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Old 10-15-2010, 08:21   #1
The Reaper
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"The Last Patrol"

Good read.

Tough days to be soldiers.

http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/...patrol/8266/1/

TR
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Old 10-15-2010, 11:11   #2
DinDinA-2
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Indeed, a good read. It takes me back to my first tour in VN, with the 173d. This story could have been written then and be just as accurate.

Yes, tough times for our soldiers today.

Support them however you can!
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Old 10-15-2010, 11:25   #3
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T.R. Thanks for the post, great read.
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Old 10-15-2010, 12:58   #4
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Volunteer Army after all of these years of war. I see young Sgt's with 8 combat hash marks on their class A's.
Tell me we don't have great young Americans.
Next time you hear an old guy bitchin about young kids today grab him by the stack and swivel.
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Old 10-15-2010, 13:25   #5
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2Charlie

My son is in 2 Charlie. He was an 18X who washed out and ended up in the 82nd. He gave me the occasional sitrep but I didn't realize how bad he had it there until I read this article. I still don't understand how we still have ground ceded to the enemy after 10 years of fighting. It just doesn't make sense.

He's considering dropping a SWCS packet soon for a second run at a long tab. Regardless, I'm a dad that couldn't be prouder.

BTAR
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Old 10-15-2010, 14:11   #6
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That was a pretty solemn story. My hat's off to all of those young members of C Co. 2/508. Reading that almost made me feel guilty that I was in during peacetime.

Last edited by mojaveman; 10-15-2010 at 22:29.
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Old 10-15-2010, 19:16   #7
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I agree.

Young American soldiers, kids, in some cases, doing their jobs to the best of their abilities under very difficult circumstances.

I felt sorry for the artillery unit sent to replace them. They were destined to take a real beating.

Well written and gripping story as well.

Where do these young men come from?

Thanks to the parents, teachers, coaches, preachers, and trainers who made them what they are.

When those guys have a bad day, they do not come home, of if they do, minus some key pieces.

How can we complain about our lives after reading that?

RIP to the fallen, prayers out for all. God Bless the American Paratrooper.

Thank you.

TR
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"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat." - President Theodore Roosevelt, 1910

De Oppresso Liber 01/20/2025
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Old 10-15-2010, 21:12   #8
Tatonka316
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Thank you, TR for posting and reminding all of us how lucky we are there are brave men and women in uniform that are willing to do what needs to be done, no matter what is asked of them.

God bless them all!!!

molon labe
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Old 10-16-2010, 00:32   #9
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Thank TR, brutal and very humbling, god bless them.
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Old 10-16-2010, 01:46   #10
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Our prayers are with all of them. It makes one proud to know there are still young men willing to fight for what is right.
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Old 10-16-2010, 06:56   #11
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Amazing article, thank you sir. And thank you to those soldiers.
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Old 10-16-2010, 07:48   #12
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Amazing article.

I wish the best for those poor 101st artillerymen. That's the short end of the stick, alright.
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Old 10-16-2010, 08:24   #13
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Very well written article that really puts a good visual on things. I had to send out a link to this article to family members who have no clue what it is like to be in a combat zone these days as an eye opener for the sacrifices these young brave men make on a daily basis, and to not forget that we are still a nation at war.
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Old 10-16-2010, 08:41   #14
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That was a very humbling article to read. I think it is a good reminder for us civilians of the sacrifices others are making to keep us free. My prayers today are with those still at war, those who have returned, and the families of those who have not. I am thankful for each of you who have signed your name and volunteered, both past and present. And finally, with respect, I think it is only those of us who have not worn the uniform that need ask, where do we get such men?
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Old 10-16-2010, 09:07   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Broadsword2004 View Post
As the others have said, thankyou for the story TR. Very humbling.

Why was an artillery unit sent in to do the job of the infantry though?
Same thing happened in Iraq as Combat Arms troops have been used out of their primary MOS to cover all the bases....small Army.
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