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June 29, 2010
Rolling Thunder 2010 - A Marine's Vigil
A solitary Marine holds vigil at full attention during the Rolling Thunder motorcycle rally in tribute to fallen comrades.
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Taken from .....
In the Company of the Brave
By Kit Jarrell
I had heard of a Marine who stands in the median and salutes as all the bikes go by. I needed to see this for myself, and when I asked someone about it they said, "The Marine? He's right down there. Just go around this way and down to the corner."
I ran.
It's silly now to think of, but somehow I was afraid he wouldn't be there anymore if I moved slowly, if I took my time walking down there. I should have known better. The Marines never just quit.
As I drew closer to the corner the crowd thickened considerably, and yet everyone moved when I asked to get by. "I need to see the Marine," I would say, and the others would nod and let me pass. They understood.
Finally I stood in the best place I could, and there he was, saluting proudly, wearing his dress blues, medals glinting in the sun. He looked like a lion there, regally standing, ever vigilant. His face was lined with the memories of conflict, but his eyes were those of a resolute warrior. His arm never faltered and his feet never moved, even though standing in the heat and sun must have been incredibly draining. For 45 minutes he stood there with his fingers at his brow - statuesque, a testament to the stamina, the fortitude, and the selflessness of the Marine Corps.
I kept taking pictures until the tears blurred my eyes. My heart simply broke as I watched veteran after veteran ride by this man and salute him back. All these men have given so much, for so long. Everything washed over me then, and I cried for it all: their missing limbs and loved ones, their nightmares and tragedies, their tiny homes underneath white stone at Arlington. They gave themselves, and sometimes lost everything, but in their sacrifice we stand here today, more free than any people on earth. I could not ever repay them. None of us could.
I finish writing this as I sit on my couch in Tulsa, with my little boy playing outside safely and John Wayne leading Marine pilots into battle on the TV. I am blessed, for I live in the company of the brave.
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Wild Thing's comment.........
SSgt. Tim Chambers is stationed in Camp Pendleton and has been saluting the riders of Rolling Thunder for six years. He pays his own way to DC each Memorial Day weekend.
SSgt. Tim Chambers can be reached HERE......
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....Thank you Mark for sending this to me.
Mark
3rd Mar.Div. 1st Battalion 9th Marine Regiment
1/9 Marines aka The Walking Dead
VN 66-67
Posted by Wild Thing at June 29, 2010 05:49 AM
Comments
Very, very impressive. SSgt Chambers epitomizes what the American military spirit is all about. I return his salute.
Posted by: TomR, armed in Texas at June 29, 2010 10:26 AM
This is off subject but you might enjoy it.
Posted by: BobF at June 29, 2010 12:55 PM
Tom, well said he sure does.
BobF., LOL I love it, thank you. heh heh
Posted by: Wild Thing at June 29, 2010 04:18 PM
Bob that was great.
Posted by: Mark at June 29, 2010 10:00 PM
