On Veteran's Day...

Colleges & Universities Service Academy Parents
1

<p>For my brothers-in-arms; past, present, and future…</p>

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<p>Simultaneously proud and humble to be able to count myself among your ranks. God bless you all. :o</p>

<p>…and no, there is no need to thank me. It was my honor to serve, and to serve with folks like those described above.</p>

2

<p>Saaaaaaaaaaaaaaalute…</p>

<p>Ready Cut…</p>

<p>10 November 1775…Marine Corps Birthday</p>

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<p>Semper Fi, buddy. :)</p>

4

<p>UPDATE: FOX News to Air Significant War Story Episode, THE FURIOUS FIGHT FOR DONG HA Portraying Distinguished Graduate, Colonel John Ripley ’62, USMC (Ret.). </p>

<p>This episode is now scheduled to air on 12 November on the 24-hour cable channel Fox News Channel (not local Fox stations) at 8 p.m. Eastern Standard Time and will repeat at 11 p.m. EST.</p>

<p>Until then, please visit <a href=“http://www.foxfan.com%5B/url%5D”>www.foxfan.com</a>, in the ‘War Stories’ section you can watch a ‘behind the scenes’ video and see a photo essay of the making of this episode. Also, program information for this episode, and all War Stories episodes, at <a href=“http://www.foxnews.com/warstories[/url]”>www.foxnews.com/warstories</a>.</p>

5

<p>That man was beyond insane. The only reason he’s not sporting a MOH is because (IIRC) there weren’t enough witnesses to coroborate the story. </p>

<p>For those who don’t know the story, watch the special. It is simply unreal.</p>

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<p>Colonel Ripley has also received the Distinguished Graduate Award. :)</p>

<p>His story is definitely a Ripley’s “Believe It or Not” tale. :D</p>

7

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<p>Yep. Bloody well rates its own wing at the Ripley museum. :eek:</p>

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<p>John Walter Ripley (born 1939) is a retired United States Marine Corps officer who received the Navy Cross for his combat actions during Vietnam. On Easter morning 1972, Captain Ripley, while under intense enemy fire, blew up a bridge to stop a major invasion; the story of Ripley’s actions — “Ripley at the Bridge” — is legendary in the Marine Corps and is captured in a diorama at the United States Naval Academy.</p>

<p>In addition to the Navy Cross, his personal decorations include the Silver Star, two Legions of Merit, two Bronze Star Medals with Combat ‘V,’ the Purple Heart, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy Commendation Medal, and the Combat Action Ribbon. >> <em>source wikpedia</em></p>

<p>Looking forward to that Ollie North special on FOX news</p>

9

<p>The Fox News Special: THE FURIOUS FIGHT FOR DONG HA Portraying Distinguished Graduate, Colonel John Ripley ’62, USMC (Ret.) was great.</p>

<p>Ollie North interviewed Bill Heine '62 who had built the Dong Ha bridge in 1969 while assigned to NMCB 62 (Naval Mobile Construction Battalion). I actually worked for Bill Heine from 1992-94 when he was Commander, Reserve Naval Construction Force, Gulfport, MS. Bill retired as a Rear Admiral in 1995 from his position as Commander, Third Naval Construction Brigade, Norfolk, VA.</p>

<p>The bridge was built by a Seabee in 1969 and blown up by a Jarhead classmate three years later.</p>

10

<p>Published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch:</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.timesdispatch.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=RTD/MGArticle/RTD_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1149191467215[/url]”>http://www.timesdispatch.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=RTD/MGArticle/RTD_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1149191467215&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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11

<p>Memorial Hall has a very nice display about the amazing Ripley. You look at the diorama of the bridge and just marvel at what he did. It is what I remember most about our visit to Memorial Hall (that and the brick for Mark “Mo” Pohlmeyer, a shipmate of mine who was killed when a rookie pilot flew his A-7E up the exhaust of Mo’s A-7E).</p>

<p>I don’t enjoy reading/posting here too much anymore, but this is a very nice thread. Props to Mo and all the many others who gave their lives for our country. (Cue the Navy hymn, missing man formation flyover)</p>

12

<p>On a rather cold, rainy Saturday morning 11/11 at 11am I attended the funeral of a soldier I had never met that grew up not far from my farm.</p>

<p>SGt. CJ McClain of Colliers WV.</p>

<p>He was a Ranger assigned to the Army’s 3rd Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division.</p>

<p>Sgt McClain was killed by an IED detonated near his vehicle in Wygal Valley, Afghanistan on Oct. 31</p>

<p>The outpouring of patriotism along the 10 mile funeral procession route to the little country cemetary in Eldersville , PA was was incredible to say the least. American flags hung everywhere. Many flags were held by the locals standing tall with a salute.</p>

<p>Patriotism and support for our troops and fallen soldiers and marines is deep across the heartland.</p>

<p>The Patriotguard.org ( motorcycle escort and Flag honor guard ) did a tremendous job too for CJ McClain. What a great bunch of Americans.</p>