Hard-ass U.S. Marine cries during 21-gun salute to Ronald Reagan

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• Having some small idea of why she may be crying, I cry with her.

• I'd have been ballin' like an infink myself.

  Semper Fi machogwapo and Cpl Luke Pyeatt

  • Semper Fi

• I think HBO is having a bio on Reagan has anyone heard of it?

  • History channel has a 2 hour Reagan special on tonight at 9 pm est. I don't know if its something new or something that they are re-airing for his b-day. I'll probably watch and hope they don't liberalize him to much.

• Back in Sept. 2004 my wife and I chose to spend our 12 year anniversary by flying to LA and visiting the Reagan Presidential Library. Watching that clip reminded me of the tears that ran down my face while viewing the film they were showing at the time that covered the President's life. We plan to take our kids there sometime in the near future so they can witness a president that actually loved the USA.

• What? But they told me the marines are all just baby killers!

• Every Veterans day-every 4th of July, every Memorial Day, when they break out the howitzer 105's or they use rifles for the 21 gunner, I always cry. I would bet that marine wasn't crying because of the man, but because of what it stood for-that salute is for heroes-all of them-who gave their lives that their fellow Americans would prosper in safety, security, and comfort. Full Military Honors are what they are-emotional, moving, and not for the faint of heart!
  Of course-she may well have been crying due to the honoree-and none of us will ever know.......moving no matter what her reason for being moved was-Many Marines and members of other services have attended the funerals of their fallen brothers/sisters over the last 10 years or so!

  • 10 years? That is as far back as you can go? How about crying over the graves of the men and women who served 40 years ago? What about men like Manuel Thomas, a local man who was at Pearl Harbor when the Japanese bombed it. Or Irvin Butler, the last of 86 local men who survived the Bataan Death March, who passed away this past Christmas? You think we veterans do not shed a tear over their graves?

    That young Marine did herself, and our country, proud. And me? I shed a tear just watching the video. I was a sailor many years ago and I had the good fortune to work with a lot of jarheads, I say that with all due respect, and there ain't none better.

• I can empathize with that Marine... I was in my first year at the Academy when Hinkley took a shot at President Reagan and can recall the shock and outrage we brothers of the Cadet Corp felt.

  Here's a thought to ponder; "Will any tears be shed by a Marine for Obongo?"

  • Here's a more telling thought to ponder: Will any tears be shed by Obongo for a Marine?

    • No... but the question should really be will a Marine shed a tear for Obama...? I believe the answer is also obvious.

    • Mary Anne, I think we all know the answer to that.

• Can't blame her. Who knows what he meant for her or her family. I would have probably be teary eyed too, even though I wasnt in the country when he was President and I was really a baby for most of the time. You cannot refute history and even though he was not perfect (and who the heck is) he was one of the best this side of Carter heck Wilson.

  Would she get in trouble for that?

  • He changed the world. Now that Woody Wilson fella, he was not so good. He has a few dubious distinctions, notable among these is the institution of the Federal Reserve, a singularly evil and pernicious act. So maybe a little further into the past for a good guy whose strings were not controlled by the elite.

    • Yes Wilson was disgusting. The more I learn of him the less I like him.

  • We Marines loved President Reagan. Nope, she won't get in trouble for that, she maintained her military bearing throughout. The same faces I saw Monday as we got word of our first KIA; Cpl Luke Pyeatt. Semper Fidelis Cpl Pyeatt.

    • Well that is good to know that she can show some emotion just remain poised which she did.

      • I'll never forget the day when this great man's body was being returned to California. I was on the 101 freeway, driving a semi-truck, and he was traveling the opposite direction on his way home. The entire freeway came to a stop when his motorcade approached. People got out of their vehicles and crowded the center divider barrier. Many saluted, many others just stood quietly and gave their respect. I was proud to be part of the group.

        • I am sure that is one of those memories you will take with you the rest of your life. Thanks for sharing!

    • Mrs. Administrator and I were at his funeral there, and I remember I had plenty of tears streaming uncontrollably down my face. I was overcome with emotion. How can one not be, when in the presence of the spirit of such a great man.