“I hate it when they say, “He gave his life for his country.” Nobody gives their life for anything. We steal the lives of these kids. We take it away from them. They don’t die for the honor and glory of their country. We kill them.”

Absolutely true. LaRocque hits the nail on the head.

It has always felt uncomfortable when the politicians talk about the injuries and deaths our soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines suffer in wars and conflicts overseas as giving their lives for our freedom. That idea chafes the mind. LaRocque is correct.

Bullshit. Offensive and dishonorable to everyone who has worn a uniform.

MG Smedley Butler was of a similar opinion. He wrote "War is a Racket."

This is most especially true for crusades under the banner of the altogether corrupt and self serving UN. If America is to be at war it must by Constitutional Law be declared by Congress. And then only in the face of a Clear and Present Danger. This manufactured "War on Terror" is a blatant ruse to take away the rights of Americans and enrich the Military Industrial Machine and its political bedmates. We've become inventory...not citizens.

I don't know how to rate this or comment on it with stars. There are two (2) totally different perspectives here: 1. from the honorable soldier (with full knowledge of truth and the involved politics OR, he being fully deceived). His "all" is offered to a people and land he loves; AND, 2. from a realistic overview, knowing the persuasion of a occupying statist theocracy (complete with its schools, media, and otherwise social propaganda tools) and its perverse goals. All the above comments are accurate.

Nowadays Congress doesn't declare war, the Presidents just send troops and we call them by other names, like "police actions". The "war" in Korea was one example. It was very like a war to the soldiers whofought,died, or were maimed for life.

And here is another perceptive and humanitarian truth of war: "He who joyfully marches to music in rank and file has already earned my contempt. He has been given a large brain by mistake, science for him the spinal cord would fully suffice. This disgrace to civilization should be done away with at once. Heroism at command, senseless brutality, deplorable love-of-country stance, how violently I hate all this, how despicable an ignorable war is; I would rather be torn to shreds than be a part of so base an action! It is my conviction that killing under the cloak of war is nothing but an act of murder." -- Albert Einstein

Pre-emptive defense is in fact an offense, it is an invasion. We were lied to about Iraq, and we are lied to about Afghanistan and the rest of US military maneuvers in the Middle East. "To die for an idea: it is unquestionably noble. But how much nobler it would be if men died for ideas that were true." H.L. Mencken

Truth hurts frank knows look at his comment

This man was a disgrace to his uniform for trivializing men with honor and dignity.

In reality, not one solitary American has died defending his country since the last Confederate soldier fell while defending his country from United States military aggression.

Interesting those who are against this excellent quote. All they can do is yell and use words like disgrace, dishonorable.....many have never been on a battlefield if they have you never wanted to be anywhere near them because they are quite likely to something stupid.

The Admiral simply states how far we've wandered from our country being defended by the "citizen soldier." While gazing at the statue, a few days ago, of of the minuteman farmer with musket in hand, in Lexington, MA preparing to meet the British troops, and 'fire the shot heard around the world? I couldn't help but think of how after almost a decade of fighting and the War of Independence was won that he replaced his musket with the plow! Today? No way! To be Patriotic we have to support the troops no matter where we've sent them to placate the military/industrial complex!

Travel to a world war 2 cemetery in the Netherlands on Memorial Day before you comment on this quote. If you go you will find each one of the thousands of graves with fresh flowers and meticulously tended. How, with so many graves does this happen? Each and every grave has been adopted by a nearby family to say thanks even now some 70 years later. Hitler was evil. Hussein was evil. Osama Bin Laden was evil. By evil I mean the would kill innocents anytime, anywhere to achieve their purpose.

By that logic Paul, and I totally agree, the US is evil. I can see it that way.

I served five years as a surgeon during the Vietnam War- the army is gung ho to use young men for cowardly draft-dodging (deferments) politicians. This man was the first on shore invading a Japanese held island - are you kidding me - a hero in war and a hero in peace. I once had a general tell me to use the cheapest drugs as they were low on funds - lower on character .
George E Cimochowski MD major medical Corp

told the TRUTH

I served as a Marine platoon Sergeant in Vietnam for a whole year and engaged in historical hill fights, including Khe Sahn.
All wars have been created by corporations for profit. Admiral La Rocque was the wisest military person I ever knew. At age 20 I was his personal driver and bodyguard. What a proud and honorable man he was.

2right on

I read the actual article this comes from. I agree that the government is now using the military, but THERE IS NO DRAFT in place. My son is a United States Marine and he knew EXACTLY what he was getting into when he enlisted during wartime. This quote has a LOT of truth behind it, but I feel like it takes away from the men and women that sign at their own will to serve their country...NO MATTER what the fight is about or whom started it. Lets keep quotes in context and stop trying to use them for one agenda or another!