30 Years Ago Today.....

[53driver]

3031

Graduation Day.

US Naval Academy, Class of 1985. Life altering education.

USMC pilot. Life altering career path.

30 years later - still has effects on my thoughts and actions.
"What would 'Ron' do?"

Here is a link to THE Commander-in-Chief's speech that day.
Words still ring true.
However, I'll bet a paycheck no current political candidate would utter these words for fear of MSM reprisal.
http://www.reagan.utexas.edu/archives/speeches/1985/52285a.htm

[shooter]

Buddy you were lucky to have a Commander in Chief like Ronald Reagan. May not ever be another that has his intestinal fortitude. He was a mans man , above reproach , he had your back , and most of all he made you proud to be an American. (This is where Lee Greenwood sings God Bless the USA). I commend you for your service 53.

[stroguy]

Well, I say it is too costly for America not to be prepared. As Presidents since Washington have noted: The way to prevent war is to be prepared for it.

Your careers will be no less significant to future generations of Americans than those of past naval heroes.

Well, today as throughout our history, it is strength not weakness, resolve not vacillation, that will keep the peace. It's about time that those who place their faith in wishful thinking and good intentions get the word.

Many good men gave their lives in the 1940's for America's unwillingness to prepare in the 1930's.

We are a far more moral and decent land than any totalitarian state, and we should be proud of it.

Sometimes it's hard to find the words to express my heartfelt gratitude for those who serve on active duty and in the Reserves. But it isn't difficult to find the words to explain why they do what they do. It only takes one word -- patriotism. And as Commander in Chief, I am overwhelmed at times by their dedication and courage.

Do not be afraid to admit and consider your doubts, but don't be paralyzed by them.

Snippets from one speech. The man had nothing but patriotism for this great country in his heart. Thanks Steve and thanks for your service.

I am also proud that I served 8 of my 10 years with this man as my Commander in Chief.

Here is the speech live. ENJOY!

http://www.c-span.org/video/?125436-1/naval-academy-commencement

[wjduke]

Fantastic, congrats to you and for your service. My uncle is a West Point grad, and this June 20th, my cousins son is graduating from the US Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, NY. I'm proud of my military background and my family. Reagan was one of our best, if not the best...the one right now...maybe the worst. Only history will tell.

[flat6bagger]

God bless you every day of your life!

[Steve 0080]

+1 :icon_smflag:



Great speech by the President...

[firetech]

+2

[hiflyer]

+3 :biggthumpup:

[Navvet]

My wife said "Those were the days we were proud to serve ...."

35 years ago Tuesday I left for boot camp and started my journey.

:lolup:

[opas ride]

One of my sons is a Staff Sargent in the Marines and is very proud of what he does and is...But, he tells me many, many, of his fellow soliders cannot stand the "jerk" in the White House now and don't trust or respect him at all...He has no integrity or honor and only excels at "lying" and promoting his radical, left wing liberal politics.....Sad what is happening to America......

[ths61]

One of my sons is a Staff Sargent in the Marines and is very proud of what he does and is...But, he tells me many, many, of his fellow soliders cannot stand the "jerk" in the White House now and don't trust or respect him at all...He has no integrity or honor and only excels at "lying" and promoting his radical, left wing liberal politics.....Sad what is happening to America......

Sad but true, just ask the families of Christopher Stevens, Sean Smith, Tyrone Woods and Glenn Doherty as BHO and HRC were shamelessly taking their photo op while lying over the deceased in their returning caskets. A true disgrace for America and for all our service men.

Gentlemen, thank you for your service to our country.

https://counterjihadnews.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/20140916__benghazi_caskets_murdered_l.jpg

[Airborne06]

14116

Graduation Day.

US Naval Academy, Class of 1985. Life altering education.

USMC pilot. Life altering career path.

30 years later - still has effects on my thoughts and actions.
"What would 'Ron' do?"

Here is a link to THE Commander-in-Chief's speech that day.
Words still ring true.
However, I'll bet a paycheck no current political candidate would utter these words for fear of MSM reprisal.
http://www.reagan.utexas.edu/archives/speeches/1985/52285a.htm

I did my 30 years active duty in the Army (1978-2008), and we will never have a better Commander-in-Chief than President Ronald Reagan. Congrats on being here to remember your 30th my Brother!

[taxfree4]

Thank a waiter for their service, thank a vet for their sacrifice. The minute they are inducted they pledge their lives because at any given moment they will use their body as a shield between you and the enemy. And whether they make it back or not they walk fearlessly into danger with no fanfare or praise. And to correct a well known, but in my opinion, grossly inaccurate phase "All Gave Some, Some Gave All" I don't think a soldier, or sailor, goes into battle saying to himself "I'm going to give some of myself." A better phrase is "All Gave All, Some Gave The Ultimate.". And in honor of all fallen vets who gave the ultimate I submit the ultimate Memorial Day Tribute IMHO:

These did not pass in selfishness;
they died for all mankind;
They died to build a better world
for all who stay behind;
And we who hold their memory dear,
and bring them flowers today,
Should consecrate ourselves once more
to live and die as they.


They were defenders of the faith
and guardians of the truth;
That you and I might live and love,
they gladly gave their youth;
And we who set this day apart
to honor them who sleep
Should pledge ourselves to hold the faith
they gave their lives to keep.


If tears are all we shed for them,
then they have died in vain;
If flowers are all we bring them,
forgotten they remain;
If by their courage we ourselves
to courage are not led,
Then needlessly these graves have closed
above our heroes dead.


To symbolize our love with flowers
is not enough to do;
We must be brave as they were brave,
and true as they were true.
They died to build a better world,
and we who mourn today
Should consecrate ourselves once more
to live and die as they

[Retired Army]

14131 Is it any wonder the troops see him as a jerk?

[opas ride]

14131 Is it any wonder the troops see him as a jerk?


The photo shows it all...This self-serving, useless "jerk" has absolutely no respect for our Military and is only concerned about his own political worthless left wing BS...What an "ASSHOLE"......

[stroguy]

You cannot hide ignorant.

[53driver]

You cannot hide ignorant.

Too bad we can't hide it from the rest of the world......

[53driver]

Thank a waiter for their service, thank a vet for their sacrifice. The minute they are inducted they pledge their lives because at any given moment they will use their body as a shield between you and the enemy. And whether they make it back or not they walk fearlessly into danger with no fanfare or praise. And to correct a well known, but in my opinion, grossly inaccurate phase "All Gave Some, Some Gave All" I don't think a soldier, or sailor, goes into battle saying to himself "I'm going to give some of myself." A better phrase is "All Gave All, Some Gave The Ultimate.". And in honor of all fallen vets who gave the ultimate I submit the ultimate Memorial Day Tribute IMHO:

These did not pass in selfishness;
they died for all mankind;
They died to build a better world
for all who stay behind;
And we who hold their memory dear,
and bring them flowers today,
Should consecrate ourselves once more
to live and die as they.


They were defenders of the faith
and guardians of the truth;
That you and I might live and love,
they gladly gave their youth;
And we who set this day apart
to honor them who sleep
Should pledge ourselves to hold the faith
they gave their lives to keep.


If tears are all we shed for them,
then they have died in vain;
If flowers are all we bring them,
forgotten they remain;
If by their courage we ourselves
to courage are not led,
Then needlessly these graves have closed
above our heroes dead.


To symbolize our love with flowers
is not enough to do;
We must be brave as they were brave,
and true as they were true.
They died to build a better world,
and we who mourn today
Should consecrate ourselves once more
to live and die as they


Thanks mate. I liked it a lot. Is that a taxfree original?

[srt8-in-largo]

Steve, very impressed my friend!

Reagan and his kind are the last of an exemplary breed; the torch has been passed to the current generation and now it's up to us to similarly conduct ourselves with a wisdom and class worthy of being passed to the ones coming up behind us.


You're either an A-hole or a dimwit to do what this guy does:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2iU7NbPWzk

[stroguy]

Buffoon with a capital BUFFOON.

[shooter]

Steve, very impressed my friend!

Reagan and his kind are the last of an exemplary breed; the torch has been passed to the current generation and now it's up to us to similarly conduct ourselves with a wisdom and class worthy of being passed to the ones coming up behind us.


You're either an A-hole or a dimwit to do what this guy does:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2iU7NbPWzk

Me thinks BOTH. This so-called great orator , this "brilliant scholar". I'm not putting him down. From what I've seen I think at best he is of average intelligence. And that may be generous. I would like to see the results of a standardized IQ exam.

[taxfree4]

Thanks mate. I liked it a lot. Is that a taxfree original?

I wish, that's a Memorial Day poem written by Edgar A Guest that is read every Memorial Day Ceremony at my chapel.

[53driver]

I wish, that's a Memorial Day poem written by Edgar A Guest that is read every Memorial Day Ceremony at my chapel.

Edgar A Guest? Oh my goodness. No wonder I liked it.
My all time favorite poem is by him: "It Couldn't Be Done."

My dad had a gorgeous Old English Script of that poem framed and hanging in his home office for years.
He knew I liked it.
When I got promoted to LtCol, he gave it to me and wrote on the back how proud he was.

It Couldn’t Be Done
BY EDGAR ALBERT GUEST

Somebody said that it couldn’t be done
But he with a chuckle replied
That “maybe it couldn’t,” but he would be one
Who wouldn’t say so till he’d tried.
So he buckled right in with the trace of a grin
On his face. If he worried he hid it.
He started to sing as he tackled the thing
That couldn’t be done, and he did it!

Somebody scoffed: “Oh, you’ll never do that;
At least no one ever has done it;”
But he took off his coat and he took off his hat
And the first thing we knew he’d begun it.
With a lift of his chin and a bit of a grin,
Without any doubting or quiddit,
He started to sing as he tackled the thing
That couldn’t be done, and he did it.

There are thousands to tell you it cannot be done,
There are thousands to prophesy failure,
There are thousands to point out to you one by one,
The dangers that wait to assail you.
But just buckle in with a bit of a grin,
Just take off your coat and go to it;
Just start in to sing as you tackle the thing
That “cannot be done,” and you’ll do it.

[taxfree4]

Edgar A Guest? Oh my goodness. No wonder I liked it.
My all time favorite poem is by him: "It Couldn't Be Done."

My dad had a gorgeous Old English Script of that poem framed and hanging in his home office for years.
He knew I liked it.
When I got promoted to LtCol, he gave it to me and wrote on the back how proud he was.

It Couldn’t Be Done
BY EDGAR ALBERT GUEST

Somebody said that it couldn’t be done
But he with a chuckle replied
That “maybe it couldn’t,” but he would be one
Who wouldn’t say so till he’d tried.
So he buckled right in with the trace of a grin
On his face. If he worried he hid it.
He started to sing as he tackled the thing
That couldn’t be done, and he did it!

Somebody scoffed: “Oh, you’ll never do that;
At least no one ever has done it;”
But he took off his coat and he took off his hat
And the first thing we knew he’d begun it.
With a lift of his chin and a bit of a grin,
Without any doubting or quiddit,
He started to sing as he tackled the thing
That couldn’t be done, and he did it.

There are thousands to tell you it cannot be done,
There are thousands to prophesy failure,
There are thousands to point out to you one by one,
The dangers that wait to assail you.
But just buckle in with a bit of a grin,
Just take off your coat and go to it;
Just start in to sing as you tackle the thing
That “cannot be done,” and you’ll do it.

That's coincidence if I've ever heard, every Memorial Day when my priest read it he never got through it without his voice crackling a little. He was a WWII battlefield chaplain with the Belgium Resistance who gave a lot of last rites and was an escaped POW from the Nazis. Guest had a way, I guess, of capturing the essence of what he was feeling like no other writing he ever read and precisely why he picked that poem to read every year.