Peter, Anytime I hear someone belittle the reserves, or the National Guard, I tell them about the 36th Infantry division in WW2. The entire division was made up of guard units from Texas, and Oklahoma. These men had to hit the beaches of Anzio, and Salerno, against crack Nazi troops, artillery, and panzers. Thousands were killed, and wounded, but they still kept fighting forward and secured these footholds into Italy. I knew of a unit from Caldwell, Texas that was in that division. When the battle was won, only 3 men remained standing.
No one will ever call a member of the reserves, or National Guard, a draft dodger, or coward, in my presence, without being sorry for doing so.
I'll get back later. Have chores to do. |
