Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Growing up “American” in the Midwest




Well my Father was “Cherokee” and was a conservative and a straight shooter. If you didn’t want to know the truth then don’t ask him.
He always wanted to join the service and enter into WWII But they wouldn’t take him “Flat Footed” they called it. And he was always un happy about that.. and believe U Me he would have made an awesome warrior. But regardless at my home OLD GLORY was put up every morning and taken down ever night. We were an American household indeed. My Father was a Rancher, Truck Driver, Law Officer, and a great Conservationist. “Hunter” and much much more. He bought and drove “FORD” pick ups. Nothing else would do. Bought me a 22 cal rifle at age fourteen. And showed me the in’s and out’s of fire arm ownership.
He was no liberal. When he learned of my wanting to join the military at seventeen he was joyful, I graduated from High School early and off I went to Fort Dix NJ. My sister had joined the Air Force the year before. Now my parents were lonely But ever so proud that both their children had joined the Armed Forces. It was the Late seventies and all was well on the home front.. Many children today won’t join the military because they haven’t been taught value system or patriotism by their parents or school.
Many of today’s fathers are draft dodgers of the past or liberal anti USA guys, “Obama Voter’s” if you know what I mean. Having liberal parents is never a good thing for young people; they grow up weak and dishonest. And wanting something for nothing. My Father “God bless his sole” and I quote “If you want something bad enough you have to earn it, If it isn’t worth it Then you do not want it bad enough” This is how I was raised and that is why I am so independent , What I have got I have earned.
My Father said “They will never build a factory in the back yard” Which meant get your ass up and find a job and do it soon. He wasn’t an Obama voter and that is for sure and neither am I. My father loved “GOD” even though he hardly ever showed it. He was a quiet man a stern man a hard working man. My Father was the kind to look out for his neighbors and community and country, and also took good care of his family.
The young men growing up today will never be able to even stand in my Fathers shadow, He didn’t drive a Toyota and he knew what “We the People” stood for. I miss my Father and always will. I try to stand in his shadow and do a good job of it, Too bad more American do not even put the effort out to try. Shame on them.
Sincerely Vance Phoenix AZ
The Invasion of Grenada
(1983) The invasion of Grenada in late 1983 can be seen as a small part of the rivalry between the U.S. and Cuba during the Reagan years. A bloody coup in Grenada, along with a perceived threat to American students on the island provided the U.S. with an excellent excuse to eliminate a Marxist regime allied to Fidel Castro's Cuba.
DATES OF CONFLICT:
BEGAN: October 25, 1983
ENDED: December, 1983 CAUSES OF CONFLICT:
The U.S. invasion of Grenada and the toppling of its Marxist government can be seen as part of a greater regional conflict. This conflict involved the U.S. and its Central American and Caribbean allies on one side and Fidel Castro's Cuba, the Sandinista government of Nicaragua and various Marxist guerrilla armies on the other. President Reagan and his administration were concerned that the Marxist government of Prime Minister Maurice Bishop was allowing Cuba to gain undue influence in Grenada, specifically by constructing a military-grade airport with Cuban military engineers.
On October 13, 1983, the Grenadian Army, controlled by former Deputy Prime Minister Bernard Coard, seized power in a bloody coup. The severity of the violence, coupled with Coard's hard-line Marxism, caused deep concern among neighboring Caribbean nations, as well as in Washington, D.C. Also, the presence of nearly 1,000 American medical students in Grenada caused added concern.
However, along with concern, came opportunity. With President Reagan's worldwide efforts to confront what he viewed as the threat by the Soviet Union and other Communist countries (such as Cuba), the turmoil in the Caribbean provided a timely excuse to eliminate a Marxist government and give Fidel Castro a black eye.
It should also be noted that on October 23, 1983, American foreign policy and pride suffered a terrible shock when a Muslim suicide bomber destroyed the Marine barracks in Beirut, killing 240 U.S. Marines. A successful campaign in Grenada would prove helpful in alleviating the pain of that setback. DESCRIPTION OF CONFLICT:
In the early morning of October 25, 1983, the United States invaded the island of Grenada. The initial assault consisted of some 1,200 troops, and they were met by stiff resistance from the Grenadian army and Cuban military units on the island. Heavy fighting continued for several days, but as the invasion force grew to more than 7,000, the defenders either surrendered or fled into the mountains. Scattered fighting continued as U.S. troops hunted down stragglers, but for the most part, the island quickly fell under American control. By mid-December, U.S. combat forces went home and a pro-American government took power.

CONSEQUENCES OF CONFLICT:
1. The Marxist, pro-Cuban governments of Bishop and Coard were eliminated and a regime friendly to American interests took over.
2. The Reagan Administration proved willing to use force to combat what it considered hostile governments in the area.
3. America's European allies expressed disapproval of the unilateral invasion of Grenada.
4. The invasion sent a message to Cuba and Nicaragua that they could only go so far in exporting revolution in Central America and the Caribbean without provoking an American military response.
CASUALTY FIGURES:
U.S.-- 19 dead (officially).
Grenada-- 49 dead and several hundred wounded.
Cuba-- 29 dead and over a hundred wounded.
My Ranger Group took out 67 Students safely
another Ranger Group took out 100 Students safely
They all took fire and flames But we did as we were trained.
Thank God for Guts Guns and the American Solider.
The Soldier's CreedI am an American Soldier.I am a Warrior and a member of a team. I serve the people of the United States and live the Army Values.I will always place the mission first.I will never accept defeat.I will never quit.I will never leave a fallen comrade.I am disciplined, physically and mentally tough, trained and proficient in my warrior tasks and drills. I always maintain my arms, my equipment and myself.I am an expert and I am a professional.I stand ready to deploy, engage, and destroy the enemies of the United States of America in close combat.I am a guardian of freedom and the American way of life.I am an American Soldier.

2 comments:

  1. Holly Cow Vance Your "Father" sound alot like mine, He was a tough man and worked hard to support us. Retired Navy, The old hard working Navy. Ran our home as like a drill instructor, But we adored and loved that man. Like you I try to be as strong as my Father was and intrench my children with Patriotism.
    Like your Father I drive a Ford also, Imports are for Liberals. I just say no!
    Thanks Vance My family truly respects what you are trying to do here By brings America's roots back to life here.. Thanks Much
    Robin Fort Hood Texas

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  2. Hello Vance
    Like you I was also in Gernada and also very proud of what we accomplished there.
    So many people have forgotten that conflict.
    It was tough and it was dirty But it was accomplished without allot of death.
    HHHUUUURRRRRAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!
    Retired Capt Layton Oklahoma
    PS Thank you for your service to our country!

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