Still In the Fight | WallStreetOasis - Semper Fi Fund€¦ · remember ever thinking about losing...
14
WallStreetOasis.com » Blogs » Edmundo Braverman's blog by Edmundo Braverman ST (Almost Human, 8489 Points) STILL IN THE FIGHT on 9/7/11 at 8:01am When I got the opportunity to spend a few days aboard Ramstein Air Force Base in Germany this summer I jumped at it. First of all, I don't get back to America much (I've only been twice since moving to Paris in 2008) so I was looking forward to a little slice of home less than five hours from Paris. Second, Ramstein was my last stop before landing in Saudi Arabia for the Gulf War back in August of 1990, so I was anxious to see the place again. I'm pretty sure Ramstein is the largest US military base in Europe, and maybe even the world. The place is enormous. And it was just like being back in the States. You pay for everything with US dollars, everyone speaks English, and they've got so many restaurants and fast food joints it's unbelievable. The sight of a Popeye's Fried Chicken almost brought a tear to this New Orleans boy's eye. We ate at Chili's and Macaroni Grill. Taco Bell. Burger King. Johnny Rocket's. I took my kids to see Kung Fu Panda 2 at the multi-plex (you read that right) and it was $9 for all three of us. The base exchange is a friggin' mall to rival anything you'd find in the American suburbs. It was just like being home. Beneath the veneer of fun and games, though, lies the real purpose of the base. And for someone who was in the business, it was impossible to miss the subtle (and none-too-subtle) cues that we are at war. And some of the guys I encountered there have paid a heavy price. I was struck by the number of injured vets I saw. The number of handicapped stalls in the men's rooms. The kid in line at Subway doing his best to cover his burn scars with his popped collar. The thousand-yard stares on the faces of the guys waiting to catch their flight back into the shit. Young guys who will suffer damage the rest of their lives. And I was struck by how lucky I was. Back in my little war, it was a relatively easy thing to come to grips with the fact that you might die. We all got our heads around it sooner or later. But I honestly can't remember ever thinking about losing my legs, or being blinded, or having to shit in a bag for the rest of my life. Looking at some of these guys, I get a definite, "There but for the grace of God go I." kind of feeling. And I think I would've preferred death. FINANCIAL MODELING MENTORS INTERVIEW GUIDES JOB BOARD RESUME REVIEW GMAT IN RECENT FORUMS GROUPS FAQS LOGIN JOI 50% Off Mock Interviews - Email [email protected] to Learn More. Still In the Fight | WallStreetOasis.com http://www.wallstreetoasis.com/blog/still-in-the-fight 1 of 14 9/13/11 9:39 AM
Transcript of Still In the Fight | WallStreetOasis - Semper Fi Fund€¦ · remember ever thinking about losing...
WallStreetOasis.com » Blogs » Edmundo Braverman's blog
by Edmundo Braverman ST (Almost Human, 8489 Points)STILL IN THE FIGHT
on 9/7/11 at 8:01am
When I got the opportunity to spend a few days aboardRamstein Air Force Base in Germany this summer I jumpedat it. First of all, I don't get back to America much (I'veonly been twice since moving to Paris in 2008) so I was looking forward toa little slice of home less than five hours from Paris. Second, Ramstein wasmy last stop before landing in Saudi Arabia for the Gulf War back inAugust of 1990, so I was anxious to see the place again.
I'm pretty sure Ramstein is the largest US military base in Europe, andmaybe even the world. The place is enormous. And it was just like beingback in the States. You pay for everything with US dollars, everyone speaks
English, and they've got so many restaurants and fast food joints it's unbelievable. The sight of a Popeye'sFried Chicken almost brought a tear to this New Orleans boy's eye.
We ate at Chili's and Macaroni Grill. Taco Bell. Burger King. Johnny Rocket's. I took my kids to see Kung FuPanda 2 at the multi-plex (you read that right) and it was $9 for all three of us. The base exchange is afriggin' mall to rival anything you'd find in the American suburbs. It was just like being home.
Beneath the veneer of fun and games, though, lies the real purpose of the base. And for someone who wasin the business, it was impossible to miss the subtle (and none-too-subtle) cues that we are at war. Andsome of the guys I encountered there have paid a heavy price.
I was struck by the number of injured vets I saw. The number of handicapped stalls in the men's rooms.The kid in line at Subway doing his best to cover his burn scars with his popped collar. The thousand-yardstares on the faces of the guys waiting to catch their flight back into the shit. Young guys who will sufferdamage the rest of their lives.
And I was struck by how lucky I was. Back in my little war, it was a relatively easy thing to come to gripswith the fact that you might die. We all got our heads around it sooner or later. But I honestly can'tremember ever thinking about losing my legs, or being blinded, or having to shit in a bag for the rest ofmy life. Looking at some of these guys, I get a definite, "There but for the grace of God go I." kind offeeling. And I think I would've preferred death.
FINANCIAL MODELING MENTORS INTERVIEW GUIDES JOB BOARD RESUME REVIEW GMAT INTERNSHIPS
RECENT FORUMS GROUPS FAQS LOGIN JOIN US!
50% Off Mock Interviews - Email [email protected] to Learn More.
Still In the Fight | WallStreetOasis.com http://www.wallstreetoasis.com/blog/still-in-the-fight
1 of 14 9/13/11 9:39 AM
I didn't really think about it again until my boy Mike Corrado released the following video a couple weeksago:
Just as an aside, the Marine who lost his right eye in the video has replaced it with this. Pretty bad ass:
It's hard to imagine what life would be like if you were permanently maimed. Easy is not a word I thinkcould ever be used to describe it. It's a hell of a sacrifice these guys make.
If you're interested in helping out an injured Marine and his/her family, you can donate to the Semper FiFund. I'm a big supporter as a former jarhead, but other organizations like the Wounded Warrior Project aregreat too.
Didn't mean to bring anyone down, just maybe to provide a little perspective. These guys lay it all outthere for us. All they ask is to not be forgotten.
If you can help these guys out, please do.
Still In the Fight | WallStreetOasis.com http://www.wallstreetoasis.com/blog/still-in-the-fight
2 of 14 9/13/11 9:39 AM
Tags: Military
Average:
Your rating: None
by In The Flesh HF (Gorilla, 662 Points)
WONDERFUL VIDEO! FAMILY'S on 9/7/11 at 8:13am
Wonderful video! Family's been a big supporter of the Wounded Warrior project for awhile.
0
by navyrugby ST (Monkey, 35 Points)
EDDIE, I AM SURE YOU KNOW
on 9/7/11 at 8:40am
Eddie, I am sure you know this, but the thumbnail picture you posted is of Andrew Kinard, amarine who lost his legs several years back. His is also an amazing story, and he is a greatguy. Finishing up his JD/MBA at Harvard.
Most of us who have served at any point over the last 10 years know, unfortunately, several people whohave experienced a traumatic injury (lost a limb/eye or carry shrapnel in their body) or have beenkilled. Thanks for keeping their stories a part of the daily conversation.
http://nswfoundation.org/
0
by onemanwolfpack IB (Senior Baboon, 226 Points)
MEANWHILE, YOU HAVE IGNORANT
on 9/7/11 at 9:46am
Meanwhile, you have ignorant Americans like Soulja Boy dissing the armed forces in his newsongs
Fuck rap.
0
HEY EDDIE, JUST CURIOUS IS
on 9/7/11 at 11:22am
0
Still In the Fight | WallStreetOasis.com http://www.wallstreetoasis.com/blog/still-in-the-fight
3 of 14 9/13/11 9:39 AM
by khatar ST (Senior Monkey, 73 Points)
Hey Eddie, just curious is you can expand on why youdecided to move from the states to Paris. I would be
curious. PM me if you don't want a public post.
By the way Popeyes chicken makes KFC look like white people doing the Douggie, somethingjust ain't right there.
by Scott Irish O (Chimp, 14 Points)
SEMPER FI. AS A GUY WOUNDED
on 9/7/11 at 11:42am
Semper Fi. As a guy wounded in Iraq (non-combat) I can tell you the Wounded Warrior peopleare awesome and very dedicated to helping out vets.
Eddie, I totally agree with you re: some of the things these vets go through after the war(s). My injurieswere fairly light but I've gone to diasabled vet conferences and seen guys who got fucked up pretty bad- burns, amputations, etc. And I was absolutely amazed at the positive attitudes these guys have.
Also, fuck Soulja Boy, go see what Action Figure Therapy did to him on youtube.
0
by MMBinNC ST (King Kong, 1708 Points)
I FEEL THAT VETERANS ARE
on 9/7/11 at 3:07pm
I feel that veterans are under appreciated in America. As tragic as 9/11 is, look at all thedead veterans of wars, and how overlooked Memorial Day, Veterans Day, V-E day, V-J day,etc. are. Most people I know don't know what any of them are for, exempting Veteran's Day- but theywill say stuff like "Never Forget" on 9/11. While I agree that 9/11 is the most tragic attack on Americancivilians ever, and that America should stay vigilant (and some other things that people on here mayfind offensive).
I find it great that the veteran in the pic is able to have a sense of humor about his injury. My fatherwas always one of the guys that goes up to military men in fatigues or cops and thank them for whatthey've done for our country. While I have always found it too embarrassing (since they are usuallyaround my age), I wish more people did it, even though the guys I play golf with that fought inVietnam/Korea would prob think I was gay.
"The run I was on made Sinatra, Flynn, Jagger and Richards look like droopy-eyedarmless children."- Charlie Sheen
0
by Inception ST (Monkey, 37 Points)
I DON'T THINK PEOPLE
on 9/8/11 at 1:37am
I don't think people understand the sacrifice until they or someone close to them joins the armedforces. I had two close friends of mine take a tour after H.S. (they are getting ready for another), and itwasn't until then did I understand the huge sacrifice they are undertaking.
0
Still In the Fight | WallStreetOasis.com http://www.wallstreetoasis.com/blog/still-in-the-fight
4 of 14 9/13/11 9:39 AM
...by the way Popeyes >>> KFC
by happypantsmcgee (Almost Human, 7090 Points)
ONEMANWOLFPACK
on 9/8/11 at 1:42am
onemanwolfpack wrote:
Meanwhile, you have ignorant Americans like Soulja Boy dissing the armed forces in hisnew songs
Fuck rap.
Dude, you can't fuck with Soulja Boy, he's from the streets.
“I fear not the man who has practiced 10,000 kicks once, but I fear the man who haspracticed one kick 10,000 times.”
0
by MMBinNC ST (King Kong, 1708 Points)
HAPPYPANTSMCGEE
on 9/8/11 at 2:21am
happypantsmcgee wrote:
onemanwolfpack wrote:
Meanwhile, you have ignorant Americans like Soulja Boy dissing the armedforces in his new songs
Fuck rap.
Dude, you can't fuck with Soulja Boy, he's from the streets.
Lol, Soulja "My Mother is the CEO of a successful independent record label" Boy
"The run I was on made Sinatra, Flynn, Jagger and Richards look like droopy-eyedarmless children."- Charlie Sheen
0
Still In the Fight | WallStreetOasis.com http://www.wallstreetoasis.com/blog/still-in-the-fight
5 of 14 9/13/11 9:39 AM
Still In the Fight | WallStreetOasis.com http://www.wallstreetoasis.com/blog/still-in-the-fight
6 of 14 9/13/11 9:39 AM
more
Still In the Fight | WallStreetOasis.com http://www.wallstreetoasis.com/blog/still-in-the-fight
7 of 14 9/13/11 9:39 AM
more
more
1%
5%
19%
17%
33%
13%
Still In the Fight | WallStreetOasis.com http://www.wallstreetoasis.com/blog/still-in-the-fight
8 of 14 9/13/11 9:39 AM
6%
3%
3%
Still In the Fight | WallStreetOasis.com http://www.wallstreetoasis.com/blog/still-in-the-fight
9 of 14 9/13/11 9:39 AM
more
more
Still In the Fight | WallStreetOasis.com http://www.wallstreetoasis.com/blog/still-in-the-fight
10 of 14 9/13/11 9:39 AM
more
Still In the Fight | WallStreetOasis.com http://www.wallstreetoasis.com/blog/still-in-the-fight
11 of 14 9/13/11 9:39 AM
more
Still In the Fight | WallStreetOasis.com http://www.wallstreetoasis.com/blog/still-in-the-fight
12 of 14 9/13/11 9:39 AM
more
Still In the Fight | WallStreetOasis.com http://www.wallstreetoasis.com/blog/still-in-the-fight
13 of 14 9/13/11 9:39 AM
© 2011 WallStreetOasis.com | All Rights Reserved Advertise
AS SEEN IN
SISTER SITE
Still In the Fight | WallStreetOasis.com http://www.wallstreetoasis.com/blog/still-in-the-fight
14 of 14 9/13/11 9:39 AM
