Subject: Fw: Marines want this ALL OVER THE NET, PLEASE Forward it

This is really good and needs to be sent on.

THE UNITED STATES NAVY SALUTES OUR U.S. .. MARINE CORPS.... 

Please don't delete this until you send it on, Let’s send it around the world.

THE MARINES WANT THIS TO ROLL ALL OVER THE U.S. , Canada and The World.

FRIENDS ARE BORN, NOT MADE

This is a poem being sent from a Marine To his Dad. For those who take the time to read it, you’ll see a letter from him to his dad at the bottom. It makes you truly thankful for not only the Marines, but ALL of our troops.

THE MARINE 

We all came together,

Both young and old

To fight for our freedom,

To stand and be bold.

In the midst of all evil,

We stand our ground,

And we protect our country

From all terror around...

Peace and not war,

Is what some people say.

But I'll give my life,

So you can live the American way.

I give you the right

To talk of your peace.

To stand in your groups,

And protest in our streets.

But still I fight on,

I don't bitch, I don't whine.

I'm just one of the people

Who is doing your time.

I'm harder than nails,

Stronger than any machine.

I'm the immortal soldier,

I'm a U.S. MARINE!

So stand in my shoes,

And leave from your home.

Fight for the people who hate you,

With the protests they've shown.

Fight for the stranger,

Fight for the young.

So they all may have,

The greatest freedom you've won.

Fight for the sick,

Fight for the poor.

Fight for the cripple,

Who lives next door.

But when your time comes, 

Do what I've done. 

For if you stand up for freedom, 

You'll stand when the fight's done

By: Corporal Aaron M. Gilbert , US Marine Corps
USS SAIPAN, PERSIAN GULF

July 23
Hey Dad,
Do me a favor and label this 'The Marine' and send it to everybody on your email list. Even leave this letter in it. I want this rolling all over the US and Canada and The World. I want every home reading it. Every eye seeing it. And every heart to feel it. So can you please send this for me? I would but my email time isn't that long and I don't have much time anyway.
You know what Dad? I wondered what it would be like to truly understand what JFK said in his inaugural speech. 'When the time comes to lay down my life for my country, I do not cower from this responsibility. I welcome it. ' Well, now I know. And I do... Dad, I welcome the opportunity to do what I do. Even though I have left behind a beautiful wife, and I will miss the birth of our first born child, I would do it 70 times over to fight for the place that God has made for my home. I love you all and I miss you very much. I wish I could be there when Sandi has our baby, but tell her that I love her, and Lord willing, I will be coming home soon. Give Mom a great big hug from me and give one to yourself too.
Aaron
Please let this marine (and all our military)know we care by passing his poem onto your friends even if you don't usually take time to forward mail...do it this time!
Thanks,
Let's help Aaron's dad spread the word .......FREEDOM isn't FREE
Someone pays for you and me.

 

God bless you!

____________________

Forwarded to me via email -Waz

ONE down and THIRTY-SIX (or more) to go

Darla and I paying our respects to Bill Hansen, Revere, MA. May 27, 2012

I made it through my trip to the USS STARK memorial. It was filled with all kinds of emotions. Best of all it was great to see some of my STARK mates from 25 years past. I have put some of my reunion pictures up on my Facebook page InWazWeTrust.

After following in the wake of the USS STARK's 25th Memorial Dinner and Ceremony held at Ocean Breeze on Mayport Naval Station, Florida on May 16, 2012. I now have (for the first time) a bucket-list (life-goal) to accomplish. 

I want to find and visit the hometown sites that have made memorial's to my STARK brothers that were

Killed in Action.

This Memorial Day Weekend I visited the street named after Bill Hansen in Revere, MA. Many thanks to Robert Hansen for feeding me that information through Facebook.

While I was there, I spoke with a gentleman that was walking his dog and he remembered the Hansen family. He also thought there use to be a sign posted next to the street sign honoring Bill. I looked high and low and it sadden me that I could not find a memorial plaque for him. 

I will remember you!

FC3 Bill Hansen (playing white guitar), KIA on May 17, 1987. The USS STARK band, Poison Squirrels from Hell.

I have completed 1 of 37, so please help me complete my goal. If you know of any USS STARK memorial sites across this country please forward that information to me. I will combined a list of them.

If only I could have told myself...

I had the same dream again last night as I did the night before. The dream-fairy has been working over-time on me lately. Which I find odd, because I usually don't sleep well enough to dream. When I do dream its usually, a much more violent-type nightmare that I don't remember, causing me to wake-up in a cold, wet, pillow-soaked puddle.

This dream was more peaceful and again I find it odd because its not the "normal" for me. Having the same dream over again and actually remembering it is very fascinating to me. Last night's dream was just a little more clearer the second time than what I remember from the first. I actually found myself wanting to go back to sleep and replaying it, to see what else comes to light.

The location was "someplace", USA. I don't know where this place was but it was a very rural-isolated location. It was warm, not hot, just comfortably-pleasant. The sun was out and there were lots of green trees all around, small patches of grass that looked freshly mowed and well maintained. There was no one else in my dream, it was just me and I was content with that.
In this dream, I could see myself, as myself, as I am today. A fat middle-aged man driving down a countryside back-road. The car or maybe it was a small light-weight pickup truck; I'm not sure if it was a car or truck, but it was white and clean. I was driving with both the drivers window and passenger window open and there was absolutely no wind noise as I drove. I don't know where I was heading or for how long, it was just a feeling that I had to keeping going forward.

Ahead in the distance, I could see up-coming railroad tracks and a right-handed bend in the road. In the meander of the turn, off to right, was a very old-looking deteriorated wooded shed. Maybe a train station at one time but long since made useless.

As I slowed down to cross-over the railroad tracks, I saw a young man standing tall, waiting near this rotted shed. I came to a complete stop to look at this person. He was young and in good shape, he was wearing his navy dress uniform (I don't remember if he was wearing his white or service dress blues). He was just standing there, determined to wait, STANDING! not at attention but not relaxed either. just-waiting, as if something was going to happen at any moment. In the background, just over-the-head of where he was standing, hanging on the old building was a sign that read "Wait Here" or "Waiting Station" (I'm not sure which but I think you get the point).

I could see a medal pinned to his chest and I could read something attached to his uniform sleeve, it read USS STARK (FFG-31). Seeing his unit patch made me very interested in this person. I didn't feel scared but somewhat in-reserves of approaching him. Did I know him? Who was he? What was he doing out here in nowhere all alone? I think what I wanted to know the most was What was he waiting for!

Old me decides to walk-up and ask this young sailor "What are you waiting for" The young man replied, "I'm waiting for the USS STARK". That's when I realized I was talking to myself and woke-up.

Tomorrow, I leave for Florida and I'm feeling anxious and nervous about the STARK memorial reunion. I think I need to just keeping going forward.

Hopes for a STARK Memorial Wall

I would very much like to share some information about the potential of a STARK Memorial for the USS STARK Sailors that perished on May 17th 1987. I lack the depths to explain in words the importance this would mean to me and my other STARK shipmates. Please see the letter below and help me get this information out to the Primary Next of Kin. I would be honored to help assist with this project.

Most Respectfully,
Mark Wasnock, SCPO, USN(Ret.)

The below information is from the Facebook Group USS STARK

Good Afternoon,

My Name is Dion Beauchamp and I have been working with Tony Ross to develop a plan to make the STARK Memorial Wall a reality.

It seems Tony and I have put the cart before the horse in regard to the idea of the STARK Memorial Wall. To make this memorial a reality, we need 19 of the 37 Primary Next of Kin (PNOK) to agree to a STARK Memorial Wall. (All 37 if possible) before we can be taken seriously. If you know of a USS STARK Association that already exists please forward me the contact information.

If there is not currently a USS STARK association, I would like each of you on this email to contact the PNOK of a Patriot Shipmate who perished May 17th 1987, and forward them my contact information. I need the PNOK to contact me with their relationship to the fallen shipmate and whether or not they agree to the STARK Memorial Wall Concept and if they agree to have their family members picture on the Wall. (This must be in a letter format)

Tony has done a great deal of work and research to the feasibility and cost of a STARK Memorial Wall, However, we simply cannot proceed without the PNOK support.

I am not contacting you as the Command Master Chief of DESRON 14, or as a Master Chief with any affiliation to Naval Station Mayport, but simply as a private citizen that desires to make the STARK Memorial Wall become reality.

The Greater Mayport Chief Petty Officers Association and many independent Chief Petty Officers Associations aboard Naval Station Mayport have agreed to donate/sponsor the STARK Memorial Dinner. These Associations are showing support of the Memorial dinner; however this event is not endorsed or sponsored by Naval Station Mayport.

I have to explain all of this because I want everyone to be clear on who you are being contacted by. Tony and I are coordinating this effort as private citizens and in no way want to misrepresent ourselves. We have no agreement with any organization (including, but not limited to NS Mayport), to sponsor the STARK Memorial Wall.

So here is what we have to do:

1. Make contact and verify all 37 PNOK and confirm that the WALL Idea should proceed.

2. Develop a vehicle by which all donations and monies can be tracked. This would be a board type of association or foundation that has a 508.1(C) current and in effect.

3. Appoint a project manager to put together a professional proposal, site surveys, cost analysis, work with NAVFAC and other organizations on the base to obtain permits etc....

4. Officially bring the proposal for the STARK Memorial Wall to the NS MAYPORT CO.

At this point we have proposed an idea; however without PNOK support and a true plan, we can not proceed any further. Please help us make the STARK Memorial a reality.

Very Respectfully,

Dion Beauchamp

President Reagan's Remarks at a Memorial Service for Crew members of the USS Stark in Jacksonville

The month of May is a much more difficult month than the rest of them, at least for me. It stirs up all kinds of emotions, what-if's, dreams and nightmare's related to the USS STARK. I wonder why and how the events played-out the way they did and what I could have done differently. My brothers; "I miss you and I owe all a debt of gratitude for which I can never repay. You will always be in my heart and never forgotten".

Daddy's Poem

Daddy's Poem

Her hair was up in a pony tail,

her favourite dress tied with a bow.

Today was Daddy's Day at

school, and she couldn't wait to go.

But her mummy tried to tell her,

that she probably should stay home.

Why the kids might not understand,

if she went to school alone.

But she was not afraid; she

knew just what to say.

What to tell her classmates

of why he wasn't there today.

But still her mother worried,

for her to face this day alone.

And that was why once again,

she tried to keep her daughter home.

But the little girl went to school

eager to tell them all.

About a dad she never sees

a dad who never calls.

There were daddies along the back wall,

for everyone to meet.

Children squirming impatiently,

anxious in their seats

One by one the teacher called

a student from the class.

To introduce their daddy,

as seconds slowly passed.

At last the teacher called her name,

every child turned to stare.

Each of them was searching,

a man who wasn't there.

'Where's her daddy at?' She

heard a boy call out.

'She probably doesn't have one,'

another student dared to shout.

And from somewhere near the back,

she heard a daddy say,

'Looks like another deadbeat dad,

too busy to waste his day.'

The words did not offend her,

as she smiled up at her Mum.

And looked back at her teacher,

who told her to go on.

And with hands behind her back,

slowly she began to speak.

And out from the mouth of a child,

came words incredibly unique.

'My Daddy couldn't be here,

because he lives so far away.

But I know he wishes he could be,

since this is such a special day.

And though you cannot meet

him, I wanted you to know.

All about my daddy,

and how much he loves me so.

He loved to tell me stories

he taught me to ride my bike.

He surprised me with pink roses,

and taught me to fly a kite.

We used to share fudge sundaes,

and ice cream in a cone.

And though you ca nnot see him.

'Cause my daddy's always

with me, even though we are apart

I know because he told me,

he'll forever be in my heart'

With that, her little hand reached up,

and lay across her chest.

Feeling her own heartbeat,

beneath her favourite dress.

And from somewhere in the crowd of dads,

her mother stood in tears.

Proudly watching her daughter,

who was wise beyond her years.

For she stood up for the love

of a man not in her life.

Doing what was best for her,

doing what was right.

And when she dropped her hand back

down, staring straight into the crowd.

She finished with a voice so soft,

but its message clear and loud.

'I love my daddy very much,

he's my shining star.

And if he could, he'd be here,

but heaven's just too far.

You see he is a soldier And died just

this past year.

When a roadside bomb hit his convoy

and taught brave men to fear.

But sometimes when I close my eyes,

it's like he never went away.'

And then she closed her eyes,

and saw him there that day.

And to her mother's amazement,

she witnessed with surprise.

A room full of daddies and children,

all starting to close their eyes.

Who knows what they saw before them,

who knows what they felt inside.

Perhaps for merely a second,

they saw him at her side.

'I know you're with me Daddy,'

to the silence she called out.

And what happened next made believers,

of those once filled with doubt.

Not one in that room could explain it,

for each of their eyes had been closed.

But there on the desk beside her,

was a fragrant long-stemmed pink rose.

And child was blessed, if only for a

moment, by the love of her shining star.

And given the gift of believing,

that heaven is never too far.

Author unknown

This poem was passed on to me by my Aunt Joanne. I wanted to share it, as it always makes me think, cry and feel for my lost shipmates. You are loved my brothers.

25 Years of Mixed Emotions

In just a few months it will be the day that holds continuous hardships and for many of us, ongoing and tortuous feelings for the individuals and families of those that were impacted by the events that unraveled on May 17, 1987…

USS STARK FFG-31

This year (2012) on May 17th it will be the 25th anniversary for those that died on the USS STARK (FFG-31). For those that remember, the USS STARK was struck by two Iraq missiles that killed 37 American Sailors, my friends - my heroes, when I was just a 19 year-old sailor.

"Under my own free will, I joined the Navy's delayed entry program when I was 17. At the time, I had no idea what I wanted to do or be in life but one thing was for sure. I realized, I was not mature enough to go to college or take on the world by myself. I needed authoritative-direction from someone I could respect. The Navy gave me that and I'm very proud to have served."

From my own personal STARK experience and I can only assume its the same for others in my "Stark-Family-Circle", The USS STARK incident is a gamut of mixed emotions that throws me on a roller coaster ride of fear, hate, anger, guilt, pride, love, devotion, remorse, insensitivity, honor, sadness and the list goes on and on... To say the least, its a never ending struggle that takes jabs at my self-worth, pounds-away at my heart and pierces into the depths of my soul. If I didn't force laughter into my life, I don't know where these feelings would take me.

GSM2 Wasnock & Blister, December 1987

This May 2012 will be somewhat of a different roller coaster ride for me and it scares the hell out of me.

Just thinking about it, "I can already feel the fear and anxiety building inside."

This is something, I know I must do no-matter what! I hope I can handle the stress.



I am planning on attending the USS STARK Memorial Service to be held in Mayport, FL. (where the STARK was home ported). I am very much looking forward to meeting my old shipmates but I'm scared to death at the same time.

"I often feel, I failed the families and my shipmates that died that day and gave me life."

With this upcoming memorial, I'm so afraid to face or look into the eyes of a lost STARK family member that may attend this service, the guilt is terrible.



1987 USS STARK Band, The Poison Squirrels from Hell

"The guy standing on the left side of the picture with the white guitar was my brother FC3 Bill Hansen. He was one of the KIA on may 17th."
-pretzel813






I write this to help keep me steady and on course to attend the memorial service.