January 13, 2004

Oh they are magnificent!

They fight everyday for their fellow man, valuing his freedom, his family, his life on par with or even higher than their own.  They respect cultures they don’t fully understand, or if they do understand, cultures vastly different from their own, and they do so all day, every day, so that their faith in the individual to choose for himself does not stand out as lip service only.  They care more about the lives of their enemies’ children than the enemy does.  With tender hearts and echoes of their own offspring, they go out of their way to inflict as little human suffering upon these sacrificial lambs--gleefully offered up by their own parents—as humanly and humanely possible....even if it means that their kindness and mercy is returned in the form of their own destruction. 

They are the American Fighting Man—warriors extraordinaire—and I’m not just speaking of the ones in Iraq.

It has been my pleasure and honor in the past few years to become acquainted with some outstanding men fighting the frontlines of wars at home.  It is no surprise either that most are soldiers themselves—past or current—and know from experience what it takes to do the right thing in the face of overwhelming odds.  Those I admire who haven’t served have striven to emulate the characteristics of the American Warrior in the state-side battles they fight, many on behalf of their frontline champions. 

While I was thrilled—and surprised—to see that TIME declared The American Soldier their Politically Castrated Persons of the Year, I have my own list that I proudly declare as the AMERICA’S WAR CHICK Most Wonderful Men of the Year.  (Yes, I said men—I have yet to be Politically Castrated!)

I’ll start with the most heartbreaking loss of 2003, my Honorary Memoriam.  American Warrior Gen. Raymond Davis, USMC ret., recipient of the Medal of Honor during the Battle of Chosin, three-war veteran, America’s most highly decorated Marine and true man extraordinaire, returned to the Heaven that birthed him September 3, 2003.  His remarkable 88 years read like a scriptural tome; Heaven’s gain is our loss…but knowing Gen. Davis to be the man he is, I am positive he is fighting for America, Freedom, and God as fiercely from the other side as he did while here.  God blessed that man, and in turn, that man blessed us.  He was my friend, humble always, decent beyond words, and I miss him.

Now we’ll turn to my Standing With Israel nominees.  There’s Andy's son Michael, fighting with the IDF, and my King Solomon buddy Shlomi.  It doesn’t stop there, and how lucky we are!  William Welty is a tireless fighter, and Gerald Honigman of Israel Insider and Jewish Xpress is intelligent, logical, and best of all, on the right side.  I also must include Dr. John Cohn, recipient of another honorable award:  the CAMERA Letter Writer of the Year Award.  The Good Doctor consistently writes eloquent letters calling the liberal media on their hypocrisy and pro-Islam anti-Israel leanings, and does so with tenacity of a pit bull.  Would that there were more like him.

The men up for my Free North Korea Award, who fight on behalf of the oppressed people of North Korea—and who sound the war-cry of eliminating Kim’s Stalinist regime—have my utmost respect.  Edward Kim tells it like it is, and isn’t afraid to call a spade the “Ace of  Spades” when it comes to Total Dics.  Gabriel Schoenfeld is one of the few who takes on all comers, including this current most evil of regimes. 

For my Just Plain Awesome award—given to those who endure to the end, and NEVER quit—there can be none better than Master Sergeant Rocky Sortor, Chosin warrior Lee Mead, and Rick Erickson who, with his USMC logistical wisdom and fearless persistence, is changing the world by reminding it of the Facts of Life—and I ain’t talkin’ Tootie. 

The Ballsy With NO Apologies Award goes to Mike LaSalle and Glenn Sacks for their no-holds-barred honesty in the face of the Feminist Hypocritical  “Woman-Good-Man-Bad” bullshit we’ve all been bludgeoned with for almost half a century now.  Finally men shouting that the Y Chromosome is a VERY good thing, that they’re mad as hell and not going to take it anymore!  Viva Manhood!

 Bitch-smacking Leftist Losers ‘Cause They’re Stupid Award is for those on the political home front who fight because it’s right.  Some aren’t vets, like one of my favorite forums, that of Ted Nugent.  Trust me; you’ll love it if you survive!  (heh heh…”Surviving Nugent”…get it?  You’ll laugh later.)  I also love my FrontPage Magazin-ites:  Jamie "Russian RamRod" Glazov and David "Bad Eagle" Yeagley, whose Bad Eagle Forum has long been my top favorite, although I haven’t had the time to frequent it of late.  (Mea Culpa, David!)  And shouts out to FrontPage Magazine behind-the-scenes genius and Vietnam Victor Mike Bauer.  Horowitz, you proved your mettle once again by being smart enough—and lucky enough!—to snatch him up.

Then there’s my World Net Daily buddy and co-conspirator Doug Powers, recipient of my Damn That’s Funny! Award for excellence in political satire and comedic writings that continue to tweak the Leftist Liars and Commie Bastards.  He gets a double honor here; his writings also receive the much coveted Damn That’s True! Award.  Go Doug Go!

My Anti-Hollywood Producer Award goes to my Independent Filmmaker buddy Kevin Hershberger for his consistent and unwavering commitment to making films—both fiction and fact-based—that honor those who serve this great land.  There’s a reason he’s the only one I’d ever trust to make the FORGOTTEN WARRIOR documentaries and films.  Hollywood can kiss my fat white ass.

My Song of the Year Award goes to my dear friend—whom I’ve mentioned before--Artie Rodriguez, for writing the best song I’ve ever heard for the American Soldier, Thank God For The Soldier.  (Lyrics at the end of this article.)  He has been a songwriter since childhood, and in spite of not yet being able to get into the Nashville inner circle, he is the biggest up-and-comer, sure-to-be-a-star it has been my pleasure to ever know—one glance at his lyrics is living proof of his genius and heart.  Toby Keith and Darryl Worley, if you’re reading, call Artie.  He needs the help of those who have already made it, and you won’t regret lifting this former Marine blessed with much talent and terminal decency.

But my ultimate Award, Action:  More Than Lip Service, goes to only two men this year.  First is my favorite old Sarge, The Magnificent George Clark, whose vet-powered Save The Montagnard People wishes to return the loyalty and love the Montagnards gave our warriors in Vietnam.  I know I don’t have to tell the Vietnam Victors what the Yards did for us, and what the Vietnamese government is now trying to do to them in vindictive moves to punish them for their noble choice of freedom over communism, Christianity over heathenism.  George is tough as nails, completely dedicated, tenacious, vivacious, gracious and fierce…in other words, a warrior with a cause, and a damned good one at that.  He makes the Vietnam Vet into the two greatest words in the English language.

Second is the courageous Philip Jones, who wants to unite men who know freedom because they fought for it into a party that can bring the Republicans back to the original tenets of their beliefs and claims by electing Veterans to public office.  Who’d ‘a thunk that a lawyer would issue the battle cry against professional politicians, choosing those who fight it out on the battlefields to fight for us in the Halls of Congress?  He is the definitive American:  TEXAN!  Phil, you da man, and I’m joining with you.  I trust men such as Lt. Col. Allen any day of the week over the Clintons and “Weasley” Clark types, who care nothing for warriors and only about themselves.

That’s it, the AMERICA’S WAR CHICK official Men of the Year, and what a year it was!  So long as America still grows men such as these, we can sleep well.  Now ya’all know I usually end my articles with Keep the faith, bros, and in all things courage.  You know that I am convinced that courage is the greatest, most God-like attribute of humanity.  But just this once, I’m going to end my article with the words that Artie Rodriguez put to music for his brothers in the Corps--once a Marine, forever a Marine—because the song says “courage” better than any mere words can.  America’s Warriors, this is for you.

Thank God For The Soldier

By:  Artie Rodriguez

1st verse
I went walking through a field of solemn granite stones,
To visit where my folks are laid to rest;
As I paused to look around, I read the names out loud,
Young soldiers who had given us their best.
Do ya think they might have changed the world,
If only given time?
Settled down to start their families,
But instead they gave their lives?

CHORUS
So thank God for the soldiers
Who defend us every day
They fight on the sea, the air and land,
They live within Harms way.
Thank God for the soldiers,
Who cry out, "We'll never Yield!"
If you think our freedom comes without a price,
Count the headstones in this field.

2nd Verse
Just then I saw a lady
Who approached another grave,
And I recognized the hurt look in her eyes.
She said, " My son's name was Thomas,
He was killed on foreign land,
As he tried to bring some help back to his guys."
Now all these men who rest out here
Would gladly fight again;
To preserve our country's liberties,
And protect her to the end.

REPEAT CHORUS

Resa LaRu Kirkland