bluering
Trad climber
Santa Clara, Ca.
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Topic Author's Original Post - Oct 22, 2007 - 12:05pm PT
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I just got back from visiting my brother in law in Coronado, Ca which is home to the Navy SEAL training base and also home to Naval bases supporting the Pacific Fleet. It seems like everywhere you turn on the island, there's a Navy seaman. It was quite humbling to be around these guys.
I got to see Sea Knight choppers dropping future SEALs into the beaches for exercises, F-18's buzzing our dinner tables after a day's training. It's quite humbling when you realize what these guys do compared to $hit we sit around worrying about.
Anyway, I just wanted to give a shout out to the most courageous, honorable, and deadly people on the planet. These guys don't go around bragging, in fact, part of their creed is to not seek recognition for their work. You probably never even hear about some of the things SEALs do, but they're there.
Since they choose not to be recognized, I'll do it for 'em...
God Bless the the U.S. Navy SEALs...you guys are the real deal.
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UncleDoug
Social climber
N. lake Tahoe
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Oct 22, 2007 - 12:18pm PT
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The SEAL's and any person in a uniform of the US military needs to be given great respect.
It is the policy makers that need to be tarred and feathered and parraded down main street.
I also love the "non bragging"(wouldn't this be waking softly but carying a big stick) policy of the SEALS.
Too bas Jeff con't follow the fine example of these warriors.
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Tomcat
Trad climber
Chatham N.H.
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Oct 22, 2007 - 12:20pm PT
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Can do !
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bluering
Trad climber
Santa Clara, Ca.
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Topic Author's Reply - Oct 22, 2007 - 12:26pm PT
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I agree Gene. This is to honor these selfless warriors.
I did hear about the Medal of Honor ceremony. I agree with the sentiments Doug expressed. All of our military forces deserve respect, and I do respect them.
Evertime I hear about a SEAL going doing though, I know he did so doing something unimaginable to most. A rare breed that we are lucky to have protecting us.
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UncleDoug
Social climber
N. lake Tahoe
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Oct 22, 2007 - 12:27pm PT
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"I request we keep our comments and opinions of the war off this thread. "
Gene,
If there was no war, this thread would not exist!
And there would be no need to pay tribute to warriors posthumously.
Sad day, every day that a warrior dies in combat.
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Gene
climber
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Oct 22, 2007 - 12:33pm PT
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Doug,
I could not agree more with what you said. I just hope that this thread stays on topic and does't turn into a pissing match about US policy. Let's respect the warriors regardless of how we feel about the war.
GM
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fattrad
Mountain climber
GOP Convention
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Oct 22, 2007 - 12:39pm PT
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UncleDoug,
I'm a graduate of the largest and finest law enforcement training academy in the world. I've seen tours of duty in South Los Angeles (shot at), West Hollywood and Malibu. Trained in self defense, persuasive interrogation techniques, small arms, chemical weapons, etc. I'll give a slight nod to the SEALS though.
Jody's evil twin
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Salathiel
Trad climber
South Beach, FL
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Oct 22, 2007 - 01:15pm PT
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I worked with a few of the SEALs when i was in the Coast Guard. They had a training facility in Little River where they learned to pilot the zodiac landing craft. We were constantly towing them after they would run aground sometimes ten and twelve feet on shore. They were always grateful and helpful as hell and would buy us beers for our trouble.
Once though, I watched one of them jump from waist deep water into our 41', over the gunnels (Sides) and land on the deck. All of us about S&*t our pants.
I learned that the one thing that separates the elite forces from the regular troops is that they are down for anything at any time. You could turn to a SEAL or a Ranger or a PJ or dare I say, even a rescue swimmer and say "Hey, lets ride our bikes from Death valley into Whitney Portal." They would say "sure" and be ready to do it or die trying. It is a constant state of readiness.
I have always admired this.
Blur
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Bart Fay
Social climber
Redlands, CA
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Oct 22, 2007 - 01:37pm PT
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My big Bro.
UDT-BUDs Class 98 (Circa 1978)
SEAL Team Six - Plank Owner.
20 Years service.
Allegedly, spent most of a week in a Sierra snow cave with Jay Smith.
Retired out of cold weather training base on Kodiak.
Currently Fish & Wildlife officer in Alaska and making it difficult to poach bear.
Much to be said about those guys. Many stories. Good guys.
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Jody
Mountain climber
Templeton, CA
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Oct 22, 2007 - 02:09pm PT
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"I'm a graduate of the largest and finest law enforcement training academy in the world."
I didn't know you went to the CHP academy....cool.
I agree, the military deserves our utmost respect as do the families of those who are gone for long periods of time. I thank them every time I see one. The other day, tears came to the eyes of a guy when i told him how much I appreciate his sacrifice. Those folks don't hear it enough.
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Sewellymon
climber
.....in a single wide......
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Oct 22, 2007 - 02:32pm PT
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Tarbuster-- time to regale us ...you've previously written about the time you guided a couple SEALs up the E Face of the Column?
i remember in Fall of '81, EE was guiding a group of SEALs out at JT for the week (E was doing it for Don Wilson's CA School of Mountaineering). Those SEALs had a certain gleam in their eyes. And they could outdrink the climbers.
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UncleDoug
Social climber
N. lake Tahoe
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Oct 22, 2007 - 02:34pm PT
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Gene,
Agreed!
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Karl Baba
Trad climber
Yosemite, Ca
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Oct 22, 2007 - 02:50pm PT
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Climbing at base of EL Cap once with my girlfriend at the time, A bunch of Seals went by with their shirts off. The girlfriend was drooling. I teased her about it a tiny bit and she said "Yeah, and if Sports Illustrated were doing the swimsuit shoot here you wouldn't drool" Ok, No argument or double standard from me.
I think it's possible to support the troops without supporting the war.
Just don't use the troops as the argument to support the war cause needless fighting doesn't help them and they can't ask to come home. We have to do it for them.
peace
karl
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Bart Fay
Social climber
Redlands, CA
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Oct 22, 2007 - 04:22pm PT
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>>>Just don't use the troops as the argument to support the war cause needless fighting
>>>doesn't help them and they can't ask to come home. We have to do it for them.
---keep our comments and opinions of the war off this thread.
Karl, How'z about trying a little harder, huh ?
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Karl Baba
Trad climber
Yosemite, Ca
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Oct 22, 2007 - 04:36pm PT
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Sorry, if you want to honor a group, you have to be concerned about them getting killed for no good reason. All I'm saying that if you respect these guys, let's have real concern for their welfare and not just rally around the patriotic image of their heroism which has been used to often to squelch criticism of the war.
No more. When these guys stop dying for a illegal, immoral wars, I'll be able to let the subject of war rest separate from the warriors.
PEace
karl
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T Moses
Trad climber
Paso Robles
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Oct 22, 2007 - 04:38pm PT
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Karl might wisely use the edit button.
Read Marcus Luttrell's acount in "Lone Survivor".
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0316067598/bookstorenow99-20
Lt. Murphy (Previously mentoined in this thread) was his friend and commrade in arms. He made the ultimate sacrifice by walking into enemy fire to save his men.
Truely amazing. A big thanks to those ensuring our freedom!
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Jody
Mountain climber
Templeton, CA
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Oct 22, 2007 - 04:38pm PT
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Karl goes by different standards than the rest of us Theron.
Thanks for the link!
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Karl Baba
Trad climber
Yosemite, Ca
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Oct 22, 2007 - 04:41pm PT
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Sorry Moses, the issue is what I stated above.
You say these guys are ensuring our freedom. However, they can only do that if used for causes and missions which do that. Unfortunately, Iraq has done just the opposite and the whole wartime footing has been used to take our freedom away domestically.
I won't shut up about it. We are misusing and abusing these soldiers, poisoning them with depleted Uranium, and failing on giving them proper health care for their injuries when they get back. Calling a politics-free feelgood thread benefits the war but not the soldiers.
Remember Tilman. He was a hero but you can't just pat him on the back without taking on the system that screwed him.
peace
karl
Edit: Note that I've said my peace and the sentence that ya'll called me on was only a hint, much like the opposite hints above it supporting the war. I don't need to go on posting on this thread unless ya'll want to argue about it. Go on celebrating the sacrifice and the Seals if you like.
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Jody
Mountain climber
Templeton, CA
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Oct 22, 2007 - 04:42pm PT
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Like I said.
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