NEVER Show the Palm of your hand!
Members of the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing stand in a moment of silence, and I am sure some are in prayer, during a September 11th memorial service.
And it is important to recognize, once again, that our brothers in arms are taking the fight directly to those that hate us. They still remember that day, September 11th, when decent lives, a place of commerce and trade, and the peace we enjoy here at home came crashing to the ground. All because of a hatred, and the twisting of a religion, that in the end seeks Israel’s and our complete annihilation. It will not stop until we make it stop.
As MSgt. William Kaufmann sings the National Anthem (say the words to yourself, before continuing please) you can see everyone in solemn salute.
We all know that we may have dodged it in our days. You know, you slipped quickly into the car to miss taps, or end up somewhere on the flightline and not realize taps was being played. But, those days, in fact in my days, are far behind us now. No one, I wager, misses taps anymore!
And as these fine men from left to right, SSgt. Jason Ramirez, SrA. Daniel Utley, SSgt. Duane Nicol, and A1C Chris Dickerson, who are firefighters from the 386th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron, symbolically lay down firefighter gear, there is a palpable quiet.
No one is fidgeting or trying to bail. No one has forgotten why we are there. At least, no one in the 386th AEW has forgotten. There are men and women serving on the ground, in the air, and on the seas because we have taken back, our country. We shall not leave her, and as these 4 men had one fall out to symbolize a missing man formation, that missing man being a fallen firefighter. We often see a missing man flyby, but rarely will you see this poignant a missing man formation!
And, as taps is played, the Honor Guard is here to bring it all home.
This formation is one that needs to be seen and heard. More Americans need to understand that this honor is one that signifies the greatest price, one that has no boundary. Yet we all know that for us all to be free here at home, and for us all to remain free, that price is one a very few have paid. I say a very few because in relation to those that live here, in freedom, and pay nothing, there are those willing to carry your weight. There is no finer service than that paid by those that rush into danger to save another. And, there is no finer honor than those same that will also pay with their lives for us to be free.
Three volleys, and if you’ve heard the sound, you know how your insides thump every time a volley is fired.
Just a simple 21 rounds go off for those that have fallen. But that sound, that strength, and that conviction is what we all know keeps us free here at home. 21 rounds, people, just 21 rounds …
And, do you remember your training, as do I? Do you remember getting yelled at by your DI (drill instructor) for botching the whole thing? Did your DI scream at you at the top of their lungs? Do you remember what they told you? I bet these fine men and women still do!
Not one of these fine men and women would ever dream of showing their palm. There is code, there is honor, and there is bravery - no palms, ever! Refuse to succumb to those that do not know, or have forgotten, or cannot fathom, why the palm is never to be shown in salute.
I still grab my outseams during the National Anthem. I still stand ram-rod straight during her solemn pledge, our anthem. If I’m wearing a cover, I still salute …
WITHOUT EVER SHOWING MY PALM!!!
And I can give a friggin’ damn about the looks, so keep staring, ’cause we’re still out there!
God Bless and God Speed to all those before and after me. God Bless America. And God Bless the United States Military!
A hearty HOOAH to all of you coming from Stand-To! I’ve been very lucky, and graced, by the team at Stand-To! that have posted my articles! I am so glad that you are out there, fighting the fight, leading the teams, and takin’ it to ‘em! Come back whenever you want, and search for other stuff - I’ve got some US Army stuff here too, really! OK, so, I’m a total zoomie, but God Bless the US Military, and HOOAH!!!
TAGS: Fix4RSO, Milblog, Military, Salute, Patriotism, 9/11
September 12th, 2006 at 5:14
Perfect pictures….
September 12th, 2006 at 8:28
Thank you for sharing this.
p.s. - I’m moving.
September 12th, 2006 at 9:43
Zoomies do good sometimes…
September 13th, 2006 at 0:18
Laurie, you’re “bighting the bullet” and moving your site off to your own blog engine?! Congrats! And, check back with me at my e-mail if ya need some help or support. I’ll try my best!
Howdy Kelly! Thanks for dropping me a couple of kudos! I just popped back over to check up on you (your blog). YOU’VE BEEN WRITING A TON!!! Yikes, now I have to catch up!
Hey Fred! Thanks, Big Guy. I know _exactly_ how you are saying that, and your words, coming from an ex-USMC enlisted turned officer, says a bunch. I really appreciate the kudos!
September 13th, 2006 at 5:47
I’ve just been reading your blog for the first time. This post got me choked up.
I came here because of a comment you left on my blog about the little black terrier. I don’t know for sure if it is a Rat Terrier. Two years ago I had to euthanize my little black terrier, Rosie, because she was suffering. I did not know what she was when I adopted her from the pound but, according to a dog book that I had, she was an American Toy Terrier. I don’t care if they are called Rat Terriers or Toy Terriers. They are the smartest, funniest and most loyal dogs.
September 13th, 2006 at 8:10
Ya know Patrick, you’re right, they are dang smart dogs! Our little lady just keeps us laughing all the time. I’ll have to post a picture of her … for the dog lovers out there! Oh, and cat lovers, Taffy’s favorite buddy is our 14 year old mutt-cat Clemmie! My wife got her from the cat rescue moons ago, and she is almost like a Maine Coon (they’re bigger cats that’ll play fetch). In fact, they are close in their markings/coloring …
She, Taffy, is the best with our two daughters. We got Taffy as a puppy when our youngest was almost 3 years old. Taffy is sooo tolerant and just licks the both of them to death. She’ll sit, proudly, in their baby doll stroller, or dressed up in the whackiest outfits - Taffy will play with them no matter the level of humiliation!
Patrick, I’m sorry to hear that Rosie is no longer with you. When you have a pet like that, it is hard to see them go. And it is especially hard when you are used to them snuggling under the top blanket/comforter, curl up _VERY_ close to you, and go to sleep.
Thanks for dropping by my blog!
September 14th, 2006 at 4:02
And, do you remember your training, as do I? Do you remember getting yelled at by your DI (drill instructor) for botching the whole thing? Did your DI scream at you at the top of their lungs? Do you remember what they told you? I bet these fine men and women still do!
Do you remember your TI’s name? I do…TSgt Ellefritz. Mean little guy, he was. And it’s been 43 years since he yelled at me.
Great post, Steve!
September 14th, 2006 at 8:39
“Laurie, you’re “bighting the bullet” and moving your site off to your own blog engine?! Congrats!”
Not exactly, I’ve gone to the dark side….blogger. LOL!
September 14th, 2006 at 9:22
Hey Buck, I do remember: TSgt. Smith (TI) and SSgt. Serdinia (DI), FLT 586, 3711th BMTS, NOV 1981 …. SSgt Serdinia was quite, clear, how to salute. She was _TOUGH_ and made sure we knew that the salute wasn’t just something you “do”, it says who you are and who we all are. And, it is a sign of respect to those before us, to one another, to our leaders, to our subordinates, and ultimately those who shall come after us.
And not ONE of us were ready to disrespect her. She took over our flight about half the way though our training. We all bonded even tighter because she was left alone to train us all, by herself.
I can still see the brim of her hat !
When she yelled she was clear, when she talked she commanded attention.
She made me a better airman, and later a leader …
September 14th, 2006 at 9:28
Hey Laurie! Well, as long as you can keep a handle on all that spam crap, I hope things go smoothly! Again, if you need help, I still have a blogger account, and Buck uses blogger too. I’m sure that ex-computer dude would lend a hand, too …
September 14th, 2006 at 9:40
Very moving post, thank you for sharing
September 14th, 2006 at 11:49
Good post, Brother.
I too, stand straight and tall, heels together, and very quiet during our national anthem. I have even been known to shed a tear during the salute.
Once again, good post!
Go Navy!
gawfer
September 14th, 2006 at 14:14
I do remember: TSgt. Smith (TI) and SSgt. Serdinia (DI), FLT 586, 3711th BMTS…
Got me there, Steve. I haven’t a CLUE about Flight, squadron, etc. And you had a LADY DI? My, how things did change!
We didn’t have DIs in the wayback, either. They were all “TIs.” And they were to be feared…
September 16th, 2006 at 19:32
Wonderful post!! Thanks for sharing the pics.
I was fortunate to see my daughter at TAPS - I was bringing her back to her barracks when I was out visiting her and just as she was running up the sidewalk, TAPS started and that newbie soldier of mine stopped dead in her tracks and saluted the flag - no palm! I just sat in the car and cried proud tears.
And I don’t think she will ever forget her DI’s names - heh!
September 16th, 2006 at 19:45
[…] (h/t Fix 4 RSO)Then go and read his 9/11 post this came from. […]