Let me clarify some things to you "Deputy."

I spent seven years in the UNITED STATES ARMY FIELD ARTILLERY defending her from all enemies foreign and domestic and your right to spew crap all over the place.

I smoke cigarettes, drink coffee, and wear quick-zip tactical boots when I am at work in the back of my ambulance. I don't wear a cowboy hat or chew tobacco.

I believe in peace through superior firepower. I also believe that when the shooting stops... that you should treat your enemy as a human being in the end. You shouldn't have to remind them every day that you've beaten them. It is a matter of record.

My grandfather died in 1980 as a result of inoperable shrapnel stuck in his spine having caused a systemic infection when it worked its way loose.

He was my hero mate... and I was ten years old.

He received that wound from a German land mine near Lyons France in 1944 when he served with the "T-Patchers"... the 36th Infantry division formerly based in Brownwood, Texas. He served in the North African, Sicilian, Italian, and Southern French campaigns. He was at Kesserine Pass, Salerno, Monte Cassino and other famous battles.

He was a cook until the Battle of San Pietro... where his battalion was OVERRUN the first time the Germans used four of the "new" the King Tigers against our guys... Those beasts were impervious to everything we had... and he picked up a bazooka and fired four times just to knock off a tread. I can only imagine the desparation that leads to such things.

He served out the rest of the war as an anti-tank platoon sargeant. He never talked about any of the other combats he was involved in... and believe me.. we asked... as shameless kids do.

My own research indicates his unit stayed in contact with the enemy for months at a time.

His Purple Heart medal holds a place of honor in our family.

Before and after the war, he didn't drink, smoke, swear, or tell lies. He went to church on Sundays and on Wednesday.

I tell you also, that if I manage to be 10% of the man he was... I can die happy.

I am a patriotic American... however "unpopular" that may be these days... and the swastica does not confuse me.

... and by all rights... maybe I could hold it against the Germans for taking my hero away.

... but you know what? They are human beings with limitations and faults just like anyone else. We killed them too... and I imagine there's lots of people in Germany who lost their grandfathers in WWII.

My Grandfather died as a result of defending your freedom to talk out of the side of your head. Your freedom to do exactly that... wasn't free. Your freedom of speech though, should end where the noses of others begin.

At the very least the Germans had the courage to put on a uniform and face us like men... which is more than I can say for the enemies our country faces today.

The swastika should never be banned. Banning the swastica would just make it too easy to forget all that happened when it was a common item in the world.

I think it would be great if kids now would see the swastica, asked questions about it... and spent at least a few minutes contemplating being in a cold watery foxhole, in the dark, surrounded by deafening noise, dead friends, and terrified to the point of near insanity.

Unfortunately, I think kids now couldn't care less.

Your attitude sucks... and you need to learn how to state your "opinions" without implying that someone who takes the opposite side of this argument with you is "Nazi friendly."

One last note... The next time you see a veteran... Say "thank you." It only takes a drop of courage to talk to someone you don't know for ten seconds.

You owe them.

Kpt. Lehmann: I don't know where that outburst came from. I thought everyone was having a pretty civil dialogue. Oh yeah...on the "next time you see a veteran... Say "thank you." thing....I'd just be talking to myself. And I'm not that crazy (yet).

Dep

C Company
2nd Battalion
60th Regiment
9th Infantry Divison (Old Reliables)
RVN 1968-69

Normally I don't like remembering that time of my life. But the Kpt needs to sit back and think about the BS HE is spouting.

Speaking of civil dialogue and the BS that Kpt. is spouting.

You even were kind enough to correct the spelling from 'Seig' to 'Sieg', just to make sure I´d get the message.

You even were kind enough to correct the spelling from 'Seig' to 'Sieg', just to make sure I´d get the message.[/quote]

It was a needle. Just like the one you stuck in me about the US LOSING the war in Viet Nam (which they DIDN'T). Like I said a few times already...if you dish it out you have to be able to take it.

Dep

Ok, then tell me. What was the outcome of Vietnam War? US sure didnt win it.

@Deputy
Apparently you didn't bother to read my whole post or you would understand where "my little outburst" comes from.

Until now, I've never shared those thoughts with anyone.

Though, I'm sure it was just "brainwashed fundamentalist bible-belt dribble" to you.

Sure, you've earned the right to your opinion. The problems are that you've taken this thread and made it your pulpit to preach from... force feeding your opinion right down everyone's throat without the slightest exploration of "understanding another person's point of view" or things like "basic respect" that you should grant every individual until they give you a real reason to lose it.

You've made personal attacks both directly and implied... and you are stating your opinion over and over with intent to convert everyone to your myopic point of view.

No wonder Americans are often viewed as arrogant and bombastic. You wave your freedom of speech like a flag to the damnation of all... without a care in the world of the consequences.

People like you start wars. The crap you spout is a part of the problem... not part of the solution.

There is a time for all things including war.

... but you must never forget that HERE you are part of a multinational community... You represent our country.

Your poor attitude is projected across thousands of miles to hundreds of people in many countries.

Just as your words touched a nerve in me that I thought I'd buried pretty well...

...Your words may also inspire someone to kill an American one day... simply because he or she is an American.

It is never too late to learn "thought before speech." There is always a price to pay for actions that are not well thought out. Unfortunately, it isn't always you that has to pay the price.

To everyone who´d helped to hijack the thread a big "Thank you"! :dead:

The US was completely gone in 1973. The war ended in 1975. The war was a battle between North Vietnam and South Vietnam. It was for the South Vietnamese to win or lose. When we started withdrawing in 1970 the Mekong Delta was completely free of the Viet Cong and the North Vietnamese were on the defensive. The South Vietnamese had to win the war, not us. Note that no US flag flew ANYWHERE in South Vietnam, except over the US embassy. The South Vietnamese didn't because they didn't have the dedication that the North Vietnamese had. We did all we could for them. They lost it...not us. I have no doubt if we withdraw from Iraq that country will go down the toilet just like Vietnam did. Civil war followed by Iran taking over is the likely outcome. Again...I was against the Iraq war from the day Bush got his "okey-doke" from the Congress to wage it. I support our troops...but not our President in that matter. Best bet is a division of the country into three states.

Kpt. Lehmann: Your bombastic speech was read in it's entirety. It was confused, obscure, and obtuse to say the least. I am less than impressed with an artillery background. Unless you were an FO with the troops in the front line, you didn't have to face the enemy up close and personal. THAT is defending the country in it's most down and dirty form. Pretty much everyone has a relative that died in some war. It isn't exclusive to you and it doesn't give your opinions more legitimacy than anyone else. You don't like my attitude...no problemo.
As far as my words inspiring someone to kill an American some day...gimme a break.
I don't think there is a large crowd of Islamic Jihadists on this forum. Let's leave the dramatics for the drama club. I think it's about time the "silent majority" of US citizens stood up for what they beleive is right. You want to play kissyface with those who hate us....be my guest. But when I see some nitwit call the US a terrorist state because we ended the war against Japan by nuking them...I gotta respond.

Dep

Phew boy ! Got that right ! :doh:

Refer to post #109. I think that's where things started going awry :)

Dep

... and out comes Deputy crusading for mom and apple pie! :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

Hey, you picked the fight with Dowly. You will no doubt keep spouting your trash and alienating everyone here no matter what anyone has to say.

Great job man. You corrected a guy in Finland about the U.S. involvement in Vietnam!

I don't recall Dowly ever mentioning to you that in the early days of the war... Finland stood against an invasion from the Soviet Union for WEEKS!!!

Apparently according to you not serving in Vietnam invalidates my service... and the same for any risk I deal with on a day to day basis. Its a good thing I don't have to grade my life using your criteria.

LOL, there is nothing confusing or obscure about my posts. I just don't pander to pseudo-intellectuals.

This is Subsim.com. Go find another community to walk on and rant to. You must have a sad little life if picking fights on these forums is the best thing you have to do.

"Silent MAJORITY" what a load of crap.

I agree 100 % with Kpt.Lehmann and I have finded only a word to define the "Deputy" words:

PATETIC

God can help us if in your country there a lot of people thinking like you.

Don't worry Danelov. Deputy only represents a minority that is screaming for attention.

Someone here should count all the "yes" or "no" opinions and post the tally.

I have my money on the "No its not too offensive" lot.

So, if the Germany would have got it´s nukes ready in time, it would have been ok to nuke the Britain, Soviet Union and USA to end the war?? Or are you saying that it´s ok to nuke people as long as USA is the one to do it?

I used to like this forum.

I think I'll just leave now.

Just to check;

<drops pencil> gravity works, world is still spinning
<opens window> sun is still shining
<takes deep breath> hmmm, fresh air




Bye and good luck to all of you. Have fun with the GAME.