When you can't run anymore. . . by Static

GENERAL DISCUSSIONS

When you can't run anymore. . .

POSTED BY: STATIC
UPDATED: Tuesday, May 4, 2004 08:26
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VIEWED: 3716
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Saturday, May 1, 2004 9:44 PM

"When you can't run anymore, you crawl. . .and when you can't do that, you find someone who'll carry you."

These words have earned a place in the hearts, minds and souls of soldiers in both wars, Afghanistan and Iraq. . .and we've learned something very important.

Your buddies get just as dead no matter what your president's motivations were. So no political ruminatin' in this thread, please.

These words stand out to us because it shows us that JW wrote the minds of the Independant soldiers to be very realistic when it comes to war.

It doesn't matter if your cause is just and true, or if it's a political motivation that cannot be truly fathomed by the average joe . . .war is scary as hell, and you run. Alot. You run for cover, you run in a charge, you run for the dustoff bird to get you the hell out of there. . .and at the end of your day, you feel like you've been running for a hundred years. But you can't stop. . .not for a minute. The battle doesn't stop so you can rest, so when you can't run anymore, you crawl. You press on. You trudge. You keep going.

and going

And when you can't do that anymore. . .and you can't tell what's tears and what's sweat. . .and you feel like you've been beaten with an axe-handle. . .and every breath burns in your lungs . . .

There's your buddies. They take your pack, your weapon, and they lift you up onto their shoulders. They begin telling jokes and singing songs to pull a laugh from that tiny little corner of your soul that the enemy hasn't shattered yet. They bear your burdens for you and carry you.

The people of this board have done so much to carry me. Words can't express how uplifting it is every time I read an encouraging word from someone on this board. Those words, the jokes, the stories, the intense discussions on things that have to do with something OTHER than this god-forsaken place. . .they pull the smiles and laughter from that tiny little corner of MY soul that the enemy hasn't shattered.

Okay. . .at 1:30 PM, Eastern Standard Time, I finally get to un-ass the AO (Area of Operations)here in Kandahar.

This will most likely be my last broadcast until I hit the sweet soil that is my home. . .North Carolina, which should be around 7:30 AM (Eastern) on Tuesday, May 4th.

Because of the outpouring of love and support I've recieved from the Browncoats, and of course my family and friends, I didn't break. I didn't falter or fail.

They didn't take the sky from me. . .and you guys gave me the strength to hold the line.

Thank you.

I'll talk to you when I'm home.

==================================================
"Wash. . .we got some local color happening. A grand entrance would not go amiss."

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Saturday, May 1, 2004 10:12 PM

NEROLI

Static, I know I've never said this before...and I should have, many, many times over.

You, and all the other's over there, make me proud.

I will never be happy about us being over there, but once our first troops hit that dirt, that no longer mattered. That day it became about supporting the troops overseas, giving their blood, sweat and tears for this Country.

Come back safe.

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Saturday, May 1, 2004 10:29 PM

TOOMANYMEMORIES

Static, God bless you and all of the other soldiers over there. I hope and pray that all of you return home safely. You could never be thanked enough for all that you have done.

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Sunday, May 2, 2004 1:48 AM

JOHNCLARK

Couldn't have said it better myself Neroli.

(I'm not American, but our guys are over there too, and I hope all our guys - no matter their nationality come back safe)

---------------------------------------------
Experience has taught me that interest begets expectation, and expectation begets disappointment, so the key to avoiding disappointment is to avoid interest. A=B=C=A, or whatever

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Sunday, May 2, 2004 2:13 AM

RKLENSETH

Come home safe, Static. And you know the saying...

Oh, and play Cantr II at www.cantr.net.

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Sunday, May 2, 2004 2:35 AM

AURAPTOR

America loves a winner!

Static,
Glad to see you're returning home, and thank you for so much you've given. Good news needs company, it would seem. As I read your post, I see on the news that Thomas Hamill, the civillian contractor from Mississippi that was taken hostage a few weeks ago was found alive. Seems he escaped, and is unharmed. Man went over seas to drive a truck and gets taken hostage. Does that seem right to you? Eh, no more Jubalisms...

" They don't like it when you shoot at 'em. I worked that out myself. "

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Sunday, May 2, 2004 4:25 AM

ECGORDON

There's no place I can be since I found Serenity.

Hey, Static. This is the first time I've directly responded to any of your posts, but have read most of them and have been inspired tremendously by your courage under fire, even though you might not classify it that way. I have also had my reservations about our mission in Iraq and the 'Stan, but not for one minute have I had any negative thoughts about our troops, who do the best damn job of any soldiers in this 'verse!

One thing I want to bring to your attention, and mainly because you seem to be at home with expressing yourself about your experiences, is that I recently saw a notice at LocusOnline that SF author Joe Haldeman (The Forever War) is among a group of writers who are sponsoring a National Endowment for the Arts initiative called "Operation Homecoming." It is designed to encourage our returning combatants to tell their own story in their own words, and I think you would be a prime candidate to do that.

Check out the info here: http://www.nea.gov/national/homecoming/

Hope your flights home are uneventful and that the jet streams hurry you back to NC in record time. I doubt if your princess would be jealous if you kissed the dirt on your return.

Keep Flying!

wo men ren ran zai fei xing.

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Sunday, May 2, 2004 6:26 AM

CYBERSNARK

We'll be sending up a cheer for you Tuesday, dude.

Clear skies.

-----
We applied the cortical electrodes but were unable to get a neural reaction from either patient.

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Sunday, May 2, 2004 6:29 AM

SHINY

Hey Stat, let me know if you and Princess ever plan to drop by the San Francisco area; we'll treat you to some fresh homemade bao and cider.

Please help Haken keep this site running by occasionally clicking on some of the sponsored ad links on the side of the page!

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Sunday, May 2, 2004 10:34 AM

ASTRIANA

We'll be waiting for you. May safe travels and fair winds guide you home.

~A~

...I'm still free,
You can't take the sky from me.

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Monday, May 3, 2004 6:30 AM

MAUGWAI

SO glad you're coming home safely. Thanks for going.

"Dear diary, today I was pompous and my sister was crazy."

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Monday, May 3, 2004 6:41 PM

ASTRIANA

Write to us when you get home (and have had some sleep!

), baobei...

Blowing

to your plane!

~A~

...I'm still free,
You can't take the sky from me.

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Monday, May 3, 2004 7:44 PM

LEMAT

(Tears up)

'Scuse me, seem to have something in my eye.

Does this remind anyone else of the St. Crispin's day speech from Henry V, cause I am kinda 'holding my manhood cheap,' right now.

Jon

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Tuesday, May 4, 2004 4:12 AM

BROWNCOAT1

May have been the losing side. Still not convinced it was the wrong one.

Very moving post Static, more so since I have been there and know exactly how you feel.

You have done your part for your country so come home and rest soldier, let someone else carry the burden now.

"May have been the losing side. Still not convinced it was the wrong one."

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Tuesday, May 4, 2004 5:29 AM

ASTRIANA

Keeping this toward the top so Static can see it when he arrives back on the boards.

~A~

...I'm still free,
You can't take the sky from me.

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Tuesday, May 4, 2004 6:21 AM

ASTRIANA

In the spirit of the "I hope Joss reads this!!!" thread, I'll repeat my last comments here:

Quote:
As a general rule, RocketJock, the premise [that we're keeping the thread up until Static posts that he's returned] is correct. Personally, I'd like to keep this thread toward in the top 10 so that Static can see it when he comes home.

It's also a really great way for the new fans on the board (and we're still getting new folks every day) to see how much our favorite show affects/reflects in the lives of others - sometimes in very significant and meaningful ways.

That being said, once Static has announced his return to the US (complete with the rest I'm sure he'll need after such a long journey), I'll probably still add something to this thread once in a while, so the new folks can experience it.

I stand by this statement for Static's originating post for this thread as well. Let's keep showing the troops - all of them - the love and respect they deserve.

~A~

...I'm still free,
You can't take the sky from me.

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Tuesday, May 4, 2004 7:35 AM

HARDWARE

Okay Static;

It's nearly 1:30pm eastern. Your *ss had better be sleeping or otherwise home safe.

The more I get to know people the more I like my dogs.

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Tuesday, May 4, 2004 8:19 AM

TALVIN

Just because he has stepped off the plane doesn't mean he is free to check in with us. Debriefings, receptions, pass-in-review, medical checks for rabies, black plague, and anal-cranial insertion, checking in equipment, checking in for a place to sleep, paperwork paperwork paperwork...

This would be a normal, sane homecoming without unexpected delays. But, this is the Army we are talking about here, the same ones that coined, "Hurry up and wait!"

Relax. He'll be along in due time, jet lag and all.

"I give up. I admit it. I'm a Browncoat."

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Tuesday, May 4, 2004 8:26 AM

ASTRIANA

STATIC'S HOME!!!

The thread announcing his return is here:

http://www.fireflyfans.net/thread.asp?b=2&t=5038

As Static so rightly pointed out, another Browncoat is also safely home from the 'Stan. Lots of

and

for Static and SpiderMonkey, back to stay!

WELCOME HOME, BOYS!!!

~A~

...I'm still free,
You can't take the sky from me.

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