There's a chain of command. Gripes go up, not down. Always up.

Chaplain Galyon posted his All-Time Favorite Military Movies.

He's a better man than I in various and sundry ways.  His discipline to limit his list to 10 is just another example of that reality.

My Top 20 Favorite Military* Movies:

• Forrest Gump ... "We was always taking long walks and we was always looking for a guy named Charlie."
• Stripes ... "Lighten up, Francis."
• Taps ... "They want us to be good little boys now so we can fight some war for them in the future. Some war they'll decide on. We'd rather fight our own war right now."
• Dances with Wolves ... "My place is with you. I go where you go."
• Top Gun ... "Negative, Ghost Rider, the pattern is full."
• Heartbreak Ridge ... "This is the AK-47 assault rifle, the preferred weapon of your enemy; and it makes a distinctive sound when fired at you, so remember it.
• The Final Countdown ... "I'm talking about the classic paradox of time."
• Rambo ... "I want, what they want, and every other guy who came over here and spilled his guts and gave everything he had, wants! For our country to love us as much as we love it!"
• An Officer and a Gentleman ... "I want your D.O.R!"
• Taking Chance ... "You are his witness now. Without a witness, they just disappear."
• Platoon ... "New meat! You dudes gonna love the Nam."
• We Were Soldiers ... "We who have seen war, will never stop seeing it."
• Braveheart ... "Every man dies, not every man really lives."
• Saving Private Ryan ... "Well, from my way of thinking, sir, this entire mission is a serious misallocation of valuable military resources."
• Apocalypse Now ... "I love the smell of napalm in the morning."
• Patton ... "All real Americans love the sting of battle."
• Full Metal Jacket ... "A jelly donut?!"
• A Few Good Men ... "You can't handle the truth!"
• Outlaw Josey Wales ... "Dyin' ain't much of a livin', boy."
• Sergeant York ... "Folks back home used to say I could shoot a rifle before I was weaned, but they was exaggeratin' some."

*Previously, I'd offered a list of 10 Favorite WAR Movies.

I don't know where you get your delusions, laser brain.

I've been pondering the election and wondering why people vote the way they do.

It motivated me to delineate how MY political views were formed.  This may be an exercise solely for my benefit, but I'd be surprised if you didn't find it helpful to examine YOUR political leanings and trace back why they are the way they are.

As best I can tell, there are 4 main influences that have shaped my political perspective (and subsequent voting patterns).  I share them in chronological order:

1. Living in England during the Reagan Presidency

• I developed a deep sense of national loyalty to my country.
• During this "Cold War," I became keenly aware that there were many places in the world quite unlike the USA, some of which help a deep-seated hatred of the USA.
• Consequently, I've always been a fan of ensuring our national defense and military were top notch.

2. Reading the Bill of Rights

• I realized that we needed the first 2 amendments (i.e., freedom from government involvement in religion, freedom of assembly, freedom of speech, freedom of press, and freedom to take up arms) as a grass roots form of checks and balances on the government itself.
• I realized the 10th amendment, contrary to what's transpired post-Civil War, put the vast majority of governing power in the hands of the individual states, not the federal government.

3. Reading Barry Goldwater's The Conscience of a Conservative

• I gained an appreciation for smaller government, especially in the face of encroaching Socialism.
• I also realized that rather than ensure liberty, governments by nature tend to be the chief instrument to thwart it.
• I also solidified and developed some of the thoughts I'd stumbled upon in the Bill of Rights (e.g., States' Rights).
• FYI - HERE are some pertinent quotes from the book.

4. Converting to Christianity

• I became pro-life, and consequently anti-abortion, seeing it as the murder of one made in God's image, with this being my political issue which trumps all others in evaluating candidates/parties.
• I shifted my confidence to the triune God who controls (Prov 21:1) and raises up and takes down governments (Rom 13:1-7), rather than in government itself.
• Thus, I added prayer as one of the duties a citizen has toward his/her country.

Admittedly, I am biased, but I recommend each of these 4 to you. Also, I'd love to hear what has shaped your political leanings as well.

You not expendable.

"The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him."
~G.K. Chesterton

This Memorial Day, we remember our love for those who laid down their lives for a country and its people. We also remember today how we need to show that love to our present soldiers, loving them in life, not merely in death.

No, I like all you Navy boys. Everytime we gotta go some place to fight, you fellas always give us a ride.

November 10th is regarded as the "birthday" of the United States Marine Corps. So, I'd like to wish those who are "always faithful" a Happy 232nd Birthday.

JOURNAL OF THE CONTINENTIAL CONGRESS
(Philadelphia) Friday, November 10, 1775

Resolved, That two Battalions of marines be raised, consisting of one Colonel, two Lieutenant Colonels, two Majors, and other officers as usual in other regiments; and that they consist of an equal number of privates with other battalions; that particular care be taken, that no persons be appointed to office, or enlisted into said Battalions, but such as are good seamen, or so acquainted with maritime affairs as to be able to serve to advantage by sea when required; that they be enlisted and commissioned to serve for and during the present war between Great Britain and the colonies, unless dismissed by order of Congress: that they be distinguished by the names of the first and second battalions of American Marines, and that they be considered as part of the number which the continental Army before Boston is ordered to consist of.


And a few "ou-rah" quotes for your motivational pleasure:

"The Continental ship Providence, now lying at Boston, is bound on a short cruise, immediately; a few good men are wanted to make up her complement."
-Marine Captain William Jones, Providence Gazette, 20 March 1779.

"you'll never get the Purple Heart hiding in a foxhole! Follow me!"
-Captain Henry P. "Jim" Crowe, USMC, Guadalcanal, 13 January 1943.

"Among the men who fought on Iwo Jima, uncommon valor was a common virtue."
-Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, USN, 16 March 1945.

"The bended knee is not a tradition of our Corps."
-General Alexander A. Vandergrift, USMC, to the Senate Naval Affairs Committee, 5 May 1946.

"I have just returned from visiting the Marines at the front, and there is not a finer fighting organization in the world."
-General Douglas MacArthur, USA, outskirts of Seoul, 21 September 1950.

"Some people live an entire lifetime and wonder if they've ever made a difference in the world. Marines don't have that problem."
-Ronald Reagan

From the Halls of Montezuma to the Shores of Tripoli,
We fight our country's battles In the air, on land, and sea.
First to fight for right and freedom, And to keep our honor clean,
We are proud to claim the title of United States Marine.

Our flag's unfurl'd to every breeze From dawn to setting sun;
We have fought in every clime and place Where we could take a gun.
In the snow of far-off northern lands And in sunny tropic scenes,
You will find us always on the job The United States Marines.

Here's health to you and to our Corps Which we are proud to serve;
In many a strife we've fought for life And never lost our nerve.
If the Army and the Navy Ever look on Heaven's scenes,
They will find the streets are guarded By United States Marines.