too bad. The first leg of the walk was mildly uncomfortable, with intermittment rain squalls, but we had two young active duty Army recruiters on point and spirits were high. No way was I gonna go girly in front of these Warriors. I am a former Marine after all. I had prepared with rain gear, and knew I could handle just about anything short of a hurricaine or tornado.
I had emailed two morning radio shows about this event and had called in around 0630 to the Lee Brothers on WRVA.
I was informed that they would take my call at 0750. Coop is giving me five minute warnings as the clock ticked. Promptly at 0750 I made the call and was put right through. Scott Lee spoke to Major Heerup and emailed at 0759 to tell me that VNN had picked up the story.
I mentioned two morning shows didn't I? The second show was John Boy and Billy out of Charlotte. I never heard a response back from this one, and no one picked up the phone during the broadcast. I'm disappointed with these people and will let it be known just how disappointed I am shortly. They have always been good supporters of the troops in the past, but apparently, three retired Army officers just back from Iraq who decide to walk 400 miles to show their resolve that we can win this thing isn't worthy of their time. I would appreciate it if anyone reading this would take a minute and let them know how I feel as well.
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Our first stop came, and we rested for thirty minutes and stepped off again. I noticed a white SUV parked on the side and assumed it was a LEO waiting for us. As I walked past, I looked back and saw a license plate with 173DABN Sky Soldiers mounted on the front. Well, I wasn't going to walk past THIS vehicle without a question. Turned out to be the parents of two soldiers with the 2nd Battalion 508BCT. They had heard of the walk and brought two little ones with them and those are the pictures you see at the top of this post. They met us twice more during the walk and the video is Major McCool speaking to the parents at the VA/NC state line.
A little more rain, and now my feet are starting to bark. I have good boots; I never had a problem with my feet. Suddenly, I'm feeling pain where there usually isn't any. Shifting my weight from the ball to the heel helped; the burning on the bottom of my heels subsides and then it becomes a contest to see how long it takes to relieve the pain in my heels, versus the pain in my calves as I shift my weight.
I think the thing that impressed me most was the fact that Major Heerup and I share a common interest. Major Heerup is a structural engineer in civilian life. Because my job involves the construction of infrastructure, I had questions about the conditions in Iraq, and whether he had used his skills as an engineer during his deployment. We spoke about the conditions of the infrastructure in Iraq. He told me it was bad. Insurgents apparently do not appreciate the basic neccessities we here in America take for granted and really don't think about until they cease to function: clean water, waste water treatment, and power. Not only do the insurgents not appreciate them, they don't want anyone else to have them either. Major Heerup spoke of an incident where a WWTP (waste water treatment plant) had been repaired and put online. Within days, the insurgents had stripped and removed every piece of equipment, every run of wire, anything that could have been sold for scrap. Clean water is the basis of a civilized society. When you provide a clean sustainable source of clean water to any area, you can build from there. PRT's (Provincial Reconstruction Teams) are working daily in Iraq and Afghanistan to provide these people with the basic neccessiities and AQI and the Taliban are working just as hard to keep these people in the Dark Ages.
The left in this country don't seem to understand this fact either; and if they do, their actions make them culpable with the terrorists. They are either incredibly stupid or they are traitors.
The day ended for me at the VA/NC state line. Gunny and his wife Lori were impressed. Lori chastised me for not getting in the car with her for the last 1/2 mile. Fussed at me is more like it. She could tell I was hurting, and frankly, the thought had crossed my mind until I saw that Georgia-Pacific water tower in the distance. Thats in VA. Just across the line. From my position as "Tail-end Charlie" I called out to the group "Ya see that water tower? THAT'S IN VIRGINIA!!!"
I hurt in places I haven't hurt in since boot camp. I move like an old man this morning. But you know what, I'm going to join them again in Fairfax on Sunday and walk the last 16 miles with them.
You couldn't keep me away with a shotgun.
OOOOOOORAHHHHHHHHH!!!! The Gunny was walking with'em today...SEMPER FI, Gunny.
I'll see you Saturday 0600 hours
The blog for Resolve to Win is here.
Bubba has pictures from Day 5 here (I think). http://www.gatheringofeaglesnc.org/rtw_day5pix.html
I went to DC today and listened to a 3 star speak.
General Odierno was at the Heritage Foundation. He gave a good review of the situation in Iraq and was candid with
answers. The video should be up at the Heritage Foundation website.
| March to Washington |
| Blog this website and view videos of the Resolve to Win March (after March 1st) at the VFW National Website: http://vfwwebcom.org/ResolveToWin/. Please sign the Guestbook at the bottom of this page. |
| UPDATE: JANUARY 2008 Marc, Carl and I are all safely back in the US and have returned to our "retired" role. Please check out the updated route of our march to Washington, and join us along the way. Your participation for an hour or a day, or just standing along the march route waving the American Flag, is needed to show your support and "Resolve to Win". |
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As a soldier leaving Iraq after a one year tour of duty I have very mixed emotions about leaving here. I think all of us who volunteered to come here had hoped to see this situation in the Middle East resolved satisfactorily during our period of service. Now there is such a turbulent political climate in the US, the future is totally uncertain. What can we do now? Out of desperation and an intense desire for the American people to understand the perspective of those who have served here, I have an idea, perhaps as drastic as volunteering to come out of retirement to do a tour in a combat zone. So, maybe if you are a Patriot, this idea will appeal to you as well. Along with several cohorts here in Iraq, LTC Marc Breslow and MAJ Carl Heerup, we are planning to march from South Carolina to Washington DC during the month of March 2008. The reason is to show support for the Troops and the Mission of the Troops. The purpose is to demonstrate resolve to do a difficult task and to create a dialogue about our National "Will to Win". We firmly believe that you can not support the Troops without supporting the Mission which the Troops are asked to give their lives for. The Troops are resolved to win and over 3900 brave men and women have sacrificed their lives for America and for victory. Sacrificing your life demonstrates the greatest possible sacrifice and resolve. The march will cover over 400 miles, but if it were not incredibly challenging, it would mean nothing. To honor the resolve and sacrifice of those who have died here, we must “Resolve to Win” in Iraq. To protect our way of life and insure that our children do not have to re-engage this enemy in 5 or 10 years, we must "Resolve to Win", here and now.Of course all of America wants the troops to come home. Every Troop in Iraq and Afganistan wants to come home, but NOT before victory is achieved. Please do not misunderstand, this is NOT a political or partisan position. Our level of "National Will" has the potential for far reaching consequences more significant than partisan politics. This issue transcends political issues and is far more important than who is elected as the next President of the United States.Not since WWII has America demonstrated the resolve to do whatever it takes to defeat the enemies of our nation. At Iwo Jima, we lost 6,891 young men in three weeks. The Mothers of America did not loose their courage and determination; they kissed their younger sons and sent them to replace their lost brothers. That is why they were the Great Generation. That was Resolve! America’s continued greatness depends on it. The young American men and women in Iraq and Afghanistan can be America’s Next Great Generation and America needs to know it. I would like you to consider marching with us and helping to demonstrate, by your presence, that the silent majority supports our Troops, the mission of our Troops and has the "Resolve to Win" against our enemies. A “Core Group” is being identified, who are committed to walking the entire distance. “Regional Group” participation along the way, we hope, will be provided by civic groups who support this effort. If you have the “Resolve to Win”, I invite your participation in the Core Group, Regional Groups or individually anywhere along the way. Please see the March Route and Schedule for details. With a good turnout we can generate a fair amount of public awareness to this effort before the fact and increasing support / awareness during the 18+ days that it will takes to reach Washington, DC from the South Carolina Stateline. Target date for this march is starting on the 1st of March, which will coincide with the next Congressional Testimony by Gen Petraeus in mid March 2008. I believe we could have quite a number of people out marching with us, for a few miles, all along the route and providing local media coverage of their participation and support to this effort. Marc, Carl and myself are all career military retirees who volunteered for recall to active duty for service in Iraq. Specifically, we are representing the active duty military, retired military members, over 25 million military veterans, AARP senior citizens and million of other Americans who want to WIN in Iraq. I believe that if we ask them to join us along the way, they will. Will you? |
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