A MARINE IN IRAQ RESPONDS TO SENATOR KERRY

[Dakoda]

If the mods are happy to allow non-Thai related subjects (and it is their prerogative to do so of course), perhaps they could open a further thread title - "Stars and Stripes Forever" perhaps =D>

Then the long suffering readers I referred to earlier could breeze straight past, and get onto the posts that have some relevance, importance or meaning.

=D> =D> =D> =D> Great idea. But are the mod's "mod'ing"

[thaistix]

My appology again to all of the forum I have posted in this SITE " UDONMAP" THAILAND. You are right I should have done some research on my own prior to this. Yes you are right this forum is about UDON and anything in THAILAND. I didn't think my topics would put some arrows through some people's hearts. I was just trying to appreciate the War heroes past and presents.

I am too is a member of the United States Armed Forces and proudly served for over 21 yrs. I did not born in America; I was born in BAN MU MON, UDON THANI, THAILAND. No, I am not a professional replacement as described. We were sent to Iraq to do what we had to do. We don't ask question even if our lives depend on it. We have family just like everyone else too but some of us don't know if we'll ever see them again.

I thought this thing is called "FORUM" (open discustion...the more people interact; the better it gets). From now on I guess I will keep my mouth and thoughts where they belong...in the UNITED STATES of AMERICA!

[Ricohoc]

As I recall on St. George's Day, everyone -- one and all -- regardless of culture or continent -- wished all the Brits a good day. And that is how it should be.

And I don't recall one complaint from anyone about all of that back slapping and pride. What gives now? All of a sudden there's a move underway to isolate those evil Americans and their national pride?

[BKKSTAN]

My appology again to all of the forum I have posted in this SITE " UDONMAP" THAILAND. You are right I should have done some research on my own prior to this. Yes you are right this forum is about UDON and anything in THAILAND. I didn't think my topics would put some arrows through some people's hearts. I was just trying to appreciate the War heroes past and presents.

I am too is a member of the United States Armed Forces and proudly served for over 21 yrs. I did not born in America; I was born in BAN MU MON, UDON THANI, THAILAND. No, I am not a professional replacement as described. We were sent to Iraq to do what we had to do. We don't ask question even if our lives depend on it. We have family just like everyone else too but some of us don't know if we'll ever see them again.

I thought this thing is called "FORUM" (open discustion...the more people interact; the better it gets). From now on I guess I will keep my mouth and thoughts where they belong...in the UNITED STATES of AMERICA!

Don't do that !Just tell the complainer to piss off and put the sexy avatar back up!

[valentine]

-- What gives now? All of a sudden there's a move underway to isolate those evil Americans and their national pride?

Thats a mighty leap based on one persons comments, "A move underway"
To isolate those evil Americans. I realise it is a national; characteristic to exagerate, but please.!!!There are many Brits on the forum, including myself, that enjoy watching the different American camps fighting, even funnier when you realise whatever is said is unimportant in the overall scheme of things.

[jackspratt]

Don't do that !Just tell the complainer to piss off and put the sexy avatar back up!

Unusually erudite for you, Stan

[Frankie 1]

I think the forum is from and for the people who are interested to go to live in Udon, or already live there. And I think that those people can talk about anything they like, maybe that keeps it interesting.

[Frankie 1]

I think there are 3 topics now in this thread.

1 comments on a soldiers letter
2 WW2
3 is this forum only about Udon

confusing?

[Frankie 1]

Ricohoc, I sent you a PM about ww2, but I am not sure if it is sent. Hope you received it.

[Paul]

This forum is for people to discuss anything they want to.
We only ask that topics are raised in the approriate sub headings (It saves the Mods the task of moving it later)

The open forum is there to discuss just about anything and if nobody chooses to partake in the discussion - then find something else to write about!!!
Its all about having choice and nobody forces anyone to read anything.
Subjects on this forum previously have included the strength of the US Dollar,
Laos Girlfriends, George Bush, Global Warming, French Elections, and even the workers in Guam who are paid to deflower young maidens (yep couldn't forget that one) and a multitude of other weird and wonderful subjects.

Not once is Thailand or Udon mentioned - and not once did people complain
the power of the finger on the mouse in making choices is a bloody miracle.

Sorry but I don't think we are going to change the forum for you.





And yes Dakoda - the Mods are modding (24/7) - in fact you wouldn't believe how much we do behind the scenes before your delicate eyes get to see it (most of the time anyway)

[Dakoda]

And yes Dakoda - the Mods are modding (24/7) - in fact you wouldn't believe how much we do behind the scenes before your delicate eyes get to see it (most of the time anyway)

Whoops, Guess this (WTFYCI) is your patrol, sorry Paul.

Whoops again, you do get around Paul. (Moderators: None).

[jackspratt]

Sorry but I don't think we are going to change the forum for you.

No problem Paul - but I still reckon a "Stars and Stripes Forever" topic would be a great enhancement

[FrazeeDK]

I think if you check your history you'll find that the winter of 45-46 was mighty bad for all of Europe not just northern Holland. Millions of Displaced Persons (DP's) and former German soldiers languished in internment camps during a pretty brutal winter. As I recollect the death toll was horrendous (300,000 plus) due to the cold, malnutrition, disease and poor logistics supporting the camps. Of course, the folks not in the internment camps didn't fare too much better..
Frankie1 seems to have forgotten that American Airborne troops jumped into and liberated areas of Holland during operation Market Garden.. The annual Nijmegen march is partially a tribtue to all the Airborne troops who took part in that campaign..
The lack of speed in liberating northern Holland can't be pointed at the Americans alone.. Add the difficulties in crossing major rivers (the Rhine), to a large German occupation force (117,000), and the Allied Strategy of pushing into the heart of Germany...
And... who had the responsibility for that flank anyway?? Was it solely the Canadians?? Were they under the control of the Americans Army Group or that paragon of military brilliance Bernard Law Montgomery???

On La's comment on Grenada.. It escalated in October 83 when the Socialist Government executed key figures in the island and put the appointed Governor General under house arrest.. Just shy of 900 Cuban "troops" made up primarily of "Pioneer" airfield engineers were in the vicinity of Point Salinas AF. All were armed.. Czech triple 23MM AAA was along the airfield ridge. Over 10,000 armed militia on the island (over 10% of the population). Arms warehouses with enough weapons, uniforms and supplies for a light infantry division of over 10,000. A number of BTR-60's armed with 14.5MM heavy MG's and some with light cannon..
Was our excuse for the incursion valid?? Save the American Students at the Med School?? B.S. It was to kick the Cubans out.. Mission accomplished and significant lessons learned on Joint Interoperability that morphed into the finest military in the world kicking Saddam's butt in 1990.
Was there a threat of Cuban domination of the island.. I say yes, given the fact that I was there after we violated Cuban dip immunity, busted into their abandoned embassy and blew some safes.. Some fellow soldiers (Puerto Ricans) were asked to translate documents found.. What did they say?? If I'm to belived a couple of guys I trusted, they said the Cubans would be moving a regular division into Grenada by Dec. 83..
Do I think overall it was worth it?? No, as I had a buddy wacked by friendly fire there, Sean Luketina wounded and later died due to poor air coordination (A-7 strafed his commo position).
Oh, and on La's comment on Korea.. The Korean war started when the NK Army invaded the south without provocation. The UN Security Council authorized the U.S. led response.. It was done entirely wihtin the purview of the UN, not outside of it..

[Paul]

Sorry but I don't think we are going to change the forum for you.

No problem Paul - but I still reckon a "Stars and Stripes Forever" topic would be a great enhancement

By all means feel free to start it - you never know where it will lead.
Can be in the open forum - or even in the debates forum.

The ball is in your court - type away ..........................

[Frankie 1]

Frankie1 seems to have forgotten that American Airborne troops jumped into and liberated areas of Holland during operation Market Garden.

I didn't forget anything, it has nothing to do with what we were talking about. I think that you mix up some stories.
After the liberation the south of Holland, the US troops were eager to go directly to Berlin as they were afraid that the Russians would be there first and get their hands on the latest German technology.
The Canadians and the Brittish troops didn't agree with them. We thank the Canadian troops to finally free the rest of the country.

I think if you check your history you'll find that the winter of 45-46 was mighty bad for all of Europe not just northern Holland

First of all it was the winter of 1944-1945
and the situation was very different from most other parts of Europe,that part of Holland was completely stripped from all supplies, anything.
It was not about logistics, the stealing of supplies by the Germans was already going on during the entire war. There was nothing left.

Secondly, I had history tought directly from a lot of people who lived inside that war, and knew what was going on.

[Frankie 1]

So ...

If I understand some members on this forum correctly:

I should be eternally thankfull to the US for liberating my grandfather (which actually they didn't), and because of that I am not allowed to comment on the present foreign policy of the US.

So the US is above the law and will not allow criticism?
If someone has a comment, he has to shut up because he has to be eternally thankfull because of what their grandparents supposedly did to my grandparents?
Does this fall under the category "emotional blackmail"?

[laphanphon]

ok, going to have to plead ignorance on grenade, didn't realize it was so involved, but korea, i still stick to my opinion, we put ourselves in positions we don't need to be, and pay a high human price for our ignorance.

some facts w/highlights before the UN got involved, as the usa had already set everything up to their liking, then took it to the UN, which i'm quessing, as today, the US had great influence on any decision making at the time. it's just recently that US has rightfully lost their controlling clout of the UN, and what happens when the disagree, they just do what they want anyway.

[quote]Korean War,

[tigerryan]

Frankie, If you don't like US foreign policy or the President Bush speak up I am all game for your opinion as I think most are. But when you said that the US soldiers in WWII let your countrymen die during the winter as some sort of conspiracy against the Dutch and don't really back it up I find it a bit offensive. My Grandfather his cousins and brothers were not short of words when it came to WWII the Germans and Japs. I only wish they were still around to ask them what they thought about the US starving the Dutch during the war. I can only smile thinking what the response would be, but what really makes me sad is that these guys are not around any more and I think we need to be very careful when we try to rewrite history so shortly after their passing.

[valentine]

I can only smile thinking what the response would be, but what really makes me sad is that these guys are not around any more and I think we need to be very careful when we try to rewrite history so shortly after their passing.

Know nothing about the incident in Holland, but I did live during the American occupation of the British Isles from 1942 onwards and I just had to laugh at the above about rewriting history, coming as it apparently does of a citizen of the same country that Hollywood and its environs , credited a single man, Audie Murphy of winning every battle , on every front.

[laphanphon]

you mean he didn't save europe and john wayne didn't save the pacific. damn, now who am i suppose to believe saved the world.