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bluering

Trad climber
Santa Clara, Ca.
Topic Author's Original Post - Oct 22, 2007 - 03:05pm PT
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.

UncleDoug

Social climber
N. lake Tahoe
Oct 22, 2007 - 03:18pm PT
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.
Tomcat

Trad climber
Chatham N.H.
Oct 22, 2007 - 03:20pm PT
Can do !
Gene

climber
Oct 22, 2007 - 03:20pm PT
Today the parents of Lt. Michael P. Murphy, a Navy SEAL, received his posthumous Medal of Honor for his actions in Afghanistan. The link is to a profile of Murphy in the NY Times.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/22/us/22medal.html?_r=1&th=&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&emc=th&adxnnlx=1193080555-9QBWYw78BIVI7ErfkjDTTw

I request we keep our comments and opinions of the war off this thread.

GM


bluering

Trad climber
Santa Clara, Ca.
Topic Author's Reply - Oct 22, 2007 - 03:26pm PT
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.
UncleDoug

Social climber
N. lake Tahoe
Oct 22, 2007 - 03:27pm PT
"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.
Gene

climber
Oct 22, 2007 - 03:33pm PT
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
Salathiel

Trad climber
South Beach, FL
Oct 22, 2007 - 04:15pm PT
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
Bart Fay

Social climber
Redlands, CA
Oct 22, 2007 - 04:37pm PT
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.
UncleDoug

Social climber
N. lake Tahoe
Oct 22, 2007 - 05:34pm PT
Gene,

Agreed!
Karl Baba

Trad climber
Yosemite, Ca
Oct 22, 2007 - 05:50pm PT
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
Bart Fay

Social climber
Redlands, CA
Oct 22, 2007 - 07:22pm PT
>>>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 ?
Karl Baba

Trad climber
Yosemite, Ca
Oct 22, 2007 - 07:36pm PT
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
T Moses

Trad climber
Paso Robles
Oct 22, 2007 - 07:38pm PT
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!
Karl Baba

Trad climber
Yosemite, Ca
Oct 22, 2007 - 07:41pm PT
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.
T Moses

Trad climber
Paso Robles
Oct 22, 2007 - 07:47pm PT
Karl,
Hmmm....fer a smart feller you seemed to have missed the point.

Jody,
If you want to borrow it I might be able to arrange it. Excellent book.
Chiloe

Trad climber
Lee, NH
Oct 22, 2007 - 08:04pm PT
Drifting back towards Bluering's original theme, here's another photo from the wayback machine. 1991 this time and you all know where. Fellow on right is criminology prof Alex Alvarez, center is The Doctor back when I just knew him as Dave; left is Navy SEAL Dave Lockett, a swell guy & partner who certified both of my young kids in scuba.

randomtask

climber
North fork, CA
Oct 22, 2007 - 08:20pm PT
I think Karl Baba is making a good point...supporting troops and supporting a war aren't always the same thing.

I think SEALs are bad asses. What they do is incredible and they deserve every ounce of honor we can give them. Karl isn't demeaning them or any other soldiers. WTF is wrong with what he said?? Except SEALs is spelled SEALs, not Seals.

In fresno there is a house that has "I support my country right or wrong" spray painted on it. Is there only black and white in this thread as well??
-JR
Gene

climber
Oct 22, 2007 - 09:02pm PT
Random,

"I think Karl Baba is making a good point...supporting troops and supporting a war aren't always the same thing."

Why don't you go back and read the majority of the posts in this thread.

Gene
Shack

Big Wall climber
Reno NV
Oct 22, 2007 - 09:56pm PT
Most of you guys have no idea what SEALs do or are capable of.
I have a friend that I worked with for 15 years who graduated from one of the first BUDs classes in the 60's as a sniper, then spent 2 tours in Nam.

You would absolutely not believe some of the things they had to endure.

Did you know that when you have to crawl 200 yards through elephant grass, with VC mere feet away, it can take days to crawl that distance...and guess what, if you've got to take a sh#t, you do it in your pants or risk detection.
That's what it takes some times to get the shot, when the target is a very well protected officer.


That's hardcore.


Much respect to the SEALs.
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