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Steel Magnolias
When I said farewell to my family as I left for Active Duty my cousin's dad told me what his farewell was like when he went off to his first tour in Viet Nam. He said that he really gained an appreciation for and insight into the concept of Steel Magnolias. When his family gathered at the airport to see him off his mother gave him her parting words. She told him to do the best job he could and make sure his men got the benefit of nothing less than his best efforts. She told him that doing a good job did not include being a damned fool and trying to be a hero. She said not to go looking for trouble, but if the worst came to the worst and the unthinkable happened to remember that "the last thing you do on earth is die, DO IT WELL". Then she kissed him on the cheek and walked back to the terminal. He said he was in awe of her courage and composure and overcome with pride in her. Hopefully I won't be faced with the prospect of coming back "with my shield, or on it" but her words sound like a pretty good mantra to me. The last thing you do on earth is die, do it well!
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