I just looked at my flag beautifully displayed in the shadow box

[BOSSHOG]

that my fellow Chief Petty Officers presented to me during my retirement ceremony two years ago after 24 years of honorable service in the United States Navy. It also includes my rack of ribbons, my Command Chief Badge, My CMAA badge, My duly initiated Chief Petty Officer Coin and a CPO belt buckle my white hats presented to me as well as a list of my duty stations on a brass plate.

I'm opposed to our involvement in Iraq because we are not fighting terrorism there. I will do all I can to ensure bush is not reselected. I think faux news is nothing more than a propaganda arm of the GOP. I think all chickenhawks should be airlifted to fallujah. Any conservatives want to question my fucking patriotism?

[Occulus]

1. *swish*

[VolcanoJen]

2. Beautiful post, BOSSHOGG.

Although, I'm sorry to say, every time you talk about Kerry and against Bush, folks will ask you "Why do you hate America?"

It's easy to be a chickenhawk. Too easy. :-(

[Hav]

6. .

I'm actually bothered more by fellow Dems here who see people like Bogghog in a bad light only because he served.
Although I was against the Iraq invasion as well, I would never say a soldier is nothing more than a murderer because I know that I can count on him when my liberty is at risk.
I'm not pro-military but I respect them for their service.

[nomatrix]

19. Bosshog, I have a question

Is this true, what Hav just said. Have you been treated in a bad light because you served, by your fellow dems?

Thank you for letting us know of your service. I didn't know you were retired military. And here is my question.
I can't believe all the crap (and I do mean crap) about John Kerry and what happened in Vietnam, and when he got back. It has been documented that some soldiers had committed atrocities, but do you think people think of you as a murder because you were a soldier? Do you take it personal when it's talked about here, that some soldiers flipped out? I can understand why.

Boss, I was at a lot of protests, I don't remember anyone calling soldiers murders. We were marching side by side. But maybe someone else had that experience. Maybe I didn't hear because of people I associated with. In those times, if you were listening to the music, it never blamed soldiers, who for the most part were drafted.

I have heard since then, protester caused the US to loose the war, and maybe that is true.

Anyway, I just wanted you to know, thanks for your service.

[nonconformist]

9. And we should turn that right around on them

Why do THEY hate America? Why aren't THEY supporting our troops?

[buddy22600]

3. nice post

[BlueEyedSon]

4. Thank you for your service. And your post!

:)

[BOSSHOG]

8. Thanks my fellow American

However, I got thanked on the first and the fifteenth. I just did my job just like the vast majority of hard working Americans do. Whether in the military or at a civilian job, the worker bees are what makes the country move forward.

[King_Crimson]

26. A fellow vet here BOSSHOG...

US Air Force...1971-1977! Rank at discharge E-5 Staff Seargent...AFSC 63150 Jet Aircraft Fuels Specialist!
And...an EXCELLENT original post sir...I salute you!:thumbsup:

[rppper]

30. ex submariner here....

SK2/SS...3 fast boats and 1 boomer...88-97...HONORABLE discharge...medals include a navy unit commendation, navy meritorious unit commendation, national defence service, navy sea service ribbon, 2 good conduct awards, rifle marksman and pistol marksman ribbons. also submarine warfare pin and a deterent patrol pin with two bronze stars...i qualified 4 different classes of submarines. i also helped re-write a navy SOP for minefield manuvering in 688I class subs, along with my control room crew.

i love for needle dicked chickenhawks to question my love for the country and our troops. i am proud to have served in the finest navy on the planet...even with the goats...

count me in senior. i'll gladly stand by your side, shipmate.....

thats me, far right in back...alpha trials ssn770

[jedicord]

5. My Husband was a Marine in Desert Storm

On one of our first dates (amazing we ended up getting married), I said that the war was about oil. MAN was he mad! And, looking back on it, was a pretty crappy thing for me to say to someone who just got back risking his life for his country. He truly believed in what he was fighting for at the time.

Now, he sees this war as a war for oil, hence so was the one he fought in. Take the brainwashing away, be around someone who seeks the truth, and the light does come on. I think that's why he's even more angry than I am.

Still, we have a beautiful shadow box that holds his medals, commendations, news clippings, etc. I cross-stitched the Marine logo for him and bought him a saber for display. His, and your, contribution to our country simply for putting y'all's necks on the line for common folks like me is an awesome one.

Further, I love my country and what it stands for so much that I now cry at the national anthem, not as before with pride, but with sorrow.

[BOSSHOG]

7. Semper Fi and God Bless

When I was in Saudi, we had about 100 million Air Force Guys (seemed like it) in the Joint Task Force, thousands of Army Soldiers, but I felt extremely secure because I had 12 Marines with me. They were some of the wildest, baddest, human beings on the planet and I loved them dearly. I'm proud to say that at my local watering hole, Veterans are held in the highest esteem (and we're the biggest spenders).

BUT, it was just my job. I got thanked every payday. Nobody owes me nothing. I'm just proud to be an American, and unlike conservative chickenhawks, I have no problem holding my head high.

Give that jarhead a hug!

[jedicord]

10. Still Wild and Bad!

Once a Marine, always a Marine!

Just a job? Protecting the country you love and the people in it? I don't care why anyone signs up, when they do they are knowingly putting their lives on the line.

Just a job is my job, there is no real redeeming factor for me but the paycheck. And to tell you the truth, my paycheck is more than likely bigger than yours was, factoring in for inflation.

So, thank you, here's a hug for you too!

[nonconformist]

11. Great post

I commend you for your service.

My husband doesn't have the length of service to his country that you do (he served 8 years in the Army), but it still infuriates both of us when people question our patriotism. We lived the Army life, we know how it is. We feel very deeply for our troops that are in Iraq and what their families are going through. These chickenhawks are utterly clueless.

[Bandit]

12. I salute you for your service to your country

Thank you :thumbsup:

[tom_paine]

13. As always, excellent post, BOSSHOG!

You kick ass, dude! (I won't call you 'sir' because you work for a living)

:toast: :toast:

:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[geniph]

14. My husband is a former Marine

and a Vietnam combat veteran, and he agrees with you about airlifting all chickenhawks to Fallujah. They want their stinking stupid-ass trumped-up wars, let THEM fight them.

Bring my cousins and my nephew home! Too many of my family members are over there in harm's way. And for WHAT? For WHAT?!

[Skittles]

15. BOSSHOG YOU ROCK !!!!!

:thumbsup:

[0007]

16. I salute you Mr. BOSSHOG

My way of a formal expression of commendation and admiration.

[Mari333]

17. When Michael gets back from Iraq, and

Im showing him what you wrote..Im also sending it to my son in Hawaii who just barely got out of the Guard and wasnt sent to Iraq
sometimes other peoples words make more sense then what "MOM" says.
http://www.bringthemhomenow.com

[seabeyond]

18. you go bosshog

and no, i question nothing, i salute, lol at attention.

42 year old woman here i know nothing about saluting, wink

[puerco-bellies]

20. Right on Senior Chief!

Way to tell 'em "Bring it on!".

[wellstone_democrat]

21. Not me you wonderful man!

You tell 'em babe!

[KoKo]

22. Thanks for this. I look at my father-in-Laws flag in the display box I

ordered for it and think of him who fought as a Naval commander in WWII and Korea who was angry about VietNam and why we were there. He Commanded ships in the Sicily, North Africa and Normandy theaters. In Korea he was based in Japan. He didn't live long enough to see this, but he would have been in dispair over our being in Iraq. He was furious over the VietNam War and did everything he could to keep his sons out of it. Yes, he did! He marched in every Memorial Day Parade and was a true Patriot. But he always said: "You use your military as a last resort, when all diplomacy is exhausted and you are under you are in imminent danger. He wasn't so thrilled about Korea either, but he was a sign on to Communist threat there, as many WWII folks were. After Korea he said he realized that there are places we need to be, and places we don't.

His flag and medals are near where I am on the computer as I type here. He was a wonderful man with many medals and honors. He would have been there with you.

[proud patriot]

23. you da boss

:loveya: thanks for your service :loveya:

[Redleg]

24. Excellent post, Bosshog.

Although I didn't serve in the Army for as many years as you did the Navy, I get pretty damned pissed when some candy-ass Republican questions my patriotism because I don't support Bush's Abortion in Iraq.

Redleg,
Former CPT, FA, US Army

[yardwork]

25. Thanks to Bosshog and everyone else who served our country.

It's more than "just a job." Thank you for your service, and thank you for speaking out now.

You are using the freedom that you defended - the freedom to question our leaders. The freedom to demand information.

[K8-EEE]

27. KICK!!

You rock. Shrubbie & Co sure are long on rhetoric and short on service. Thanks!

[DemoTex]

28. The gauntlet is down. Conservatives? Challenge BOSSHOG's patriotism?

Here is your chance. He has invited it. Give it your best shot.

But if you do! If you do, you had best be prepared for maximum retaliation from the best of the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines. Because we are here at DU in force. We were/are the "brains" side of the armed forces, generally speaking. You FreepCons were/are the brawn. Lines crossed, I agree, but that is the case in a nutshell.

THINK about it, but don't go crazy over it.

[Stephanie]

29. I love you BOSSHOG!

Where did these chickenhawk rightwingnuts get the idea that they owned the word 'patriotism'?