‘Corpsman Creed’

I wish to thank my retired Navy brother-in-law who lives just North of Syracuse, New York, for remembering my service as a Navy Corpsman during the 1960s.

Along with a Corpsman hat he sent me for Christmas, he included a copy of the “Corpsman Creed” that all Corpsman surely remember. I’d like to share it with you:

I shall not walk in your footsteps

But I will walk by your side

I shall not walk in your image

I’ve earned my own title of pride

We’ve answered the call together,

On sea and foreign land.

When the cry for help was given

I’ve been there right at hand.

Whether I am on the oceans

Or in the jungle wearing greens,

Giving aid to my fellow man,

Be it Sailor or Marine.

So the next time you see a corpsman

And you think of calling him “squid”,

Think of the job he’s doing

As those before him did.

And if you ever have to go out there

And your life is on the block,

Look at the one right next to you….

I’m the one called “Doc.”

So Matt, on behalf of all Navy Corpsmen, past, present and future, thanks for remembering!

— Allan (Doc) Toepfer, former Navy Corpsman, Pensacola

Maranatha!

Andy Marlette’s cartoon, “Pathetic” was right on! Actually it was rather generous.

Ad nauseam I listened to John Kerry’s speech.

He dared say something like Obama’s administration supported Israel more than any other. Not true!

Obama’s shunning Netanyahu more than once was despicable. The vindictive anti-Israel resolution slapped God in the face, were that possible.

God will bless those who bless Israel, curse those who don’t (Gen 12:3). Don’t forget the Palestinians won’t recognize Israel’s existence even though the latter have bent over backwards in accommodations.

I pondered why Kerry was pushing the disastrous Iran Nuclear Deal.

In 2009 his physician daughter married an Iranian physician. Their wedding party photo was lovely. Their best man is the son of Kerry’s counterpart discovered by Alan West, the great black American, former U.S. Army officer and Florida legislator.

Kerry should have recused himself from negotiations.

The reports that Iran got everything and America nothing make sense now. It’s obvious Kerry had Iran’s interest at heart rather than America’s.

It’s quite possible that because of his relationship with the sponsor of terrorism that killed more Americans than 9/11. Shame, shame!

Keep praying for America, loving our enemies, even terrorists, all for whom Jesus Christ, our only Hope, died. God bless us all as only He can. Maranatha!

— Chrys Holley, Milton

Thanks for nothin’

I would like to express thanks to several people for issues last year.

Thank you to all the irresponsible people in Ashley Plantation and elsewhere that did not lock their cars and allowed thieves to easily steal items. This will allow the insurance companies to raise everyone's rates to protect their profits.

And to those that lost firearms from these unlocked cars, I thank you for allowing another illegal gun to be on the streets. I only wish there were laws to charge you with aiding and abetting a crime.

Thank you to the PNJ and WEAR for not giving the Summer Fest Jazz concert any publicity. We finally got top shelf jazz performers to play here and there was absolutely no coverage of the event.

— Mike Adams, Pace

Nothing ‘free’ about it

As a military veteran with 32 years of Naval service (16 enlisted, 16 commissioned) I would like to respond to Mr. Robinson’s letter, that suggested that my Tricare for Life and the other retirees and their qualifying family members be taken away or paid for.

Sir, enlisted or commissioned is not of concern. The difference is that we have served 24/7 for 20 plus years at peon wages, compared to those civilians with similar skills. I am sure that you have never served a day for your country, but our sacrifices kept you secure.

I guess it is okay to provide illegals and other low income folks with cost-free Medicaid and to send our money to foreign countries because, you never mentioned them. You need to enlist in one of the services to get a handle on what we gave for our “free” medical care, for which I have to pay an annual fee for my wife’s Tricare and purchase Medicare Plan B to get my Tricare. It’s NOT FREE!

— Lcdr. (LDO) Rodric G. Hammond, USN Ret., Pensacola

Racism alive with liberals

This recently released video of a white special needs man being tortured by a group of young blacks, eighteen and older, is absolutely sickening.

Taking race out of the subject, if it happened to anyone caused by any one group, it is beyond hateful so it is a hate crime, period!

A hateful statement is hate but not a crime. If the group were white and the victim black it would meet the specific definition of a hate crime based on racism.

But reverse it as the actual act happened in reality and the police are still investigating a kidnapping, a 48-hour beating filmed and streamed live over Facebook.

This happened in the liberal Democrat's backyard of Chicago, Illinois. This is not just a stupid decision by young teens – stealing a six-pack of beer from a store is a stupid decision. Make America sick again. I'm sorry but if this isn't already a sick portion of America, I don't know what is!

And the mixed gender of teens were the age of Barack Obama's children, but you won't see him identify with them, I guarantee you!

Yes, racism is still alive and well in the liberal Democrat community!

— Steven King, Milton

Congress more crooked than Trump

All this attention on Trump’s business connections has me asking why no one is questioning the business associates of the House and Senate?

Ask yourself how their "accumulated wealth" continues to increase year after year in a public service job?

Many become multi-millionaires working for the government!

Surely they are all squeaky clean and not doing any business on the side to line their pockets!

Yeah right, let’s discuss some swamp land for sale in Washington... after Trump drains it!!

— J R Darnell, Pace