John Murtha: Rest In Peace

I didn't like John Murtha. I never met him personally but I followed his political career with interest since he was a fellow Marine. I could not equate the training and experience he had with his blatantly liberal political positions. I could not understand how a veteran could openly slander other combatants without benefit of a trial. I sent him a letter that reminded him of his status as a Marine Officer and called him out. And while I didn't like his politics, his actions as a veteran and contributions in that area are above reproach.

In 1952 John P. Murtha joined the Marines. During his career he was a drill instructor, an S2 Officer, and a volunteer for combat in Vietnam. He earned a Bronze Star for gallantry in action, two Purple Hearts for wounds received in action, and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry. He retired from the Marine Corps Reserve as a Colonel In 1990, and was awarded the Navy Distinguished Service Medal.

Being a Realist means that you must face both sides of any issue and acknolege the good, the bad, and the ugly. So even though I disagreed with Congressman Murtha, I would like to extend my genuine condolences to the the Murtha family.

Rest in Peace Colonel Murtha.
Semper Fidelis.

John Murtha memorialized in Capitol - Marin Cogan - POLITICO.com: "Under marble and cast bronze statues of titans from 50 states, Pennsylvanians and politicians said goodbye to one of their own, in a memorial service remembering John P. Murtha, who died last month from complications from gall bladder surgery.

In a ceremony in Statuary Hall, Vice President Joe Biden, National Security Adviser Jim Jones, Defense Secretary Robert Gates, Speaker Nancy Pelosi joined representatives of Congress, who remembered the late chairman of the defense appropriations subcommittee as 'a great legislator, a courageous soldier, and a public servant to the end,' as Pelosi put it."

FTFGIMAD
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