US marines undertake "gut-wrenching" clean up in Sri Lanka

AFP ^ | Tue Jan 11, 3:19 AM ET | AFP

[Eurotwit]

Asked if anything stands out as being difficult, he shakes his head.

"No, it's something we do. We're marines, we're here to help."

[RushCrush]

Thank you for posting.
I think people forget so easily that not only what our military does is brave, but it is hard, backbreaking work.

God Bless Our Military!

[JackDanielsOldNo7]

HOW STINGY.

[yellowdoghunter]

Our military is the world's 911. Also, no good deed goes unpunished.

[sam_paine]

"We are happy that they are coming to Sri Lanka for free to help us. We're happy about them cleaning up," says the 33-year-old mother of four, whose father was also killed by the surging waters.

STINGY INDEED!

[NewHampshireDuo]

What do you mean, stingy? You have me a bit confused.....

[Conservative Canuck]

I'm amazed anything positive about the US (especially the military!?) is being reported by AFP (Agence France Presse). They're usually as bad as Reuters. Maybe this signals a bit of a thaw?

[Conservative Canuck]

But don't you know that wealth was built on the backs of slaves and stolen resources? sarc :-)

[yellowdoghunter]

Are we supposed to contribue to their wealth?

[JackDanielsOldNo7]

What do you mean, stingy? You have me a bit confused

Do you not remember the guy from the UN calling the US stingy?

[getmeouttaPalmBeachCounty_FL]

I am very proud and always amazed how the Marines can go and do just about anything anywhere. Let's always remember, though, that the Marines are trained to kill to protect Americans. Our Marines are not a rescue squad, nor a police operation. Each and every one is always in my thoughts and more importantly, my prayers.

[Jason_b]

This sort of job should be reserved for the Peace Corp and various charitable organizations.

The U.S. Marines have no business cleaning up the mess left by natural disasters. Their job is to kill people and break things. Time spent this way is time they cannot spend training. Lack of training will be responsible for some of their deaths when called upon to enter combat to defend the U.S.A. Who will take the blame for their lack of training?

[Spiff]

"I almost cried," he says. "We're marines, we've been trained, but I never thought I'd be standing here, picking up the pieces of someone's whole life."

The Marines are trained to kill people and break their stuff. This is not the proper role for a Marine. It is someone else's job. Now, if he was there to kill people and make all of that rubble, that would be a different thing entirely.

[getmeouttaPalmBeachCounty_FL]

Well said.

[NRA2BFree]

What a wonderful story! Our soldiers are amazing. God Bless them all.

[NRA2BFree]

What a wonderful story! Our soldiers are amazing. God Bless them all.

[getmeouttaPalmBeachCounty_FL]

Have you heard if there is an exit date for the carriers? I think there should be one. We should only be there temporarily to help with the initial stages until the French and everyone else can get their people over there and in place.

[iceskater]

"No, it's something we do. We're marines, we're here to help."

bump

[shiva]

Yeah! That the rest of the world should be so stingy!