The following is an email that I received from a friend today. I was certainly impressed and NO, I could make it through with dry eyes. Verified it with Jim.
WHAT A GREAT TRIBUTE TO OUR TROOPS!! TOO BAD THE NEWS MEDIA DOESN'T THINK THIS IS NEWS WORTHY!!
Lets see you get through this dry-eyed.
To all those in my family and my friends...and the families of my
friends...who have served in the military at any time, I say THANK YOU...and
to my family members (you know who you are), I am so very proud of you...and
it is because of you that I thank every man and woman in uniform - on the
street, at the mall, at the airport...wherever I see them.
****************************************************
FRIDAY MORNING AT THE PENTAGON
By JOSEPH L. GALLOWAY
McClatchy Newspapers
Over the last 12 months, 1,042 soldiers, Marines, sailors and Air Force
personnel have given their lives in the terrible duty that is war.
Thousands more have come home on stretchers, horribly wounded and facing
months or years in military hospitals.
This week, I'm turning my space over to a good friend and former
roommate, Army Lt. Col. Robert Bateman, who recently completed a year
long tour of duty in Iraq and is now back at the Pentagon.
Here's Lt. Col. Bateman's account of a little-known ceremony that fills
the halls of the Army corridor of the Pentagon with cheers, applause and
many tears every Friday morning. It first appeared on May 17 on the
Weblog of media critic and pundit Eric Alterman at the Media Matters for
America Web site.
"It is 110 yards from the "E" ring to the "A" ring of the Pentagon. This
section of the Pentagon is newly renovated; the floors shine, the
hallway is broad, and the lighting is bright. At this instant the entire
length of the corridor is packed with officers, a few sergeants
and some civilians, all crammed tightly three and four deep against the
walls. There are thousands here.
This hallway, more than any other, is the Army' hallway. The G3 offices
line one side, G2 the other, G8 is around the corner. All Army. Moderate
conversations flow in a low buzz. Friends, who may not have seen each
other for a few weeks, or a few years, spot each other, cross the way
and renew their friendships.
Everyone shifts to ensure an open path remains down the center. The air
conditioning system was not designed for this press of bodies in this
area. The temperature is rising already. Nobody cares.10:36 hours: The
clapping starts at the E-Ring. That is the outer most of the five rings
of the Pentagon and it is closest to the entrance to the building.. This
clapping is low, sustained, hearty. It is applause with a deep emotion
behind it as it moves forward in a wave down the length of the hallway.
A steady rolling wave of sound it is, moving at the pace of the soldier
in the wheelchair who marks the forward edge with his presence. He is
the first. He is missing the greater part of one leg, and some of his
wounds are still suppurating.. By his age I expect that he is a private,
or perhaps a private first class.
Captains, majors, lieutenant colonels and colonels meet his gaze and nod
as they applaud, soldier to soldier. Three years ago when I described
one of these events, those lining the hallways were somewhat different.
The applause a little wilder, perhaps in private guilt for not having
shared in the burden. Yet.
Now almost everyone lining the hallway is, like the man in the
wheelchair, also a combat veteran. This steadies the applause, but I
think deepens the sentiment. We have all been there now. The soldier's
chair is pushed by, I believe, a full colonel. Behind him, and
stretching the length from Rings E to A, come more of his peers, each
private, corporal, or sergeant assisted as need be by a field grade
officer.
11:00 hours: Twenty-four minutes of steady applause. My hands hurt, and
I laugh to myself at how stupid that sounds in my own head. My hands
hurt.. Please! Shut up and clap. For twenty-four
minutes, soldier after soldier has come down this hallway - 20, 25, 30.
Fifty-three legs come with them, and perhaps only 52 hands or arms, but
down this hall came 30 solid hearts.
They pass down this corridor of officers and applause, and then meet for
a private lunch, at which they are the guests of honor, hosted by the
generals. Some are wheeled along. Some insist upon getting out of their
chairs, to march as best they can with their chin held up, down this
hallway, through this most unique audience. Some are
catching handshakes and smiling like a politician at a Fourth of July
parade. More than a couple of them seem amazed and are smiling shyly.
There are families with them as well: the18-year-old war-bride pushing
her 19-year-old husband's wheelchair and not quite understanding why her
husband is so affected by this, the boy
she grew up with, now a man, who had never shed a tear is crying; the
older immigrant Latino parents who have, perhaps more than their wounded
mid-20s son, an appreciation for the emotion given on their son's
behalf. No man in that hallway, walking or clapping,
is ashamed by the silent tears on more than a few cheeks. An Airborne
Ranger wipes his eyes only to better see. A couple of the officers in
this crowd have themselves been a part of this parade in the past.
These are our men, broken in body they may be, but they are our
brothers, and we welcome them home. This parade has gone on, every
single Friday, all year long, for more than four years.
Did you know that?
The media hasn't yet told the story - And probably never will. ARE YOU SUPRISED? I'M NOT!
Didn't see this reported in the media!!
Moderator: Site Admin
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- Ranger/LRRP/Admin
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- Joined: June 22nd, 2006, 8:47 am
Didn't see this reported in the media!!
SUA SPONTE - "We few, we happy few, we BAND OF BROTHERS;
for he today that sheds his blood with me shall be my brother!" - Shakespeare
RLTW! - Land of the Free BECAUSE of the Brave
RS 3-70
SSG VN 69-70
I Co., 75th. Inf.
4/9 Inf., 25th ID
Mentored Ranger kozzman555
http://www.75thrra.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; - LM 183
http://www.ranger.org" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; - LM 3537
for he today that sheds his blood with me shall be my brother!" - Shakespeare
RLTW! - Land of the Free BECAUSE of the Brave
RS 3-70
SSG VN 69-70
I Co., 75th. Inf.
4/9 Inf., 25th ID
Mentored Ranger kozzman555
http://www.75thrra.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; - LM 183
http://www.ranger.org" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; - LM 3537
Re: Didn't see this reported in the media!!
This has been ongoing for some time. It is, indeed, inspirational.
Ranger Class 13-71
Advisor, VN 66-68 69-70
42d Vn Ranger Battalion 1969-1970
Trainer, El Salvador 86-87
Advisor, Saudi Arabian National Guard 91, 93-94
75th RRA Life Member #867
Advisor, VN 66-68 69-70
42d Vn Ranger Battalion 1969-1970
Trainer, El Salvador 86-87
Advisor, Saudi Arabian National Guard 91, 93-94
75th RRA Life Member #867
Re: Didn't see this reported in the media!!
My parents flew out to DC after I was hurt and we signed up at Walter Reed to go on a trip to the Pentagon. Walking through this was amazing.It was one of the greatest experiences in my life.
02-08 1/128 INF BN
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- Ranger/LRRP/Admin
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- Joined: June 22nd, 2006, 8:47 am
Re: Didn't see this reported in the media!!
Well ShotUP, this country owes you way more than a walk through the Pentagon. Probably won't get it, EXCEPT from the men and women on this site.ShotUp wrote:My parents flew out to DC after I was hurt and we signed up at Walter Reed to go on a trip to the Pentagon. Walking through this was amazing.It was one of the greatest experiences in my life.
IMHO, the day will come young Warrior when you will be sitting at the right hand of God! Thanks for your service! ~S~
SUA SPONTE - "We few, we happy few, we BAND OF BROTHERS;
for he today that sheds his blood with me shall be my brother!" - Shakespeare
RLTW! - Land of the Free BECAUSE of the Brave
RS 3-70
SSG VN 69-70
I Co., 75th. Inf.
4/9 Inf., 25th ID
Mentored Ranger kozzman555
http://www.75thrra.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; - LM 183
http://www.ranger.org" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; - LM 3537
for he today that sheds his blood with me shall be my brother!" - Shakespeare
RLTW! - Land of the Free BECAUSE of the Brave
RS 3-70
SSG VN 69-70
I Co., 75th. Inf.
4/9 Inf., 25th ID
Mentored Ranger kozzman555
http://www.75thrra.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; - LM 183
http://www.ranger.org" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; - LM 3537