Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Say Thanks Today

In honor of Veterans Day I offer the quote below:

Jack Nicholson (Col. Jessup): Son, we live in a world that has walls, and those walls have to be guarded by men with guns. Whose gonna do it? You? You, Lt. Weinburg? I have more responsibility here than you could possibly fathom. You weep for Santiago, and you curse the marines. You have that luxury. You have the luxury of not knowing what I know. That Santiago's death, while tragic, probably saved lives. And that my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, saves lives. I know deep down in places you dont talk about at parties, you don't want me on that wall, you need me on that wall. We use words like honor, code, loyalty. We use these words as the backbone of a life spent defending something. You use them as a punchline. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very freedom I provide, then question the manner in which I provide it. I prefer you said thank you, and went on your way, Otherwise, I suggest you pick up a weapon, and stand to post. Either way, I don't give a damn what you think you are entitled to!

1 comment:

Restless Native said...

Yes, thank you to all the veterans out there. Regardless of how one feels toward the specific military action, we are lucky to be a country of citizen-soldiers and the respect and gratitude that we have for those who serve should never falter.

Thanks VooDoo and Co. and thanks to Grandpa Native (Staff Sgt, USA Ret) and Pop-Pop Restless (Sgt, USA Ret) as well as all your dads and grandfathers who fought for the ideals that make America the best country in the world.