Labels: Comrades-in-Arms, Marine Corps, Troop Support, Unapologetic Americanism

This is an aptly named episode of NCIS from season II, where an aging marine is convinced that he has murdered his best friend. He's even nice enough to bring them the murder weapon. In a cruel twist of fate, the onset of Alzheimers is wreaking havoc on Cpl. Yost's memories. It turns out that he is suffering from PTSD, that is triggered by survivors guilt, over the recent death of his wife.

This story was so well written, and is so touching, that it gives the viewer a lot to consider. I am always amazed at the reverant reaction of anyone who see's 'the medal'. The 'Honor Guard' at the cemetary is another touching scene. The scene of him dancing with Kate is one of the most heartfelt scenes that i have ever seen on this show.

This episode is by far my favorite. It entwines so many many different subjects into a heartbreaking yet beautiful story.


PART I











PART II










NOTE: Charles Durning, the actor whom plays 'Cpl. Yost' is a very highly decorated veteran of WW2. He also was nominated for an Emmy (Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series) for this performance.

Labels: Comrades-in-Arms, Heroes, Marine Corps, WWII

*Update to a previous post*

Eleven days after his emotional reunion with a Filipino man who helped save his life during World War II, American veteran James Carrington died quietly Sunday at the Destrehan nursing home where he resided. He was 88.












James Carrington during World War II



One of thousands of American and Filipino soldiers imprisoned by the Japanese after the fall of the island of Corregidor, Mr. Carrington, a Marine who grew up in New Orleans, escaped from the notorious Bilibid Prison and was given refuge by a group of Filipinos in a passing horse cart.

He later help lead guerrilla fighters based in a mountain hideout who created havoc for the Japanese military before American forces retook the Philippines.

Mr. Carrington's son, James Carrington Jr., said he believes his father rallied in recent weeks to stay alive for a Thanksgiving week visit from Jesus Gonzalez, a native of the Philippines now living in Vancouver.

"It took every bit of strength he had," the veteran's son said. "It kept him alive, in my opinion. That's all he was looking forward to."

Mr. Carrington had visited with Jesus and Valerie Gonzalez, along with immediate members of his own family, for a few days prior to Thanksgiving Day. He died Sunday morning at the Ormond Nursing and Care Center.

"I'm very glad that we made the effort to go and see him," Jesus Gonzalez said Monday from Canada. "I didn't expect that it would be the last one with him. It was such a joyful moment with me to have met him at last after all those years. I'll see him again somewhere, somehow, up in heaven perhaps. He was a great man. He did a great service to the United States and to the Philippines."








resquiat en pace

Labels: Comrades-in-Arms, Heroes, Marine Corps, WWII

The Marine Corps is on pace to expand its force by tens of thousands more than two years ahead of schedule, a rare bit of good news for a military stretched thin by the long wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Senior commanders once estimated the growth to 202,000 Marines from 175,000 would take until 2011, but they now hope to reach the target in early 2009.

Marine officials hope their recruiting success -- which they attribute primarily to marketing and advertising -- will give them a leg up in political battles over Democratic moves to cut defense spending and halt the growth of the armed forces. "It would not be a question of stopping us before we get to 202,000. It would mean reducing the force," said Maj. Gen. Robert Milstead, who runs the Marine recruiting command.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates, who is keeping his post under President-elect Barack Obama, announced plans last year to add 65,000 soldiers and 27,000 Marines by 2011 to ease manpower strains. President George W. Bush endorsed the idea. But in recent weeks, Pennsylvania Democratic Rep. John Murtha, a central player on defense-budget issues, surprised Pentagon officials by asserting that the expansion plans need to be scaled back or canceled.



Mr. Murtha, a Marine veteran, said in a recent interview that money slated for more troops should instead go to repairing equipment worn down by the long wars, taking care of existing troops and buying weapons systems.

Aides say Mr. Gates is sticking to his pro-expansion position, meaning the issue could become an early test of whether defense policy will be set by Congress or by the executive branch in the Obama administration.

The rest of the story ...

Labels: Marine Corps, Murtha

What an amazing story.

Jesus Gonzalez, left, now 76, is reunited with James Carrington, right, at the Ormond Nursing and Care Center in Destrehan, La. Monday, November, 24, 2008 for the first time since saving his life in 1944.


If their adventures were written into a book, I think it could be made into one heck of a movie!

After 65 yrs. there is finally some closure to their 'war' ...

You must go read the full story for yourself, my historical fascination with the Marine Corps campaign in the Philippine Islands has been filled like no Thanksgiving dinner could ever begin to fill. My hat is off to both of these men, whom know the true meaning of Liberty.

H/T to NOLA.com

Labels: Comrades-in-Arms, Heroes, Marine Corps, WWII