Tell it to the marines

[rbr 1,247]

This was posted on FF last night, absolutely superb post . Just a shame I couldn't capture the picture that went with it.

 

Tell it to the marines

 

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There was tension amongst even the battle experienced Marines as they waited for the call. Even the most battle hardened of veterans were unsure what awaited them in the moments ahead. Nervous excitement coursed through the rank and file of these young men as to what awaited them in the next few minutes.

 

But there was no last minute checks of weapons or ammo, no final smear of cam cream, for this was a very different theatre from what they had experienced in the previous 6 months. As the� quick march� order came the time for questions was over. A media and a section of the public who at times had been less than supportive for the war in Afghanistan had given rise to the fear and uncertainty amongst these young men.

 

But they need not have worried. Because this theatre was Ibrox, the home of the brave. The meeting place of the most loyal of the loyal. Those who defy populist opinion to stand steadfast to their beliefs, to that passed down from generation to generation. Where the teachings of our forefathers is not forgotten but embraced as a spiritual way mark for us, for our children and our children�s children.

 

As the young marines marched out any apprehension quickly evaporated. The flags they saw raised and waved in their honour were they very flags they had served under and in some cases which those who made the ultimate sacrifice, had been buried under. The cheers, the applause the adulation created a crescendo of noise which even a Royal Marines Band could not have drowned out. But there was no need for a band, for booming down from every corner of Ibrox and echoing through the veins of everyone present was the sound of ââ?¬Å?Rule Britanniaââ?¬Â.

 

The effect of this frenzy of appreciation could not be measured however. As one would expect from those who wear the Green Beret, they marched towards the centre of the pitch with a single minded sense of purpose. It was that same single minded sense of purpose and duty which earned this Corps not a few geographical locations as its battle honours, but the very globe itself.

 

But when the ââ?¬Å?stand easyââ?¬Â order came all semblance of order evaporated. The young marines ran to the 4 corners of Ibrox to show their heartfelt appreciation. The government can spend millions trying to spin an upbeat message about the Afghan War, the MOD can make defiant statement after statement carefully prepared by those of eloquent tongue but in those few moments at Ibrox, those young Marines endeavours and sacrifices were put in a proper and genuine perspective. Any lingering doubts any of them harboured about their deployment were usurped by a section of people who recognised the risks they had taken, the dangers they had overcome and the sacrifices they had made. And were not afraid to demonstrate their appreciation.

 

They grabbed scarves which had been thrown to honour them and draped themselves in them to emphasise the oneness of a people. They applauded their rapturous reception. They danced. They celebrated. They relaxed.

 

Months of tensions, tragedy, heartbreak and struggle was recognised, honoured and appreciated by an adoring public. I would respectfully suggest what they experienced that afternoon was far more fulfilling memory than a circular piece of metal and ribbon which will arrive in a few weeks time with a name and number on it.

 

And remarkably it did not go unreported with many Scottish newspapers as well as the wider media reporting the events that afternoon. It should come as no surprise that many of the military websites saw fit to report the reception these young heroes received at Ibrox. It�s probably the stuff spin doctors and ministry of defence officials can only dream of.

 

But its real value is in its integrity. For that appreciation those young Marines received is not contrived or manufactured by a desire to be liked or to be loved by everyone, but by a people who know what they stand for and are comfortable in what they believe even if it means ridicule by cowards with typewriters.

 

The reception those young Marines received at Ibrox that afternoon has not been confined to a few moments...it has reverberated right through the consciousness of our armed forces, albeit assisted by those in the MOD who saw an opportunity that no government millions could create.

 

Is it any small wonder that there are people out there who fear the Rangers support working collectively?

 

Perhaps when we ourselves realise this, we will once again become a force to be reckoned with.

 

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Last edited by Roger the Rabbit; Yesterday at 22:04.

[gavin3084 0]

Three cheers for the real heroes, the heroes who leave there families behind for months at a time, the heroes who don't get recgonised enough for the unbelieveable selfless jobs they do and most of all the heroes who serve our queen and country! GOD BLESS THEM!!!!!! NO SURRENDER!!!!!