Honor is More than a Word

[Slowpoke]

I got this from an old LRRP brother of mine....a good read!



As a Combat Veteran, I offer to speak for those who cannot. We're the mouths of the Fallen Battle Brothers not stopped with dust, they would testify that life revolves around Honor. In War, it is understood that you give your Word of Honor to do your Duty - that is - stand and fight instead of running away and deserting your Friends. When you keep your Word despite desperately desiring to flee the screaming hell all around, you earn Honor.



Earning Honor under fire changes who you are. The blast furnace of battle burns away impurities encrusting your Soul. The white-hot forge of Combat hammers you into a hardened, purified Warrior willing to die rather than break your word to Friends - Your Honor. Unbeknownst to civilians, some Things are worth Dying for.



Combat is scary but exciting. You never feel so Alive as when being shot at without result. You never feel so triumphant as when shooting back - with result. You never feel Love so Pure as that burned into your Heart by Friends willing to Die to keep their word to you. And they do.



The biggest sadness of your Life is to see Friends falling. The biggest surprise of your Life is to survive the War. But although you are still alive on the outside, you are Dead inside - shot thru the Heart with nonsensical Guilt for living while Friends died. The biggest lie of your Life torments you that you could have done something more, different, to save them. Their faces are the Tombstones in your weeping eyes, their Souls shine the true Camaraderie you search for the rest of your Life but never find.



You come home but a grim Ghost of he who so lightheartedly went off to War. But home no longer exists. That World shattered like a mirror the first time you were shot at. You live a different world now. You always will. Your World is about waking up night after night silently screaming, back in Battle . Your World is about your best Friend bleeding to Death in your arms, howling in pain for you to Kill him. Your world is about shooting so many Enemies, your weapon turns red hot and jams, letting the enemy grab you. Your World is about struggling hand-to-hand for one more Breath of Life. You never speak of your World. Those who have seen Combat try not to talk about it.



People you knew before the War try to make contact. It is useless. Words fall like bricks between you. The Hurricane winds of War have hurled you as far away as Mars, and you can never go back home again, not really.



Your terrifying - but thrilling - dance with Death has made your old world of babies, backyards and ballgames seem deadly dull. Serving with Warriors who died proving their Word has made prewar Friends seem too untested to be trusted - thus they are now mere acquaintances.



Doing your Duty under fire has made you alone, a stranger in a strange land. The only time you are not alone is when with another Combat Veteran. Only he understands that keeping your Word, your Honor, whilst standing face to face with Death gives meaning and purpose to Life. Only he understands that spending a mere 24 hours in the broad, sunlit uplands of battle-proven Honor is more satisfying to a man than spending a whole lifetime groveling in the vast wasteland of civilian Life.



Although you walk through Life alone, you are not lonely. You have a constant companion from Combat - Death. It stands close behind , a little to the left. Death whispers in your ear: "Nothing matters outside my touch, and I have not touched you. Yet!"



Death never leaves you - it is your best Friend, your most trusted advisor, your wisest teacher. Death teaches you that every day above ground is a fine day. Death teaches you to feel fortunate on good days.bad days.well, they do not exist. Death teaches you that merely seeing one more sunrise is enough to fill your Cup of Life to the brim - pressed down and running over!



Down thru the dusty centuries it has always been thus. It always will be, for what is seared into a man's Soul who stands face to face with Death never changes.

[Ranger Ron]

That is very cool Slowpoke, thanks for posting it!

[Oto-Man]

Very interesting post Slowpoke...

I actually think any American who has never been, should read those words, at least once...I think it could change some minds and hearts.

Kinda sums it all up in a couple of paragraphs, why we do what we do...

Great post my friend.....

If you can give the authors name, It would be appreciated. I already have this printed out to hang in my office, and would like to acknowledge the mind that forged it....

[Slowpoke]

Very interesting post Slowpoke...

I actually think any American who has never been, should read those words, at least once...I think it could change some minds and hearts.

Kinda sums it all up in a couple of paragraphs, why we do what we do...

Great post my friend.....

If you can give the authors name, It would be appreciated. I already have this printed out to hang in my office, and would like to acknowledge the mind that forged it....

I contacted my buddy, and he doesn't have a clue as to the author. I guess it's just one of those cool things that appear on the internet.

[Ranger Bill]

I doubt that anyone who has not been there can ever understand.

[another damn texan]

Very good stuff, brother. Thanks for sharing it with us.

[Chiron]

I thoroughly enjoyed reading that. Thanks for posting it.

I also have saved this. It tells so much about so many.

[cams]

Good stuff.

[JMI]

I read the words, and am unworthy.

[cams]

I read the words, and am unworthy.

Who the fuck are you? Get back in your corner goddammit. Interupt a good thread with some pussy bullshit like that. Go slap yourself in the nuts til you cry.

[JMI]

I read the words, and am unworthy.

Who the fuck are you? Get back in your corner goddammit. Interupt a good thread with some pussy bullshit like that. Go slap yourself in the nuts til you cry.

Brilliant. I kept my words short, apparently stepped on my crank, and you chose a moment to make the situation worse. Thanks.

[Oto-Man]

I read the words, and am unworthy.

Who the fuck are you? Get back in your corner goddammit. Interupt a good thread with some pussy bullshit like that. Go slap yourself in the nuts til you cry.

Brilliant. I kept my words short, apparently stepped on my crank, and you chose a moment to make the situation worse. Thanks.

RTO, where's the popcorn.....Luna...prepare the big gun...I smells it a commin'

[cams]

I read the words, and am unworthy.

Who the fuck are you? Get back in your corner goddammit. Interupt a good thread with some pussy bullshit like that. Go slap yourself in the nuts til you cry.

Brilliant. I kept my words short, apparently stepped on my crank, and you chose a moment to make the situation worse. Thanks.

Situational awareness numbnuts. If you don't like my response, don't post stupid shit.

Now let's both of us stop sullying up what started as a thread worth reading.

[JMI]

Ranger Cams. Seriously, I paid my solemn respects to an outstanding post, and you thought it was a good time to play internet sword hockey with my cock. Believe me when I tell you I do not hang on every word you say. Most of this is BS you could have taken to PM. Thanks for showing what a hard ass you are.

It was a great speech and maybe I should have shown much better SA by not posting in a forum meant for Rangers. I am sorry - I fucked up.

You on the other hand can kiss my ass. Be a dick all your life, asshole. I could give 2 shits what you think. Banned for JMI? Gee, I came here so often.
\
Grow up a bit, okay:? Hearts and minds.

[JMI]

Now let's both of us stop sullying up what started as a thread worth reading.

Both sullying up the thread my ass. Maybe if you had SA you would have checked you self beforehand. Thanks for bringing attention to stupid shit, Ranger Cams. Hopefully this is not a regular occurence.