SSG Geezer

Join Date 08/2004

When the War Really Started

Old Photos, Memories and Eulogies

I was going though some old photos from my years in the Marine Corps recently and I found
pictures from a deployment in 1982 with TOW Company, 2nd Tank battalion, 2nd MARDIV.
I looked at all of us clowning around and posing for snapshots "on Muscle beach" which was
found wherever there was space between the racks. These photos and finding notes from
a speech class where I wrote and read a eulogy made me do some serious thinking about
our nation, and the war we are only now finally dealing with.

To many people the war on terror truly began with the horrors of a day that will forever be
known as just 9/11, but for me it truly began a long time prior to that. 9/11 is a day that is
indelibly etched into my memory but as I look at these pictures and my notes some older
ones come sharply into focus once again.

It was early in the morning after closing the liquor store I was managing after finishing my
hitch in the Corps; I turned on my television to some news channel and what do I see but
a report on the Marines in Beirut, Lebanon suffering an attack by a truck bomb. I was
glued to the screen as I thought about who I might have known as the death toll climbed
higher and higher with every news break. I knew there were probably at least a few guys
that I knew at the airport and barracks there. When my sister called me the next day and
the barracks attack came up she stated "we are all so glad you are out of the Marine's now."
I admit with shame that there was a part of me that felt the same way even as my anger
grew in proportion to the rising casualty numbers.

The following weekend I went to work and after opening up the store, I picked up the New
York Times to read the news. Then I reached page seven and saw a face from the past
on the top of the page. It was One of the guys from "Muscle Beach", Guillermo.
In the photo he is shown sitting down petting a dog that the marines had adopted. The
caption said that he had died of his wounds while he was being evacuated to the hospital.
I was hit hard by the news not because we were best friends or anything close, but because
it just made no sense at all for him to have been the one who died. I knew in my head that
there were a lot of good Marines, Sailors, and Soldiers killed but all I could think was "Hey
not Pedro!"

There were quotes from his parents in the paper stating that they were saddened but still
very, very proud of their son and his service to his nation. I felt very sad for them and they
seemed like nice folks who's lives had just been turned upside down.

Now in reflection I see that he was just giving back to the United States the courage and
faith his parents had shown in this country when they escaped a despotic regime to start
their lives all over in Florida. I do remember that he always had a great deal of respect for his
folks, and the dignity they showed in their comments during a painful time to an intrusive
reporter only prove it.

I don't remember why I chose to do a eulogy for Pedro when I was in a speech class at
Ft. Lewis 12 years after his death, but I found out that trying to bring some meaning to a
persons death is much more difficult than it appears. I found out that it is hard to maintain
your composure even 12 years after the fact. Even now I find that this is a difficult blog
to write, and I am not standing in front of you.

I remember Pedro's sense of humor most of all; I think that when you serve with someone
it is the funny times that you most want to remember.

As I read the names of the 241 servicemembers who were killed I recognize more
than Pedro, but he is the one who I will not allow myself to forget.
I won't, And I won't let those who serve with me now forget.

Guillermo SanPedro Jr.~ Killed 23 October, 1983

Link Later that day, A picture that says a lot. Link

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Wow, SSG . . . you made me cry. Thank you so much for sharing this. I was not even in school yet when this happened, but I have read about it briefly in one article or another. So many things, and so many people, get overlooked and forgotten with the passing of time. Thank you for remembering.

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Awesome post, but I'm glad you're not a marine anymore too...otherwise you wouldn't be in our unit instead.

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Thanks for the comments guys, It really was a hard one to do. Iguess time really isn't that much of a help.

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kingbee

Join Date 04/2004

+42

very insightful post. thanks for sharing.

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Thanks.

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Thank you for helping us see the real, human side of things. We don't see enough of that. I for one, am glad my husband gets to work with people like you.

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Thanks for sharing this. It means a lot.

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Geezer:

Wonderful post. It needs to be said and nobody could say it better than you.

I remember that bombing, it was the year I graduated High School. I joined the military two years later.The enemy of our country was clear but the American public didn't respond accordingly because it hadn't come to the homeland. I was diappointed htat Reagan didn't respond as he had in Tripoli but there were of course diplopatic considerations. But it all changed when it came to our own shores.

The embassies in Kenya, the USS Cole, the list goes on. We didn't do anything about it until now. And as we sit here at our keyboards it is good to be reminded of the good people that we, and you, have known that have encountered these evil bastards and made a sacrifice. You included.

Mac

PS I have written many posts on my last site about lost friends. They are the hardest but most important to write.

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Very nice Geezer. Your best to date I would say.

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I appreciate the comments from all of you.
I am somewhat puzzled that the liberals who occasionally visit my blog haven't commented. Present company excepted KB and LifeHappens. I just wanted people to know where I was coming from on my whole Global War on Terrorism outlook.
If I can get it scanned in I will post the Muscle Beach photo. (Cat saw it last night)

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If I can get it scanned in I will post the Muscle Beach photo.

That would be great. I hope to see it soon! I dig Army Huah (or in this case Marine Hoorah) Pics!

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SSG Geezer,

Thanks for sharing the human side of war and death. I was really quite moved by your words and it makes me feel sad for those that have died but also a sense of relief as compassion, kindness and respect will always shine through....thankyou, SSG Geezer.

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I am somewhat puzzled that the liberals who occasionally visit my blog haven't commented

It's because we dont know what to say.

I can't say enough how much respect I have for those in the armed forces. The blog with the picture, it really tore the heart strings, and no matter how much 'liberals' appear against US foreign policy, it takes nothing away from the respect that you and your comrades deserve.

I minced that signifigantly, you know why I didn't comment now - and maybe I shouldn't have, but now you know how I feel.

BAM!!!

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And Muggaz gets an Insightful from me... strange, but I think the Geez's sincere and poignant story may bring out the sentimental in all of us. Know that I've read this twice, and read portions of it to my wife... a fine article.

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It is always hard to know what to say in the face of death, which I guess is why most of us drag out old cliches that do more for the speaker than the person they meant to comfort.

I am no different, so I will just say my thoughts and sympathies are with you, and hope you understand the sincerity of the intent, although the sentiment itself is tired.

I know I'm probably considered a liberal (I dont really consider myself anything to be honest) but as Muggaz said I do have enormous respect and sympathy for those who are prepared to give their lives for their country, whether I agree with the cause or not.

I'm sure it was hard, but thankyou for writing this. I could do with learning some compassion.

with love, Dyl xx

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This was truly an excellent post! Thank you for bringing me back here.

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