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An Open Letter To Free Republic
Free Republic | 29 SEP 2004 | Old Sarge

Posted on 09/29/2004 7:41:48 AM PDT by Old Sarge

Dear FRiends:

Many of you who inhabit this virtual home of ours, know me by reputation, and a few personally. I am so proud to be counted among your ranks, and numbered among your company. We laugh, we cheer, we argue, we fight, we weep, we support, and we live, all in this place we call home. And all who do know me, know that my greatest wish is to serve this nation of ours in uniform.

That opportunity has arisen once again, as I return to Active Duty once more. This time, though, the mission is something unique to my experience, something I have never done in twenty-plus years of Active, Reserve and National Guard service. For as of next month, I shall become… a Recruiter.

Yes, you heard it. I shall shortly become one of those intrepid souls who venture out into the countryside, into the schools, the marketplaces, the state and county fairs, and anywhere else that citizens gather, to bring to them the virtues and distinctiveness of military life.

Now, I am going to confess something, here. I know that I shall be bringing to the job a very unique set of skills and experiences. I know that usually the older recruiters have an advantage over younger troops in the job, because they’ve seen and done so much more. That would be true, if this were a parallel universe.

This is a nation at war. A war that is not only on the battlefields, but also in the minds and hearts of its’ own citizens. Young folks today are technologically savvy, have better access to more data, and their innate distrust of adults has been hardened by focus-group-tested ads. In short, I shall be playing to a very hostile audience, which has been fed the bitter food of a poisoned ideology.

And this is where you, each of you, come in. As I begin this mission, I am recognizing that I must be better informed than anyone else, more than ever before, about more issues than I gave myself time to consider. And there is no better place to find these things, as I tell my soldiers who ask me, than Free Republic.

I need links, Web pages, facts and evidence, for the questions and sound bites that will be cast upon me. Young people have issues that matter to them: jobs, education, the “draft”, to name a few. I don’t doubt there are others; I need those, as well.

So, consider this an open appeal to my Pajama Patriot comrades. Help me to prepare for these upcoming debates. Arm me with fact and truth. Equip me with the data, debunked or confirmed, to do one sincere thing: to help me articulate what I might not otherwise say clearly, that their nation, this mightiest and best of nations, is worth their support and their service, and that there is no more honorable and noble title than United States Service Member.

Vigilantly Yours,

OLD SARGE


TOPICS: Announcements; Culture/Society; Free Republic; Government; Miscellaneous; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; US: Kentucky; War on Terror; Your Opinion/Questions
KEYWORDS: supportourtroops
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To: Old Sarge

Hope it goes well for you. I didn't know they take people over 80. Dang! :o)


121 posted on 09/29/2004 8:56:36 AM PDT by RedBloodedAmerican
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To: Old Sarge
God bless you and your efforts. I know the Freepers will be praying for the success of your mission. Keep us posted.

Love and prayers,

Redhead

122 posted on 09/29/2004 8:56:46 AM PDT by redhead (I've gone to look for myself. If I return before I get back, keep me here...)
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To: Old Sarge

The current wisdom John Kerry imparts to his rally audience is that Iraq has become a haven for terrorists because of our presence there. A potential recruit might question why they should join the fight if it only makes matters worse. I would say that apparently America had/has become a haven for terrorists and we weren't even at war with anyone when 911 happened. This war is keeping the terrorists occupied in the area that has bred them even tho God knows how many are in place in this country. Prayers for your success in your new job.


123 posted on 09/29/2004 9:01:45 AM PDT by mountainfolk (God bless President George Bush)
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To: Old Sarge

Go woth God and thank you for your service.


124 posted on 09/29/2004 9:04:34 AM PDT by GOP_Proud (Those who preach tolerance seem to have the least for my views.)
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To: Old Sarge
Eagles Up, old FRiend, and here's an idea.

Young people respond to good ideas briefly stated. Try this one: "When you make this commitment, you join an Army that takes to the field not for glory, not for plunder, but for the freedom of the oppressed. The US Army has liberated many millions more than it has attacked."
125 posted on 09/29/2004 9:04:57 AM PDT by timpad (Peace without victory is procrastination)
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To: Old Sarge

God bless you Sarge!


126 posted on 09/29/2004 9:05:22 AM PDT by Pippin ( Welcome to the family Jazmin!)
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To: Old Sarge; 2nd amendment mama; A2J; Agitate; Alouette; Annie03; aposiopetic; Askel5; attagirl; ...
Thank you for your service, Sarge. Calling in the clans...

Service member needs help ping!

127 posted on 09/29/2004 9:08:54 AM PDT by Mr. Silverback (If the Cambodia "lie" 100% discredits John O'Neill, what do 50 Cambodia lies do for Kerry?)
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To: Old Sarge

BTTT


128 posted on 09/29/2004 9:12:11 AM PDT by spodefly (A bunny-slippered operative in the Vast Right-Wing Pajama Party.)
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To: Old Sarge

Tell those young folks that their country has never needed them as much as it does now. They are fighting for our very survival against an enemy with no respect for life, liberty, or anything that we hold dear. We cannot do it without them. They are brave and will do noble work.

God bless them and you.


129 posted on 09/29/2004 9:13:37 AM PDT by conservativebabe
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To: Old Sarge

Godspeed, Sarge.


130 posted on 09/29/2004 9:14:02 AM PDT by doug from upland (Dan Rather is a journalist like Michael Moore is a pole vaulter.)
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To: Howlin; Old Sarge

Thank you so much for this ping and the privilege to thank Old Sarge for his dedication and honorable service to our country.

With the wonderful Freepers like Howlin on the job, you will no doubt be kept abreast of any and all important information you will require in your new position.

God Bless You, Old Sarge as you guide these young people.


131 posted on 09/29/2004 9:15:18 AM PDT by BlessedByLiberty (Respectfully submitted,)
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To: Old Sarge
God Bless you Old Sarge and if there is any research you need, just give a holler
132 posted on 09/29/2004 9:18:07 AM PDT by Mo1 (Why is the MSM calling the Vietnam Vets and POW's a suspected group??)
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To: Old Sarge; All

OHHHHHH Sarge which miltary branch you recruit you for

Rack itttt

Hey don't be suprise if you get hassle by Lib professors if you do go on college campus


133 posted on 09/29/2004 9:18:34 AM PDT by SevenofNine ("Not everybody , in it, for truth, justice, and the American way,"=Det Lennie Briscoe)
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To: Old Sarge
God's richest blessings to an American Patriot. Thank you for you service to our Great Nation, my friend.
God Bless Our Troops, God Bless George W. Bush, God Bless the U.S.A., and God Bless you, Old Sarge!!
134 posted on 09/29/2004 9:23:48 AM PDT by One4Indictment
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To: Old Sarge
"...their nation, this mightiest and best of nations, is worth their support and their service, and that there is no more honorable and noble title than United States Service Member." Somehow, I think the above quote from you will stir their pride and passion to serve.
135 posted on 09/29/2004 9:27:49 AM PDT by dixie sass (Texas - South Carolina on Steroids)
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To: Howlin; Old Sarge
Howlin, thank you for the ping.

Old Sarge, thank you for your continued service to our country - Godspeed to you in this new mission. I would consider it an honor to provide whatever meager help I can.

136 posted on 09/29/2004 9:27:52 AM PDT by Inspectorette
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To: Old Sarge; humblegunner; Travis McGee; Squantos; archy; Darksheare

Start a ping list and put me on it. I don't know what I bring to the table but this should be a great place for a continuing education.


137 posted on 09/29/2004 9:29:36 AM PDT by Eaker ("He's the kind of guy who would fight a rattlesnake and give the snake a two-bite head start.")
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To: Old Sarge

Sarge, I don't know if I can help or not, but you have my support and admiration.


138 posted on 09/29/2004 9:30:43 AM PDT by Lady Jag (Googolplex Star Thinker of the Seventh Galaxy of Light and Ingenuity)
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To: Jim Robinson; A Navy Vet; Eastbound; Warrior Nurse; The Mayor; Neil E. Wright; Diver Dave; LadyX

Cheers for Old Sarge.


139 posted on 09/29/2004 9:30:47 AM PDT by dixie sass (Texas - South Carolina on Steroids)
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To: Old Sarge
Best wishes in your new assignment.

You will have to appeal to their hearts and minds. But you can't do it by cramming your ideology down their throats. You must something that appeals to them first and then has the message in a way they understand it.

I strongly believe that today's youth in general that have come from better families are more conservative than when I was a youth 30 years ago. But appear to be condescending, and they will turn you off in a moment. BS them and they will see through it. For example the war in Iraq is not going well, but it's not going to be lost. Use the fact that we need their compassion and skill to turn this into roadmap for the rest of the middle east and you'll earn their respect. Tell them that the media is hiding progress and they will turn you away.

Our conservatism is not their conservatism.

140 posted on 09/29/2004 9:30:58 AM PDT by joesbucks
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