Observations From Hadleyville: BROTHERS IN ARMS

Thursday, July 3, 2008

BROTHERS IN ARMS

Only two defining forces have ever offered
to die for you, Jesus Christ and the American Soldier
One died for your soul; The other for your freedom.

2 comments:

B said...: My only comment is this; The term "soldier" is, unfortunately, used universally for military personnel. Yet it's use is improper.

Many of our military personnel are not only proud to serve, but proud of who they serve for. So, I'll repeat myself, as I've done in ad nauseam.

Soldiers are Army personnel
Airmen are Air Force personnel
Sailors are Navy personnel
Marines are Marine Corps personnel.

Of the four major branches, the Marine is not considered a Marine until he/her has completed boot camp, thereby earning the title "Marine." The Marine Corps is the only branch that lends it's name to it's personnel.

What bugs me about this particular post is the picture shows a Marine Corps Staff Sergeant, and the caption says "American Soldier." The intent is honorable, but the honor, to a Marine, is tainted. The title which he earned, and proudly carries is overlooked.

Brian
U. S. Marine 1975-1981; July 10, 2008 at 3:15 PM
Don the Baptist said...: You are correct. I was lazy not to change the caption. Semper Fi! Marine.; July 12, 2008 at 6:12 PM

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WORDS OF WISDOM FOR WRITERS

The secret of becoming a writer is that you have to write. You have to write a lot. You also have to finish what you write, even though no one wants it yet. If you don't learn to finish your work, no one will ever want to see it. The biggest mistake new writers make is carrying around copies of unfinished work to inflict on their friends.

I am sure it has been done with less, but you should be prepared to write and throw away a million words of finished material. By finished, I mean completed, done, ready to submit, and written as well as you know how at the time you wrote it.
-Jerry Pournelle

WHAT'S THIS HADLEYVILLE THING?

Those of you familiar with Mark Twain’s works might recognize my blog title. As Samuel Clemons grew older, he became increasingly disillusioned with humanity. Towards the end he began referring to the Damned Human Race; employing the secular and religious epithet at one stroke.

I find I’ve not reached that level of despair myself. I still believe in redemption and I still see signs of nobility even among we fallen, damned creatures. So, I could not bring myself to call this blog “On the Damned Human Race.” I do however, resonate with another of Clemmons stories; “The Man That Corrupted Hadleyburg.” And viola, there you have it. “Observations From Hadleyville.”