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Why do we continue to have Special Observances? After all, with open service for all, haven’t we mastered Diversity and Inclusion by now?
Good question. And the answer is…no; not by a lot. President Truman integrated the armed forces in 1948. 81 years later, African-Americans still suffer from discrimination and bigotry throughout society, and yes, even within our military. Women have been part of America’s military tradition since 1775, but not always openly. During the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, they participated in ancillary roles, and when in combat, they did so disguised as men. The first woman to enlist, as herself, was not until 1917. There were no women in the academies until 1976! And women were not part of combat units until 2016; prior to that year, they had served in combat as war does not stay within boundaries too well. They distinguished their efforts with Honor, and enthusiasm.
In the realm of LGBTQ+, it has been even more complicated. While these individuals have served throughout our history, it has only recently been openly. Prior to President Clinton and the introduction of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”, discovery of one’s homosexuality or other queerness was grounds for immediate discharge. With DADT, one could serve, as long as no one ever found out. For those who have not had to hide major parts of their life else face loss of their livelihoods do not know the fear which enveloped these Servicemembers. At any moment, one’s career could come to a crashing end. In 2010, DADT ended and open service was welcomed for the LGB.
That is not a typo. LGB could openly serve, but still the transgender individuals could not. The fear continued. 30 June 2016, Secretary of Defense Ash Carter opened service to transgender individuals. And while the next administration reversed course, in 2021, President Biden restored open service.
So, we are good! Laws, regulations, policies and orders have brought all of us into service for our country, regardless of race (1948), being female (2016), sexual orientation (2010), and gender identity (2021). Yet, Servicemembers are still harassed. Discrimination occurs regularly. Sexual harassment and sexual assault are shockingly not rarities, but commonly shared histories amongst our ranks. Open bigotry is less often found, yet a visit to social media will quickly reveal the dark bigotry alive and well.
These observances, then, are still essential. More so, they must not be “check-the-box” activities. Too, they should not be events where your absence is noteworthy; attendance may not be mandatory, but you had better be there. We often celebrate distinctions of our individual groups, and slowly more often, we utilize these opportunities to learn about those to our left and right in America’s formations.
Any self-respecting infantry Soldier will tell you that without them, no one will win a war. True, but it is the diversity in our job fields that enables that Soldier to fight and win. Cooks, supply, medics, intelligence gatherers, and clerks may not be the image of the combat Soldier, yet without them, that Soldier will soon be hungry, out of bullets, possibly wounded, unsure of where the enemy is or how strong and worse – not being correctly paid! It takes an Army to be an Army. And an Air Force to parachute them (Airborne!), bomb the enemy, and bring more supplies. The Navy, and with them, our beloved Marines, achieve many of those results on the world’s oceans.
Thus, since we recognize that we need all these parts to make an overwhelmingly strong whole, that we need that Diversity, and that all are important and play a role, why is it so difficult to recognize that is true within our ranks? As our skills, intelligence, and talents are spread throughout the services, so are they spread throughout our individuals. Men bring their strengths and talents, as do women, persons of color, LGBTQ, and our whole spectrum. We are all valuable.
Diversity is our force multiplier. Together, we are successful. Our nation protects and defends our Constitution by living the freedoms enshrined within that very document.
Out of many, one.
Good question. And the answer is…no; not by a lot. President Truman integrated the armed forces in 1948. 81 years later, African-Americans still suffer from discrimination and bigotry throughout society, and yes, even within our military. Women have been part of America’s military tradition since 1775, but not always openly. During the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, they participated in ancillary roles, and when in combat, they did so disguised as men. The first woman to enlist, as herself, was not until 1917. There were no women in the academies until 1976! And women were not part of combat units until 2016; prior to that year, they had served in combat as war does not stay within boundaries too well. They distinguished their efforts with Honor, and enthusiasm.
In the realm of LGBTQ+, it has been even more complicated. While these individuals have served throughout our history, it has only recently been openly. Prior to President Clinton and the introduction of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”, discovery of one’s homosexuality or other queerness was grounds for immediate discharge. With DADT, one could serve, as long as no one ever found out. For those who have not had to hide major parts of their life else face loss of their livelihoods do not know the fear which enveloped these Servicemembers. At any moment, one’s career could come to a crashing end. In 2010, DADT ended and open service was welcomed for the LGB.
That is not a typo. LGB could openly serve, but still the transgender individuals could not. The fear continued. 30 June 2016, Secretary of Defense Ash Carter opened service to transgender individuals. And while the next administration reversed course, in 2021, President Biden restored open service.
So, we are good! Laws, regulations, policies and orders have brought all of us into service for our country, regardless of race (1948), being female (2016), sexual orientation (2010), and gender identity (2021). Yet, Servicemembers are still harassed. Discrimination occurs regularly. Sexual harassment and sexual assault are shockingly not rarities, but commonly shared histories amongst our ranks. Open bigotry is less often found, yet a visit to social media will quickly reveal the dark bigotry alive and well.
These observances, then, are still essential. More so, they must not be “check-the-box” activities. Too, they should not be events where your absence is noteworthy; attendance may not be mandatory, but you had better be there. We often celebrate distinctions of our individual groups, and slowly more often, we utilize these opportunities to learn about those to our left and right in America’s formations.
Any self-respecting infantry Soldier will tell you that without them, no one will win a war. True, but it is the diversity in our job fields that enables that Soldier to fight and win. Cooks, supply, medics, intelligence gatherers, and clerks may not be the image of the combat Soldier, yet without them, that Soldier will soon be hungry, out of bullets, possibly wounded, unsure of where the enemy is or how strong and worse – not being correctly paid! It takes an Army to be an Army. And an Air Force to parachute them (Airborne!), bomb the enemy, and bring more supplies. The Navy, and with them, our beloved Marines, achieve many of those results on the world’s oceans.
Thus, since we recognize that we need all these parts to make an overwhelmingly strong whole, that we need that Diversity, and that all are important and play a role, why is it so difficult to recognize that is true within our ranks? As our skills, intelligence, and talents are spread throughout the services, so are they spread throughout our individuals. Men bring their strengths and talents, as do women, persons of color, LGBTQ, and our whole spectrum. We are all valuable.
Diversity is our force multiplier. Together, we are successful. Our nation protects and defends our Constitution by living the freedoms enshrined within that very document.
Out of many, one.
LGBTQ+
Diversity
Celebration
Veterans Affairs (VA)
Equality
Posted 3 y ago
Responses: 27
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I am going to call a little BS on this. My brother and some of my friends were constantly passed over for promotions and advancement so women and minorities could advance.. When I was at Madigan the Chief Nurse was slated to be promoted to Chief of The Army Nurse Corps. The Madigan Medical Center got passed over so the Army Nurse Corp could have its first Black General.
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MAJ David Stokes
Cpl Henry E Busby - SO, you think that WHITE people should be discriminated against because of the past? How far back should we go? In your picture you look WHITE to me. So what are you willing to give up PERSONNALLY to BLACKS? Your life? house? bank account? Car? Any and Everything YOU have worked for? WHAT?? AND TO WHOM? WHICH BLACK should receive payment for YOUR CRIMES FOR THE PAST? WHAT about the rest of the black people in the world? You own them too! WHAT ARE YOU..YOU GOING TO PAY?
What about the crimes against white people? How many generations should BLACKS be held accountable for the CRIMES of the past?
Personally, I've never owned a person, of any color. I guess you have! That's why you feel you owe Black people something. But I HAVE BEEN DISCRIMINATED FOR BEING A WHITE MALE EVERY DAY OF MY LIFE!
Sorry, only black people get scholarships. These grants are for minorities. Sorry, I know you have worked harder to get promoted, but... there's affirmative action, and we have to promote a black person, less qualified than you. Sorry, those federal jobs are only for blacks. AT WHAT POINT DID YOU STOP SEEING RACISM?
People like you are the APEX OF RACISM! YOU ARE SO RACIST YOU CAN'T SEE IT!
I OWN NO ONE IN THIS WORLD ANYTHING FOR THE PAST!
Lets' remove all names, race, age, sex, schooling attended from all forms of any promotions, jobs, evaluations etc. and let a PERSON, regardless of race, age or sex, stand on THEIR OWEN two feet!
Think about that pilot flying the plane you are in. Is he / she there because of Knowledge , Skills, and abilities OR RACIAL QUOTA?
What about that Doctor about to operated on you? Did he / she pass school because of Knowledge, Skills and Abilities or A RACIAL QUOTA?
These RACIST Organizations ANYWHERE in the USA present BLACK PEOPLE AS LESS OF A HUMAN! I guess you believed that too. I DON'T! You know, like the Democratic party who thinks black people are not smart enough to make it to a voting both.
Tell me, What country makes a bullet that distinguishes its' next target by race? I can't think of one. Yet the VA does. That's why there are special organizations for blacks. OR ONCE AGAIN does the Federal Government think a black person isn't capable of thinking for themselves.
I DON'T GIVE A RATS @#$ about what your race is, your sex, who you identify with or any of your other hang-ups. What I DO CARE ABOUT IS YOUR QUALIFICATIONS, SCHOOLING, EXPERIENCE and ABILITY to do the job as a HUMAN, NOT A QUOTA!
AND I DO NOT OWE A PERSON ONE D@#$% THING FOR WHAT HAPPEN IN THE PAST!
What about the crimes against white people? How many generations should BLACKS be held accountable for the CRIMES of the past?
Personally, I've never owned a person, of any color. I guess you have! That's why you feel you owe Black people something. But I HAVE BEEN DISCRIMINATED FOR BEING A WHITE MALE EVERY DAY OF MY LIFE!
Sorry, only black people get scholarships. These grants are for minorities. Sorry, I know you have worked harder to get promoted, but... there's affirmative action, and we have to promote a black person, less qualified than you. Sorry, those federal jobs are only for blacks. AT WHAT POINT DID YOU STOP SEEING RACISM?
People like you are the APEX OF RACISM! YOU ARE SO RACIST YOU CAN'T SEE IT!
I OWN NO ONE IN THIS WORLD ANYTHING FOR THE PAST!
Lets' remove all names, race, age, sex, schooling attended from all forms of any promotions, jobs, evaluations etc. and let a PERSON, regardless of race, age or sex, stand on THEIR OWEN two feet!
Think about that pilot flying the plane you are in. Is he / she there because of Knowledge , Skills, and abilities OR RACIAL QUOTA?
What about that Doctor about to operated on you? Did he / she pass school because of Knowledge, Skills and Abilities or A RACIAL QUOTA?
These RACIST Organizations ANYWHERE in the USA present BLACK PEOPLE AS LESS OF A HUMAN! I guess you believed that too. I DON'T! You know, like the Democratic party who thinks black people are not smart enough to make it to a voting both.
Tell me, What country makes a bullet that distinguishes its' next target by race? I can't think of one. Yet the VA does. That's why there are special organizations for blacks. OR ONCE AGAIN does the Federal Government think a black person isn't capable of thinking for themselves.
I DON'T GIVE A RATS @#$ about what your race is, your sex, who you identify with or any of your other hang-ups. What I DO CARE ABOUT IS YOUR QUALIFICATIONS, SCHOOLING, EXPERIENCE and ABILITY to do the job as a HUMAN, NOT A QUOTA!
AND I DO NOT OWE A PERSON ONE D@#$% THING FOR WHAT HAPPEN IN THE PAST!
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Cpl Henry Busby
MAJ David Stokes WOW! That was a lot. I knew that you were off your meds when you said that me and my wife looked white to you. But that's 5x5 My Man and I didn't mean to trigger you and am thankful that you were the only one. Seriously, I didn't know that you had it so bad in America as a white man. I never said that you owed anyone anything. I can't imagine the pain and disappointment you and your ancestors have suffered by not receiving the privilege you apparently think you deserve. I don't know why that is because it has always been readily available to you. But I am ignorant to your plight. What I don't know is who did this to you. You Poor Soul.
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SFC Howard Holmes
LTC. Brown, I don't know who's pulling the B.S., but somebody is. Back in 1980, when I was an MP with the 9th MP Co. at Ft. Lewis, Madigan Army Medical Center had a black brigadier general then. I know very well, because one time he came through what was known as the DuPont gate, the southernmost gate to enter post, and I failed to salute him as he came in. I know that he was a black man, I know he was a general, because he stopped (because I didn't salute) and made me look at his bumper (because I told him I thought the blue sticker was green). Yeah, I brought that alpha charlie on myself, but yes, he was the commander of MAMC.
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I've never seen any data that diverse units have better combat performance. Call it more ethical, call it in line with your values, but please don't justify your social policy by telling military professionals that something is a force multiplier.
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PO1 Todd McMillin
I'm going to counter this with comparison to our allies Services as they have had better integration for decades. It wasn't until literally 1985 until women got on Auxillary Ships as a test and it went sideways with pregnancies and other shennanigans. Then it was tried again in 1995 on the CVN-72. While again same results because the Old White Whiners made sure to abuse Don't Ask Don't Tell as a weapon to harass effeminate males and masculine females.
While in the MoD the women & men had been completely integrated starting in 1985 and they didn't have a BS policy to sexually harass and abuse others because of claims about their sexual orientation. Which had ZERO to do with their ability to serve; instead they overlooked things and did force retirement on the bigoted assholes as much as they could with early retirement and some cases forced those out when they found to be attached to known Terrorists Organization and Hate Groups.
In fact the MoDs and or EU Allies were able to have Openly Gay and Lesbian Officers attend the Naval War College in Norfolk which pissed off a lot of Karens whose husbands were Khakis and this was long before Obama repealed DADT as far back as 2002. They had the MODs of the UK, Canada & NZ have open Transgender Officers in the ranks by 2006. With the Neo-Fascist Media outlets of Rupert Murdoch and other Billionaires working to out those officers because of claiming it undermines moral. Is it any wonder why the Queen of England stripped him of his titles and pretty much made him persona non-grata?
Yet, the 5 sided Wind Tunnel dragged its feet on letting an Openly Gay Female Officer be a CO of a Carrier until 2021. While the DOD was forced to retire Navy Chaplains who harassed and broke Religious Privacy Acts and Harassed non-Christians about their faith or lack of it. Also, outing LGBQIA folks since 2006 as well thus causing lack of manpower i the ranks. Which was why the Navy and Marines had to remove those Chaplains who were disruptive to the morals and quality of service life.
The American DOUCHE BROS whom saw themselves "emasculated" by better qualified individuals. They grossly attempted to use those biases of gender/sex, religion, or ethnicity/race made it hard place to work because of both covert and overt bigotry.
In turn, they used every dirty trick to get rid of hard workers because of their inability to be a FUCKING ADULT. Instead of simply ignoring their own bigotry and do their duties and jobs; by "Ousting" folks for idiotic reasons they made a huge cut into the available work force by 20%. Which left the Fleet and other Branches short handed to force them to work overtime and pull extra duties rather than be able to enjoy time off before deployments and other tasking.
I will be honest and say at first I did agree with the fact it seemed like a lot of women in both Enlisted and Officer ranks between 1995 & 2000 were promoted ahead of their male counterparts unfairly in some cases to fill the quotes created by Congress on purpose to INTENTIONAL cause division within the ranks based on SEXISM and the whole lowering standards to be met. Films like "GI Jane" and other garbage didn't help either.
However, again the fact that the MODs and EU allies Military Forces adapted better and were able to be better ADULTS in Uniform . Mostly, because of better quality Education from pre-K to 12th Grade. In fact most of our EU allies education has been keeping up with the future as a "National Security Issue" and paid for by their Defense Budgeting. Unironically, its our NDAA of Trillions of Dollars which funds to help them as Foreign Aid by paying for their military forces since 1980s. In fact, if we cut our Foreign Military Aid by 50% for a single Presidential Term we could fund the US EDUCATION system to be on par with the Scandinavian Nation-States for 20 years alone.
While the US has been "Dumbed Down" on purpose for the past 40 years (since 1984) because of the fact Bush Sr and other War Profiteering assholes want their troops just smart enough to follow orders and kill people; but not smart enough to question said orders if they're LAWFUL or Not. They don't want troops questioning their Commander in Chief or Congress's sketchy decision to engage in Wars of Terror to justify illegal occupation of foreign countries to control or steal their resources.
While in the MoD the women & men had been completely integrated starting in 1985 and they didn't have a BS policy to sexually harass and abuse others because of claims about their sexual orientation. Which had ZERO to do with their ability to serve; instead they overlooked things and did force retirement on the bigoted assholes as much as they could with early retirement and some cases forced those out when they found to be attached to known Terrorists Organization and Hate Groups.
In fact the MoDs and or EU Allies were able to have Openly Gay and Lesbian Officers attend the Naval War College in Norfolk which pissed off a lot of Karens whose husbands were Khakis and this was long before Obama repealed DADT as far back as 2002. They had the MODs of the UK, Canada & NZ have open Transgender Officers in the ranks by 2006. With the Neo-Fascist Media outlets of Rupert Murdoch and other Billionaires working to out those officers because of claiming it undermines moral. Is it any wonder why the Queen of England stripped him of his titles and pretty much made him persona non-grata?
Yet, the 5 sided Wind Tunnel dragged its feet on letting an Openly Gay Female Officer be a CO of a Carrier until 2021. While the DOD was forced to retire Navy Chaplains who harassed and broke Religious Privacy Acts and Harassed non-Christians about their faith or lack of it. Also, outing LGBQIA folks since 2006 as well thus causing lack of manpower i the ranks. Which was why the Navy and Marines had to remove those Chaplains who were disruptive to the morals and quality of service life.
The American DOUCHE BROS whom saw themselves "emasculated" by better qualified individuals. They grossly attempted to use those biases of gender/sex, religion, or ethnicity/race made it hard place to work because of both covert and overt bigotry.
In turn, they used every dirty trick to get rid of hard workers because of their inability to be a FUCKING ADULT. Instead of simply ignoring their own bigotry and do their duties and jobs; by "Ousting" folks for idiotic reasons they made a huge cut into the available work force by 20%. Which left the Fleet and other Branches short handed to force them to work overtime and pull extra duties rather than be able to enjoy time off before deployments and other tasking.
I will be honest and say at first I did agree with the fact it seemed like a lot of women in both Enlisted and Officer ranks between 1995 & 2000 were promoted ahead of their male counterparts unfairly in some cases to fill the quotes created by Congress on purpose to INTENTIONAL cause division within the ranks based on SEXISM and the whole lowering standards to be met. Films like "GI Jane" and other garbage didn't help either.
However, again the fact that the MODs and EU allies Military Forces adapted better and were able to be better ADULTS in Uniform . Mostly, because of better quality Education from pre-K to 12th Grade. In fact most of our EU allies education has been keeping up with the future as a "National Security Issue" and paid for by their Defense Budgeting. Unironically, its our NDAA of Trillions of Dollars which funds to help them as Foreign Aid by paying for their military forces since 1980s. In fact, if we cut our Foreign Military Aid by 50% for a single Presidential Term we could fund the US EDUCATION system to be on par with the Scandinavian Nation-States for 20 years alone.
While the US has been "Dumbed Down" on purpose for the past 40 years (since 1984) because of the fact Bush Sr and other War Profiteering assholes want their troops just smart enough to follow orders and kill people; but not smart enough to question said orders if they're LAWFUL or Not. They don't want troops questioning their Commander in Chief or Congress's sketchy decision to engage in Wars of Terror to justify illegal occupation of foreign countries to control or steal their resources.
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PO1 Todd McMillin
SPC Chris Ison - Oh, did I hurt your feelings because I spoke to close to the truth. Tell me SPC how did you get busted from an E-4 to E-2. At least when I got in trouble it was for "self-defense". Anytime I see some "Goofy Fuck" with sunglasses on it's only to hide the "Crazy that's in their eyes" like the same nut jobs you see in movies that is when you realize that person is Mentally Unhinged. Especially, nowadays as most MAGA/QAnon buffoons are. Then again most Cultists don't want to admit they're in a Cult and their Messiah lost LOL! But again everything I said was also based on actual data and information that Average Well-Educated and Informed Voters can learn about if they seek it out.
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SPC Chris Ison
PO1 Todd McMillin - Were you expecting some type of response?
You basically said the same thing I did. I just did not put all my own horseshit into the argument. None of what you say about "social" policy is true.
I joined the navy and served during tail hook, dip shit, I know the truth of female aviation officers being sexually harassed.
I made rate second time up, at the 2.5 year mark in my Navy career something not done by most AT's. I was busted down for destruction government property. It was a shit show of a captains mast, i should have request a court martial. But, i did not know, back then, what i know now about the military justice system now. Being int he Navy i was only reduced from E-4 to E-3.
Only person "speaking truth" here is me.
Tell me asshole why did it take you 10 years to make E-6? Why did it take you two years to make E-4.
You really do not want to be throwing shit like that around when your promotion schedule is as shitty as yours.
And before you ask why I never made E-5 I will tell you I was never sent to PLDC. ND when they waived that I was not in a duty position that I was MOS qualified for,a s cuh I was not promoteable. But That is what happens when you fill an Armored unit with Infantry guys.
You basically said the same thing I did. I just did not put all my own horseshit into the argument. None of what you say about "social" policy is true.
I joined the navy and served during tail hook, dip shit, I know the truth of female aviation officers being sexually harassed.
I made rate second time up, at the 2.5 year mark in my Navy career something not done by most AT's. I was busted down for destruction government property. It was a shit show of a captains mast, i should have request a court martial. But, i did not know, back then, what i know now about the military justice system now. Being int he Navy i was only reduced from E-4 to E-3.
Only person "speaking truth" here is me.
Tell me asshole why did it take you 10 years to make E-6? Why did it take you two years to make E-4.
You really do not want to be throwing shit like that around when your promotion schedule is as shitty as yours.
And before you ask why I never made E-5 I will tell you I was never sent to PLDC. ND when they waived that I was not in a duty position that I was MOS qualified for,a s cuh I was not promoteable. But That is what happens when you fill an Armored unit with Infantry guys.
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PO1 Todd McMillin
SPC Chris Ison - No I expected you to scroll on vs down voting something if you didn't agree without providing a reason for it.
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Creating special conditions, including recognition, based on skin is the definition of racism. The same is true when it comes to religion, sexual orientation and more. I'm not 'woke' so I'm unaware of what the terminology is today or what it might be tomorrow.
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Cpl Henry E Busby
What was it in the wars of the past when they said that Blacks could not do this or that or the other and were proven wrong. The Tuskegee Airmen for example was told than they did not have the intelligence to fly. They were given scraps of planes which they pieced together and formed the Red Wing Squadron who were the most requested for flying escort and racked up some of the most kills. History is replete with such stories. While I was serving I had the pleasure of meeting some of the original Montford Point Marines who were ostracized, given substandard equipment and told what they couldn't do, and yet they did it anyway with bravery and honor. And even after serving with bravery, honor heroism, they still came home as second class citizens.
And no, we can't change the past, and in some instances the past is still being lived. In my many decades on this ball of mud called Earth, I have heard it said more than a few times "Why don't they just get over it!" Many of the heroic, unselfish acts of bravery were not a part of the history of America and now it seems that some want to remove what has been documented. But you know what!? THE BEAT GOES ON! And that has nothing to do with being WOKE, which many use incorrectly anyway, but the simple MILK OF HUMAN KINDNESS. When I fought beside a fellow Marine, I and no one else with any sense thought about the color of their skin since we were all Green. Some of us just Dark Green.
And no, we can't change the past, and in some instances the past is still being lived. In my many decades on this ball of mud called Earth, I have heard it said more than a few times "Why don't they just get over it!" Many of the heroic, unselfish acts of bravery were not a part of the history of America and now it seems that some want to remove what has been documented. But you know what!? THE BEAT GOES ON! And that has nothing to do with being WOKE, which many use incorrectly anyway, but the simple MILK OF HUMAN KINDNESS. When I fought beside a fellow Marine, I and no one else with any sense thought about the color of their skin since we were all Green. Some of us just Dark Green.
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SFC Niccademus Colin
We should learn from the past, not re-live it or continue to blame it for our own short comings.
(3)
(0)
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