Why We Fight — The Soldiers’ Stories
With this year’s Memorial Day Weekend upon us, CaliforniaConservative.org is very proud to announce the launch of an ongoing special military series called Why We Fight — The Soldiers’ Stories, and we are currently seeking entries.
Our goal is to present candid stories, from the soldiers, about what inspired them to serve. “I maintain that it takes something extra inside to enlist for service, even if those in the service aren’t aware that they possess it!”, says Craig L. Sanders, USAF and co-founder of the series. “So these tales will hopefully enlighten the public on our feelings as we fight to defend their freedom.”
We’re initiating a bi-weekly series featuring stories from today’s military men and women. In fact, those who have already retired or no longer in active duty are also welcome to share! Here are some of the things we’d like you to share with our readers:
- What inspired you to serve?
- What amazing stories can you recall of military life?
- What challenges have you encountered and/or overcome?
- What does your service mean to you?
Really, anything related to your service or former service — we want to hear about it!
Unless the author requests otherwise, our editorial policy in attributing stories is to use first names only (or an alias if you’d prefer), military rank, and reference to city/state. We will read and take every entry into consideration, but cannot guarantee that all stories will get published.
Once the submissions start rolling in, every weekend we’ll post a story, highlighting the commitment that our fighting men and women give to this great nation. Essays do not have to be political, just personal. We want to hear about your experience!
Check our category We We Fight for weekly/bi-weekly updates. As the first example, read Craig’s personal story here.
We hope hear from many of you serving around the world. You already have our appreciation and admiration for the work that you do. Please share your stories with the public and those who want to know more about those who protect our nation.
As an exclusive feature, we’ve established ReportingForDuty.org as a direct link to our new series.
Email your stories to entries@reportingforduty.org or click here to submit your entry. Please tell others who may be interested in participating. Take our logo. Spread the word!
We will post ALL stories received for our Memorial Day Weekend tribute!
UPDATE:
Consider subscribing to our feed, and get our latest posts delivered.
See our Open Post: Memorial Day Tribute
May 26th, 2006 at 8:34 pm
On the UPDATE, I must say I find all these ‘tell us your war story’ blandishments revolting. How the fuck stupid do you think we are. I say we because I served. I am not a combat veteran but I spent plenty of time sleeping on a cot in Bosnia (putting myself on a trajectory to go there long before we knew it would turn out so well), flying P-3 missions and other things way to bitchin to talk about. I had a blast. I did it to serve my country (gratitdude), to see something different, for the steady work and 30 days leave per year. But what I didn’t do it for is that the Rich Lowry’s, Jonah Goldbergs, William Krystols, Bill Bennets, Hugh Hewitts and the other neocon girlee boys could tell me how cool I am. They remind me of those pathetic kids in high school that didn’t play sports yet always refered to the teams’ accomplishments in the first person plural.
You REMF neocon wannabees want to get some vicarious military jollies, get it from someone else. You want to help out — be a man and enlist.
May 26th, 2006 at 9:43 pm
Um, okay, ex-sailor. Thanks for the feeback about your, um, “bitchin’” missions flying P-3s, when you were drydocked. But evidently you didn’t observe that USAF in Craig Sanders’ title stands for Air Force, and he’s the guy leading this mission to honor our troops.
May 26th, 2006 at 10:57 pm
Isn’t neocon girlee boys a perfect description of Hillary as well. She supported the war by vote from Day-one and still does. In fact many Demorats do. Funny how it was a demorat, Clinton who made the first pre-emptive strike on a foreign country in U.S. History. That guaranteed him as the first neo-Con of America in my book.
May 27th, 2006 at 3:22 pm
Remember
[This was originally posted on Friday, but is being bumped up for Memorial Day weekend. ] This weekend, in the middle of your cookouts and family trips and other holiday events, don’t forget to stop and remember those we honor…
May 28th, 2006 at 4:28 am
I think that enlisting in the North Carolina National Guard was one of the best decisions I ever made. Though I often found the weekend drills to be dull (I was in an artillery brigade HHB), the soldiers in my section were some of the finest men I’ve ever known. I recall my sergeant major, Thomas Starnes, with special fondness and respect. A true Christian gentleman, he never swore or lost his temper, but had the innate moral authority such that a look of disappointment and an “Awww, jimminy christmas, fellas!” when somebody fouled up was a more effective dressing-down than a twenty minute rant of threats and swearing. He was a man who really believed in putting his mission and men before himself.
Funny story: During my first AT, when I was a shiny-new PFC, the battery commander decided to stage a mock attack on the battery in the middle of the night. I was sitting in the TOC trying to keep myself awake when I heard a quick rustle of canvas followed by a BANG! and a loud hissing. I immediately grabbed my mask and donned it, saving myself from getting more than a wiff of the CS which quickly and completely filled the TOC. The officers weren’t so lucky; none of them were even carrying their masks (in violation of SOP).
The S-3, who was off-duty, was especially unfortunate. The “aggressors” tossed a CS grenade right into his tent, which caught fire while he struggled to get the zipper of his sleeping bag open! Needless to say, he had a quiet talk with the battery commander a little later…
May 28th, 2006 at 9:10 am
Memorial Day Weekend Linkfest
As you enjoy the long weekend with family, cookouts, and beer….take time to remember what the Holiday stands for. Take some time to honor those that have fallen for our freedom.
Here at Stop The ACLU we are urging you to get involved to save t…
May 28th, 2006 at 6:47 pm
Calm the hell down, ex-Sailor. Drink a beer err something.
I wanted to jump from planes before I got too old. I don’t think the reasons for ones initial enlistment are nearly as important as the reasons for staying in, or the regrets after getting out (for whatever reason). I miss the camaraderie among all races and backgrounds. I miss the rush of the jet exhaust hitting your face as you jump from a c-141 in the black sky. I miss the painful blisters on the bottoms of my feet after a 20 mile march with full battle rattle. I miss the suspenseful times of being on call for a real mission within an hours notice. I miss the dew in the air on an early morning run. I miss the smell of kiwi mixed with copenhagen spit. I miss the great times with friends in the barracks and in the field (and the bad times). I miss it…
Thanks to all those currently serving and to those that have served,
-Eric
May 29th, 2006 at 11:21 am
Notice that there wasn’t a hint of partisan politics in the post, the series or this thread until “ex-sailor” came along to gripe about “neocon girlee boys.”
There’s something wrong with people who can’t turn off the politics, ever.
May 31st, 2006 at 9:55 pm
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