aXs ZiLLA 1 yr anniversary of USMC retirement ceremony. TDRL (Med Retirement)

12 August 2011

Posted by Sin

as it reaches midnight in Afghanistan where zilla is, we pass over the threshold of a very difficult yet amazing anniversary. a year ago today, or Aug 13, 2010 - gunnery sergeant ruberg = zilla was medically retired from the marine corps after 16 years of exemplary service and sacrifice. even more amazing, even injured he turned around and deployed again in support of the troops overseas as a contractor, not able leave his commitment and love for the marines behind. he continues on this path today, putting himself in harms way and missing his family to serve. please take a moment today to think of him and offer up your support for his on going service.

semper fi gunny once a marine always a marine
ooohrahhhh

zilla was kind enough to share this highly emotional, key and one of the most difficult moments in his life with us.

August 13, 2010 Gunnery Sgt ZiLLA Retired (TDRL) from the United States Marine Corps
after years of service to his country.Though his service was cut short due to injury,
he continues to serve and will always be a Marine.
The attached is video of this monumental, emotional and private moment in his life, one of the most
difficult for a Marine. Gunny chose the "Old Glory" Ceremony as you will see here. Each Marine that hands off the flag holds & represents the ranks which Gunny rose through during his career.

Old Glory
I AM THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. MY NAME IS OLDE GLORY.

I FLY ATOP THE WORLD’S TALLEST BUILDINGS

I STAND WATCH IN AMERICA’S HALLS OF JUSTICE.

I FLY MAJESTICALLY OVER GREAT INSTITUTIONS OF LEARNING.

I STAND GUARD WITH THE GREATEST MILITARY POWER IN THE WORLD.

LOOK UP! AND SEE ME!!!

I STAND FOR PEACE HONOR TRUTH AND JUSTICE.

I STAND FOR FREEDOM!!

I AM CONFIDENT, I AM ARROGANT, I AM PROUD.

WHEN I AM FLOWN WITH MY FELLOW BANNERS, MY HEAD IS HELD A LITTLE HIGHER – MY COLORS ARE A LITTLE TRUER

I BOW TO NO ONE!

I AM RECOGNIZED ALL OVER THE WORLD.

I AM WORSHIPPED – I AM SALUTED – I AM RESPECTED – I AM REVERED – I AM LOVED – I AM FEARED!!

FOR MORE THAN 200 YEARS, I HAVE FOUGHT IN EVERY BATTLE OF EVERY WAR; GETTYSBURG, SHILOH, APPOMATTOX, SAN JUAN HILL,THE TRENCHES OF FRANCE, THE ARGENNE FOREST, ANZIO, ROME, THE BEACHES OF NORMANDY, THE JUNGLES OF GUAM, OKINAWA, TARAWA, KOREA, VIETNAM AND IN THE HEAT OF THE PERSIAN GULF AND A SCORE OF OTHER PLACES.

LONG FORGOTTEN BY ALL, BUT THOSE WHO WERE THERE WITH ME.

I WAS THERE.

I LED MY SAILORS AND MARINES,

I FOLLOWED THEM, I WATCH OVER THEM, THEY LOVE ME.

I WAS ON A SMALL HILL ON IWO JIMA.

I WAS DIRTY BATTLE TORN AND TIRED BUT MY SAILORS AND MARINES CHEERED ME!!!!

I WAS PROUD!

I HAVE BEEN SOILED BURNED TORN AND TRAMPLED ON THE STREETS OF COUNTRIES THAT I HAVE HELPED TO SET FREE.

IT DOES NOT HURT FOR I AM INVINCIBILE.

I HAVE BEEN SOILED BURNED TORN AND TRAMPLED ON THE STREETS OF MY OWN COUNTRY AND WHEN IT IS DONE BY THOSE WHOM WITH I HAVE SERVED IN BATTLE. IT HURTS!!!

BUT I SHALL OVERCOME FOR I AM STRONG!!

I HAVE SLIPPED THE SURELY BOUNDS OF EARTH AND, FROM MY VANTAGE POINT ON THE MOON,

I STAND WATCH OVER THE NEW FRONTIERS OF SPACE.

I HAVE BEEN THE SILENT WITNESS TO ALL OF AMERICA’S FINEST HOURS.

BUT MY FINEST HOUR COMES WHEN I AM TORN INTO STRIPS, TO BE USED AS BANDAGES FOR MY WOUNDED COMRADES ON THE FIELD OF BATTLE.

WHEN I FLY HALF MAST TO HONOR MY SAILORS AND MARINES AND WHEN I LIE IN THE TREMBLING ARMS OF A GRIEVING MOTHER – AT THE GRAVESIDE OF HER FALLEN SON OR DAUGHTER I AM PROUD!

MY NAME IS “OLDE GLORY” LONG MAY I WAVE DEAR GOD, LONG MAY I WAVE.

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