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A Simple Thank You
Last week, while traveling to Chicago on business, I noticed a Marine sergeant traveling with a folded flag, but did not put two and two together. After we boarded our flight, I turned to the sergeant, who'd been invited to sit in First Class (across from me), and inquired if he was heading home.
No, he responded.
Heading out I asked?
No. I'm escorting a soldier home.
Going to pick him up?
No. He is with me right now. He was killed in Iraq. I'm taking him home to his family.
The realization of what he had been asked to do hit me like a punch to the gut.
It was an honor for him. He told me that, although he didn't know the soldier, he had delivered the news of his passing to the soldier's family and felt as if he knew them after many conversations in so few days.
I turned back to him, extended my hand, and said, Thank you. Thank you for doing what you do so my family and I can do what we do.
Upon landing in Chicago the pilot stopped short of the gate and made the following announcement over the intercom.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to note that we have had the honor of having Sergeant Steeley of the United States Marine Corps join us on this flight. He is escorting a fallen comrade back home to his family.
I ask that you please remain in your seats when we open the forward door to allow Sergeant Steeley to deplane and receive his fellow soldier. We will then turn off the seat belt sign."
Without a sound, all went as requested. I noticed the sergeant saluting the casket as it was brought off the plane, and his action made me realize that I am proud to be an American.
So here's a public Thank You to our military Men and Women for what you do so we can live the way we do.
Stuart Margel, Washington, D.C.
Here are two pictures that were awarded first and second place at the picture of the year international this year. Very very touching photos.
First Place
Todd Heisler The Rocky Mountain News, When 2nd Lt. James Cathey's body arrived at the Reno Airport, Marines climbed into the cargo hold of the plane and draped the flag over his casket as passengers watched the family gather on the tarmac. During the arrival of another Marine's casket last year at Denver International Airport, Major Steve Beck described the scene as one of the most powerful in the process: "See the people in the windows? They'll sit right there in the plane, watching those Marines. You gotta wonder what's going through their minds, knowing that they're on the plane that brought him home," he said. "They're going to remember being on that plane for the rest of their lives. They're going to remember bringing that Marine home. And they should."
Second Place
Todd Heisler The Rocky Mountain News
The night before the burial of her husband's body, Katherine Cathey refused to leave the casket, asking to sleep next to his body for the last time. The Marines made a bed for her, tucking in the sheets below the flag. Before she fell asleep, she opened her laptop computer and played songs that reminded her of 'Cat,' and one of the Marines asked if she wanted them to continue standing watch as she slept. "I think it would be kind of nice if you! kept doing it," she said. "I think that's what he would have wanted."
I was sitting the other day in a crowded airport, waiting for a boarding call on my flight to Arizona.
As I sat there , I noticed an old man sitting across from me facing the large picture window that gave passengers a view of the runway. The history of a life of hardship traced the old mans eyes as they stared into the twilight of his years, and as I watched, I saw tears rolling from those ancient steel gray eyes, leaving a trail of sadness that tore at my heart. I got up and walked to him and asked if I could join him. Without even looking up to identify me, he nodded, and I sat down, feeling awkward but intensely drawn to him in compassion for his quiet tears." I'm sorry, but I couldn't help but notice you sitting here alone. Are you ok", I asked.There was a deafening silence suddenly between us, for what seemed a long time, and finally he spoke in a voice that was worn and weary with age. " Did you stand when she walked by"?, he asked.I was confused by his question, and a bit taken off guard by the tone of his voice that sounded almost accusatory." I don't understand sir ", I answered. "Did you stand when she walked by "? he asked again, staring straight into my eyes. " Who "? I asked him. But he turned away from me, staring again at the tarmac just outside our window.I waited for an answer, but there was not going to be any. Our conversation was over it seemed, and I got up to leave, hearing the call to board that by this time, was welcome as an excuse to get out of an awkward situation.I started walking away, but was troubled and torn by his question. I boarded my plane after clearing the gate, found my seat , and settled into it, looking back at the terminal I had just left. He was there as I had left him, sitting alone facing the tarmac.I watched for several minutes, and in that time I noticed a number of people stop to visit with him, presumably to ask if he was ok, and then walk away, some of them shaking there heads, others just gone from view at a brisk pace. And still he sat , fixated on a plane that was resting about 300 yards away, surrounded by military personnel.As I watched , a small procession of 6 men carried a flag draped coffin away from the plane to a waiting hearse, where they stood after the rear door of the black car had been closed and they offer a salute as the car slowly drove away. I looked back toward the window of the terminal, and instantly my tears nearly blinded me when I saw the old man I had been talking to also offering a salute , but from his wheel chair now parked next to the window.Since our craft had used a rolling stair gantry for passenger access, I got up, and made my way to the door of the plane, and got off. I walked deliberately, heading for the terminal, making my way through the crowds to the old man at the window. I walked up beside him, faced the plane as yet another coffin draped with Old Glory was placed in a waiting hearse, and I slowly raised my hand in salute , allowing my hand to drop only when the hearse rolled out of view around a security fence.I turned slowly to the old man who by now was looking solidly into my soul with eyes of countless memories." I know her name now sir, and I stood when she walked by ".He was visibly moved, and he said to me in quavering voice , " Thank you sir , for what you did. My greatest wish these days is to stand again for her, but I can't.I gave my legs in ' 43 and my oldest son in '67 to that Lady, so she could keep walking. It hurts when no one cares that she walks by.I missed my flight that day, but my heart and soul found wings to the heavens on the words of an 90 year old man who dared to share a heart full of memories with me and dared to remind me why Old Glory stills waves as the beacon of Hope in a lost world.By Robert VanDerslice
The Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant in the picture is Michael Burghard, part of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Team that is supporting 2nd Brigade 28th Infantry Division (Pennsylvania Army National Guard). I heard the below story first hand last Saturday during a video teleconference between his Brigade Commander and the 28th Infantry Division Commander. I thought that others should hear it as well, as I think it demonstrates the true spirit of most of our troops on the ground (from my experience).
John
Leading the fight is Gunnery Sgt Michael Burghardt, known as "Iron Mike" or just "Gunny". He is on his third tour in Iraq. He had become a legend in the bomb disposal world after winning the Bronze Star for disabling 64 IEDs and destroying 1,548 pieces of ordnance during his second tour. Then, on September 19, he got blown up. He had arrived at a chaotic scene after a bomb had killed four US soldiers. He chose not to wear the bulky bomb protection suit. "You can't react to any sniper fire and you get tunnel-vision," he explains. So, protected by just a helmet and standard-issue flak jacket, he began what bomb disposal officers term "the longest walk", stepping gingerly into a 5ft deep and 8ft wide crater. The earth shifted slightly and he saw a Senao base station with a wire leading from it. He cut the wire and used his 7in knife to probe the ground. "I found a piece of red detonating cord between my legs," he says. "That's when I knew I was screwed."
Realizing he had been sucked into a trap, Sgt Burghardt, 35, yelled at everyone to stay back. At that moment, an insurgent, probably watching through binoculars, pressed a button on his mobile phone to detonate the secondary device below the sergeant's feet. "A chill went up the back of my neck and then the bomb exploded," he recalls. "As I was in the air I remember thinking, 'I don't believe they got me.' I was just ticked off they were able to do it. Then I was lying on the road, not able to feel anything from the waist down."
His colleagues cut off his trousers to see how badly he was hurt. None could believe his legs were still there. "My dad's a Vietnam vet who's paralyzed from the waist down," says Sgt Burghardt. "I was lying there thinking I didn't want to be in a wheelchair next to my dad and for him to see me like that. They started to cut away my pants and I felt a real sharp pain and blood trickling down. Then I wiggled my toes and I thought, 'Good, I'm in business.'" As a stretcher was brought over, adrenaline and anger kicked in. "I decided to walk to the helicopter. I wasn't going to let my team-mates see me being carried away on a stretcher." He stood and gave the insurgents who had blown him up a one-fingered salute. "I flipped them one. It was like, 'OK, I lost that round but I'll be back next week'."
Copies of a photograph depicting his defiance, taken by Jeff Bundy for the Omaha World-Herald, adorn the walls of homes across America and that of Col John Gronski, the brigade commander in Ramadi, who has hailed the image as an exemplar of the warrior spirit. Sgt Burghardt's injuries - burns and wounds to his legs and buttocks - kept him off duty for nearly a month and could have earned him a ticket home. But, like his father - who was awarded a Bronze Star and three Purple Hearts for being wounded in action in Vietnam - he stayed in Ramadi to engage in the battle against insurgents who are forever coming up with more ingenious ways of killing Americans.
Will they remember us when we are gone,
the battles we fought, the wars we've won?
Will any of this matter to the youth of tomorrow,
the loss of lives, the carnage, the sorrow?Will they remember the reasons we fought,
the freedom provided the democracy we brought?
Or, will this all be passed off as an old cliché,
as patriotic rhetoric from their grandparents' day?Will they remember, as a hearse rolls by,
with a flag draped casket, resting inside,
to show gratitude and respect, if only in thought,
for the hero within and the freedom he's brought?Will they remember the spine tingling sound
as a bugle blows "Taps" at the burial ground?
Will they remember to honor the military man,
regardless of their political stand?Will they remember the sacrifice
and that freedom comes at a very steep price?
A bill that was started so long ago,
and is still being paid by many they will never know.Will they remember?LETS NEVER FORGET
Marines are the United States elite military force. There are several specialty forces within the U.S. military, Navy Seals, Green Berets, Delta Force and other units that comprise the US military. Only the United States Marine Corps stands out as an elite force in and of itself. Since 1775 the Marine Corps has crafted and sculpted the best soldier, forming their own Special Forces units such as the legendary Marine Raiders, Recon, Force Recon, Sniper Scouts, and several other Spec Ops capable units. From recruit graduate to the Commandant and all in between, each is first a Marine and rifleman first that has the
distinct spirit about them. When the word, MARINE is spoken, it is synonymous with respect, honor, the elite of the elite. Marine, evokes images of Spartans, exemplary examples of American excellence. Marines have a history, they have fought in every major and minor engagement in which the United States of America has ever been involved. Marines are the Presidents Guards, showing dignity and respect to his front and watchfully covering his back with a reverent salute at attention. The Corps is an elite fraternity, a spiritual brotherhood, for most, earning the title is closely akin to becoming a priest. The Marine has become, and will always remain, part of a mystical fellowship of valor. Grown men speak openly of their brotherly love for fellow Marines whom they have never met. They share a bond, a love, a dedication and loyalty that no earthly circumstance can shatter. It is their Corps, their elite Brotherhood of Marines! The instilled creed of "Esprit de Corps", always imitated is the foundational leadership trait of the US Marine Corps. These are traits of loyalty to God, country, family and Marine brotherhood. It is the only US. military
branch that has never been involved in a mutiny ~ thus the Marine Corps Motto:
"Semper Fidelis (always faithful)"
The first reason I like Marines: They set high standards for themselves
and those around them, and will accept nothing less.
I like the way Marines march.
I like the way Marines do their basic training whether it's Quantico, Parris Island, or San Diego.
I like the idea that Marines cultivate an ethos conductive of producing hard people in a soft age.
I like the fact that Marines stay in shape.
I like the fact that the Marines only have one boss - the Commandant.
And I like the directness of the Commandant.
I like the fact that Marines are stubborn.
I like the way Marines obey orders.
I like the way Marines make the most of the press.
I like the wholehearted professionalism of the Marines.
It occurred to me that the services could be characterized by different breeds of dogs.
The Air Force reminded me of a French Poodle. The poodle always looks perfect...sometimes a bit pampered and always travels first class. But don't ever forget that the poodle was bred as a hunting dog and in a fight it's very dangerous.
The Army is kind of like a St. Bernard. It's big and heavy and sometimes seems a bit clumsy. But it's very powerful and has lots of stamina. So you want it for the long haul.
The Navy, God bless us, is a Golden Retriever. They're good natured and great around the house. The kids love' em. Sometimes their hair is a bit long....
they go wandering off for long periods of time, and they love water.
Marines I see as two breeds, Rottweilers or Dobermans,
because Marines come in two varieties, big and mean or skinny and mean.
They're aggressive on the attack and tenacious on defense. They've got really short hair and they always go for the throat. That sounds like a Marine to me! So what I really like about Marines is that first to fight isn't just a motto, it's a way of life. From the day they were formed at Tun Tavern 221 years ago, Marines have distinguished themselves on battlefields around the world. From the fighting tops of the Bonhomme Richard, to the sands of Barbary coast, from the swamps of New Orleans to the halls of Montezuma, from Belleau Wood, to the Argone Forest, to Guadalcanal, and Iwo Jima, and Okinawa and Inchon, and Chosin Reservoir and Hue City and Quang Tri and Dong Ha, and Beirut, and Grenada, and Panama, and Somalia and Bosnia and a thousand unnamed battlefields in godforsaken corners of the globe. Marines have distinguished themselves by their bravery, and stubbornness and aggressive spirit, and sacrifice,
and love of country, and loyalty to one another.
They've done it for you and me, and this country we all love so dearly.
They asked for nothing more than the honor of being a United States Marine.That's why I like Marines- Rear Admiral J. Stark, USN, President of the Naval War College, made in Newport, Rhode Island
In the beginning was the word, and the word was God. In the beginning was
God and all else was darkness and void, and without form. So God created the
heavens and the earth. He created the sun, the moon, and the stars so that
light might pierce the darkness. The earth God divided between the land and
the sea and these he filled with many assorted creatures.And the dark, salty, slimy creatures that inhabited the murky depths of the
oceans, God called sailors, and He dressed them accordingly, with little
trousers that looked like bells at the bottom and with cute little flaps on
their shirts to hide hickeys on their necks. He also gave them long
sideburns and shabby looking beards. God nicknamed them "squids" and
banished them to a lifetime at sea so that normal folks would not have to
associate with them. To further identify these unloved creatures, He called
them "petty" and "junior grade" instead of titles worthy of red-blooded men.And the earthly creatures of the land, God called soldiers. And with a
twinkle in His eyes, and a sense of humor that only He could have, God made
their trousers too short, their covers too large, their shoes unshined and pockets to warm their hands. And to adorn their uniforms, God gave them badges and patches in copious quantities that only a dime store owner could appreciate. And He gave them emblems and crests....and all sorts of shiny things that glittered...and devices that dangled.On the 5th day, He created some air creatures for which He designed
a Greyhound Bus driver's uniform especially for the flyboys, but He
discarded the idea during the first week and it was not until millenniums later
that some apostles "resurrected" this theme and established what we now know
as the wild blue yonder wonders, dressed in pajamas masquerading as uniforms.And on the 7th day as you know, God rested. On the 8th day, at 0730,
God looked down upon the earth and was not happy. HE WAS NOT HAPPY !!!So He thought about his labors, and in His divine wisdom, God created a
divine creature, and this He called "Marine." And these Marines, who God had
created in His own image, were to be of the air, of the land, and of the
sea. And these He gave many wonderful uniforms. Some were green, some were
blue with red trim, and in the early days, some were even a beautiful tan.
He gave them practical, fighting uniforms, so that they could wage war
against the forces of Satan and evil. He gave them service uniforms for
their daily work and training, that they might be sharp and ready....and He
gave them evening and dress uniforms....sharp, stylish, handsome things, so
that they might promenade with their ladies on Saturday night, and impress
the shit outta everybody!!! He even gave them swords so that people who were
not impressed could be dealt with.And at the end of the 8th day, God looked down upon the earth and saw that
it was good. But was God happy? NO!!! GOD WAS STILL NOT HAPPY!!! Because
in the course of his labors, He had forgotten one thing....He did not have a
Marine uniform himself !!! But He thought about it, and finally satisfied
Himself in knowing that, well......not everyone can be a Marine!
It doesn’t matter where you hide – they can get you wherever you run. They’ll appear like ghosts and fade behind the smoke of their bursts. They’ll come from the depths of the sea. They’ll fall from the sky. They’ll offer the enemy no shelter and extend no mercy.They’re the Marines of the Marine Expeditionary Units (Special Operations Capable), Maritime Special Purpose Force, 2nd Force Reconnaissance Battalion, and they’re coming to a theater of operation near you
The Oath of EnlistmentI do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same. That I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God.
Generations of Americans have given special meaning to the title United States Marine. These same men and women live by a set of enduring Core Values which form the bedrock of their character. These Core Values give Marines strength and regulate their behavior; they bond the Marine Corps into a total force that can meet any challenge.
**Honor**
Honor guides Marines to exemplify the ultimate in ethical and moral behavior: to never lie cheat or steal, to abide by an uncompromising code of integrity, respect human dignity and respect others. The quality of maturity, dedication, trust and dependability commit Marines to act responsibly; to be accountable for their actions; to fulfill their obligations; and to hold others accountable for their actions.
**Courage**
Courage is the mental, moral and physical strength ingrained in Marines. It carries them through the hardships of combat and helps them overcome fear. It is the inner strength that enables a Marine to do what is right, to adhere to a higher standard of personal conduct and to make tough decisions under stress and pressure.
**Commitment**
Commitment is the spirit of determination and dedication found in Marines. It leads to the highest order of discipline for individuals and units. It is the ingredient that enables 24-hour a day dedication to Corps and country. It inspires the unrelenting determination to achieve a standard of excellence in every endeavor.
The Marine Corps serves as a versatile combat element, and is adapted to a wide variety of combat operations. The Marine Corps was initially composed of infantry combat forces serving aboard naval vessels, responsible for security of the ship, its captain and officers, offensive and defensive combat during boarding actions, by acting as sharpshooters, and carrying out amphibious assaults. The Marines fully developed and used the tactics of amphibious assault in World War II, most notably in the Pacific Island Campaign.Since its creation in 1775, the Corps' role has expanded significantly. The Marines have a unique mission statement, and, alone among the branches of the U.S. armed forces, "shall, at any time, be liable to do duty in the forts and garrisons of the United States, on the seacoast, or any other duty on shore, as the President, at his discretion, shall direct." In this special capacity, charged with carrying out duties given to them directly by the President of the United States, the Marine Corps serves as an all-purpose, fast-response task force, capable of quick action in areas requiring emergency intervention.The Marine Corps possesses organic ground and air combat elements, and relies upon the US Navy to provide sea combat elements to fulfill its mission as "America's 9-1-1 Force". Ground combat elements are largely contained in three Marine Expeditionary Forces, or "MEF's". The 1st MEF is based out of Camp Pendleton, California, the 2nd out of Camp LeJeune, North Carolina, while the third is based on Okinawa, Japan. Within the MEF's are the individual Marine Divisions (MARDIVS) and Force Service Support Groups (FSSG's).Force Reconnaissance companies are composed of Marines specially trained in covert insertion, reconnaissance, and surveillance tactics, and some have even received special operations training. The "Recon Marine's" basic mission is to scout out the enemy and report what they find.Air combat elements are similarly grouped in the first, second and third Marine Aircraft Wings (MAW's).Marine tactics and doctrine tends to emphasize aggressiveness and the offensive, compared to Army tactics for similar units. The Marines have been central in developing groundbreaking tactics for maneuver warfare; they can be credited with the development of helicopter insertion doctrine and modern amphibious assault.The Marines also maintain an operational and training culture dedicated to emphasizing the infantry combat abilities of every Marine. All Marines receive training first and foremost as basic riflemen, and thus the Marine Corps at heart functions as an infantry corps. The Marine Corps is famous for the saying "Every Marine a rifleman."While the Marine Corps does not necessarily fill unique combat roles, only when combined do the US Army, Navy, and US Air Force overlap every area that the Marine Corps covers. As a force, the Marines consistently use all essential elements of combat (air, ground, sea) together. While the creation of joint commands under the Goldwater-Nichols Act has improved interservice coordination between the larger services, the Marine Corps' ability to permanently maintain integrated multi-element task forces under a single command provides a special ability to respond to flexibility and urgency requirements.The Marines argue that they do not and should not take the place of the other services, any more than an ambulance takes the place of a hospital. Nonetheless, when a pressing emergency develops, the Marines essentially act as a stopgap, to get into and hold an area until the larger machinery can be mobilized. The opinions of other military men and politicians have, at times, differed, and President Harry S. Truman considered abolishing the Corps as part of the 1948 reorganization of the military. As Truman said, "The only propaganda machine that rivals that of Stalin is that of the United States Marine Corps." Truman, a former U.S. Army artillery captain, felt that the Marines were useless, despite their many successes in World War Two and Korea.
Marines are often confused with soldiers, who are members of United States Army. Some differences in appearance are:* Marines do not wear berets.
* Marines wear boots only with the utility uniform, not other uniforms.
* Reflecting their naval heritage, Marines do not salute unless they are wearing a hat (known as a 'cover')
* The Marine service uniform, roughly equivalent to business attire, has a khaki shirt. The equivalent Army uniform has a light-green shirt. Enlisted Marines wear their rank insignia on the sleeve of the service shirt, but Army privates and specialists wear their rank on the collar, and NCOs wear theirs on shoulder epaulets. Marine officers wear rank insignia on the collar, whereas Army officers wear their rank insignia in a similar manner as that of NCOs.
* The Marine class "A" service coat is olive green (as opposed to forest green for the Army) and has a waist-belt, formerly a Garrison belt for enlisted Marines and the Sam Browne belt for officers. The Marine service uniform is worn with either a barracks (service) cover, which has a bill and a round top, or a garrison cover, which comes to a peak.
* Marines are less generous with awards and unit identification; the rationale behind this is that as a member of an elite force, it is enough to be identified simply as a Marine. For example, with the exception of breast insignia denoting a few specialized qualifications such as airborne (parachute), pilot or scuba/rebreather qualification, and small red patches sewn on the utility trouser legs and covers of some logistics Marines, Marines do not normally wear any insignia or device on their utility uniforms denoting their unit, MOS (military occupational specialty), or training. Further, many senior Marines involved in ground combat operations eschew the wearing of rank insignia in combat, on the theory that it simply makes them targets (as in Vietnam). Enlisted Marines are supposed to know who their leaders are, regardless of whether or not they are wearing rank insignia.Utility uniformDifferences in the utility uniform include:* The cover (hat) of the utility uniform is constructed differently. Marine covers have eight sides and corners (hence the name "eight-point cover").
* Marines wear green-colored "skivvie" undershirts with their utility uniform, even in the desert. Soldiers wear brown undershirts.
* Soldiers roll up the sleeves of their utility uniform so the camouflage is facing out. Marines roll their sleeves so that the lighter-colored underside faces out (known as "white-side out").
* Marines "blouse" their boots. That is, they roll the cuffs of their trousers back inside and tighten them over the boots with a cord or an elastic band known as a boot band. Soldiers either blouse their boots or tuck their trousers directly into their boots.
* Marines do not wear any rank insignia or other device on the utility cover. The front of the cover has instead the Marine Corps Eagle, Globe, and Anchor emblem, and since the introduction of the MARPAT pattern, this insignia has been embroidered directly on the front--not ironed on as on previous covers.
* On their utility uniforms, Marine officers typically wear their rank insignia on both collars, while Army officers, since the introduction of the new Army Combat Uniform (which mocks the MARPAT pattern), wear their rank insignia on a flap located on the front of the ACU shirt. In garrison, Marine officers typically wear collar insignia made of shiny metal, as opposed to the "subdued" stitched-on insignia worn by Army officers.
* Marines wear a colored belt, often referred to as a "rigger's belt", that is color coded to represent their specific qualification under the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program.
* Marines used to wear black combat boots with the utility uniform, as do the Army and Air Force. But in 2002, light-brown suede combat boots were introduced along with a new type of camouflage, the "MARPAT" uniform. (See photo.) Effective 1 October 2004, black combat boots were declared obsolete and no longer authorized for general wear by Marines. Exception is made for black safety boots worn for certain tasks, such as parachuting.
* As of 1 October 2006, the old-style camouflage utility uniform, also worn by the Army and Air Force, will be declared obsolete. The only utility uniform authorized for Marines will be the MARPAT uniform.
* As of 2004, both the Army and the Air Force have announced plans to replace their old-style "pickle suit" camouflage utility uniforms with newer designs similar to the Marine Corps digital "MARPAT" pattern. The Navy has started experimentations on the replacement of their "dungaree" and Officer/Chief Petty Officer uniforms with a variation of the "MARPAT" pattern.
THE UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS... is over 230 years of romping, stomping, hell, death and destruction. The finest fighting machine the world has ever seen. We were born in a Bomb Crater, Our Mother was an M-16 & Our Father was the Devil. Each moment that I live is an additional threat upon your life. I am a rough looking, roving soldier of the sea. I am cocky, self-centered, overbearing, and do not know the meaning of fear, for I am fear itself. I am a green amphibious monster, made of blood and guts, who arose from the sea, feasting on anti-Americans throughout the globe. Whenever it may arise, and when my time comes, I will die a glorious death on the battlefield, giving my life for Mom, the Corps, and the American Flag. We stole the eagle from the Air Force, the anchor from the Navy, and the rope from the Army. On the 7th day, while God rested, we over-ran his perimeter and stole the globe, and we've been running the show ever since. We live like soldiers and talk like sailors and slap the Hell out of both of them. Marine by day, lover by night, drunkard by choice, American by Birth, MARINE BY GOD!!! SEMPER FI!!! DO OR DIE!!! OOH-RAH!!!
DYING IN VAIN :How can you say my brother died in vain,
You werent there you have no clue,
He died for me he died for you, he died for his beliefs,
I know no more noble a cause ,He died in my arms making me promise to talk to his dad and mom,
To tell them he died for a reason, for a purpose,
That he died for a good cause,All he was to you is a number,
Another blip in the news ,
To me he was a confidant a friend a brother,
He made me laugh when I was down,
He made me cry when he died,You will never understand what we endure,
You will never understand what we do for YOU,
If you did he would be more than a number,
More than a way for you to promote your personal agenda,I will never forget him,
YOU ALREADY HAVE!by Joe Toledo -veteran
Were born on an island far far away,
we wear green cammies every single day,
we put ourselves through hell and then ask for more,
to bear the symbol of united states marine corps,we fight in far off lands with desserts and more,
we fight for pride and freedom and for our corps,
we dont ask for great pay or a half decent meals,
there is no way a poem can describe how we feel,when we get back there will be tears in both of our eyes,
yours are for happiness mine are for my friends that died,
unless you make the sacrifice and do what weve done,
youll never get the feeling that your freedom was ever won,freedoms not free although it may seem,
thousands have died yet you havent heard a scream,
when the wars over and peace is restored,
you will go on with your life but thousands never more,
We Are All That Stands Between The Monsters And The Weak:The sun beat like a hammer, not a cloud was in the sky.The mid-day air ran thick with dust, my throat was parched and dry.With microphone clutched tight in hand and cameraman in tow,I ducked beneath a fallen roof, surprised to hear, "Stay low."My eyes blinked several times before in shadow I could see,The figure stretched across the rubble, steps away from me.He wore a cloak of burlap strips, all shades of grey and brown,That hung in tatters till he seemed to melt into the ground.He never turned his head or took his eye from off the scope,But pointed through the broken wall and down the rocky slope."About eight hundred yards," he said, his whispered words concise,"Beneath the baggy jacket he is wearing a device."A chill ran up my spine despite the swelter of the heat,"You think he's gonna set it off along the crowded street?"The sniper gave a weary sigh and said, "I wouldn't doubt it,""Unless there's something this old gun and I can do about it."A thunderclap, a tongue of flame, the still abruptly shattered;While citizens that walked the street were just as quickly scattered.Till only one remained, a body crumpled on the ground,The threat to oh, so many ended by a single round.And yet the sniper had no cheer, no hint of any gloat,Instead he pulled a logbook out and quietly he wrote."Hey, I could put you on TV, that shot was quite a story!"But he surprised me once again -- "I got no wish for glory.""Are you for real?" I asked in awe, "You don't want fame or credit?"He looked at me with saddened eyes and said, "You just don't get it.You see that shot-up length of wall, the one without a door?Before a mortar hit, it used to be a grocery store."But don't go thinking that to bomb a store is all that cruel,The rubble just across the street -- it used to be a school.The little kids played soccer in the field out by the road."His head hung low, "They never thought a car would just explode."As bad as all this is though, it could be a whole lot worse."He swallowed hard, the words came from his mouth just like a curse."Today the fight's on foreign land, on streets that aren't my own,""I'm here today 'cause if I fail, the next fight's back at home.""And I won't let my Safeway burn, my neighbors dead inside,Don't wanna get a call from school that says my daughter died;I pray that not a one of them will know the things I see,Nor have the work of terrorists etched in their memory.""So you can keep your trophies and your fleeting bit of fame,I don't care if I make the news, or if they speak my name."He glanced toward the camera and his brow began to knot,"If you're looking for a story, why not give this one a shot.""Just tell the truth of what you see, without the slant or spin;That most of us are OK and we're coming home again.And why not tell our folks back home about the good we've done,How when they see Americans, the kids come at a run.""You tell 'em what it means to folks here just to speak their mind,Without the fear that tyranny is just a step behind;Describe the desert miles they walk in their first chance to vote,Or ask a soldier if he's proud, I'm sure you'll get a quote."He turned and slid the rifle in a drag bag thickly padded,Then looked again with eyes of steel as quietly he added;"And maybe just remind the few, if ill of us they speak,That we are all that stands between the monsters and the weak."Michael Marks,Somewhere in Iraq,January 25, 2006
Tell It To A Marinethe headlines read with dramatic dread
of 20 Marines who gave their life
in Iraq's bloody strife
how the pundits shake their heads
irreverently counting the cost
asking how many more kids will be lost?
they should for a second pause
and ease their concern
over what they consider a lost cause
they should stop wringing their hands
and remember other times and distant lands
a little history of the Corps they should learn
they should read the stories of the greatest Marine
whose equal few even in the Corps has seen
Sergeant Dan Daly whose immortal words
in polite company can't be heard
who in the midst of Belleau Woods strife
told his Marines to consider the implications of eternal life
they should ask the youngest boot
who's barely learned to salute
why the stripe in his uniform is red
commemorating the blood of the Corps honored dead
perhaps they should stand on Surabachis sacred mount
and lament the horrific body count
and question the price that was paid
where uncommon valor was so clearly displayed
let them go to places with strange sounding names
like Chateau-Thierry, Soissons, St. Mihiel, and Muesu Argonne
let them gaze upon these hallowed places
let them see the tears on old Leathernecks faces
let them watch as The Proud and The Few
in unchanged tradition pass in review
then let them try if they dare
this current war to compare
and if for a moment after all they have seen
believe this noble cause is lost
and not worth the horrible cost
let them try to
tell it to a Marine
"Through His Eyes I've Seen"
Author: Victor A. GiagranteDedicated to the past and present Men and Women
of the United States Marine Corps.Many years ago, in 1969
I was a load of 19, doing mighty fine.Out of school and working, for United States Steel
Pockets full of money, going for every meal.Driving my 67 Chevy, with a worked 396
Getting pretty popular with all the local chicks.I was cool and lucky. I thought I had it all
Then I watched a Marine walk past, it made my skin crawl.He looked to be 40, gray around the side
His eyes were filled with something, also in his stride.I started a conversation. Said he was looking mighty fine.
He then told me his age, he had just turned 29."12 months in 'Nam," he said, with an icy stare
"Death, destruction and sorrow, nothing can compare."He turned and walked away, without even saying good-bye
It made me really angry, but that Marine began to cry."Hey Marine!" I yelled, "I thought you guys were tough and taught how to kill."
"I guess you must be the only one, who just can't fit the bill."With that he turned and said, almost in a scream
"You can't judge a man, until through his eyes you've seen."I laughed a nervous laugh and by him I walked around
He just stared and watched me walk away, never made a sound.As I lay in bed that night, wondering what it was like
Death, destruction and sorrow, the unknowing air strike.I thought of that Marine, I really don't know why
I couldn't get him out of my mind, then I started to cry.The next day when I woke up, I talked to my Dad
I told him of the Marine and how he was feeling so sad.He said, "My son, I've been there, when I was young like you"
"It wasn't Vietnam, it was called World War II."I was on Iwo Jima for the raising of the flag
As I was placing my buddy in a body bag."He was right, my son. Those things must be seen."
"I never want to do it again, but I'm proud to be a Marine.""It's something I can't explain, no one ever will"
"But that Marine was right, and yes, he fit the bill."When I left the house that day, I was full of frustration
The next thing I knew, I was at the recruiting station.I ended up in Vietnam. At the time I was only 19.
I thought of what my Dad had said, and that sad and doleful Marine.Four years later, as I was walking down the street
This friend of mine said, "Here's someone I'd like you to meet."My friend said this guy was once a Marine. So I had to set him straight.
"Once a Marine, Always a Marine," I didn't hesitate.But the person he wanted me to meet, never made a sound
He just kept looking at me, eyeing me up and down.He then said, "It's been a long time my friend. There are things I know you've seen."
"Tell me, do you feel different now that you're a Marine?"No words had to be spoken. I had nothing else to say.
Now I remembered him from that long ago day.It's been thirty years, since I went away
But memories of Vietnam, will always be here to stay.So if you're on the street and see a Marine go walking by
Don't be afraid to look at them directly in the eye.And say, "Thank you my friend for all that you have done."
"For if it weren't for people like you, we'd still be on the run."From Iwo Jima, the Gulf and even in Desert Storm
Make all the Marines that come home, feel welcome and warm.For I'm sure there's a friend or two, they had to leave behind
But the memories will always be there, in the back of their mind.If you know of someone who's been "THERE", be kind and not mean
Because you can't judge a man until, through his eyes you've seen
Devil Dogs: The German Army coined this term of respect for U.S. Marines during World War I. In the summer of 1918 the German Army was driving toward Paris. The French Army was in full retreat. In a desperate effort to save Paris, the newly arrived U.S. Marines were thrown into the breach. In June 1918, in bitter fighting lasting for weeks, Marines repeatedly repulsed the Germans in Belleau Wood. The German drive toward Paris sputtered, fizzled, and died. Then the Marines attacked and swept the Germans back out of Belleau Wood. Paris had been saved. The tide of war had turned. Five months later Germany would be forced to accept an armistice. The battle tenacity and fury of the U.S. Marines had stunned the Germans. In their official reports they called the Marines "teufel hunden," meaning Devil Dogs, the ferocious mountain dogs of Bavarian folklore.
"Those of us who have had the privilege of serving in the Marine Corps value our experience as among the most precious of our lives. The fellowship of shared hardships and dangers in a worthy cause creates a close bond of comradeship. It is the basic reason for the cohesiveness of Marines and for the pride we have in our corps and our loyalty to each other."* A Marine is proud of his Corps and believes it to be second to none. He is loyal to his comrades and to the Marine Corps, adhering always to the motto Semper Fidelis (Always Faithful).
* Senator Paul H. Douglas in his introduction to "The United States Marines: A Pictorial History".
"...in the days preceding the war the United States possessed the world's top ranking Marine Corps
at a cost to the nation of $1,500 per Marine, while it had the eighteenth place Army,
at a cost of $2,000 per soldier."
- USMC Commandant Vandegrift, speaking to the Senate Naval Affairs Committee, 1946
I fight for Freedom, I don't ask for much more,
My God, my Family, My Country, my Corps.
Written by a Marine
You must go to MCRD, there to undergo several weeks of torturous behavior. You will be yelled at, put down, cut down, and physically exhausted. From there you will go on to receive infantry training. You will learn how to fight, fight to survive, and fight to win. You will learn how to act the Corps, breath the Corps, eat the Corps, sleep the Corps, be the Corps. When you finish these trials, you will be a Marine
"If you're reading this, then I've died in Iraq. I don't regret going. Everybody dies, but few get to do it for something as important as freedom. It may seem confusing why we are in Iraq, it's not to me. I'm here helping these people, so they can live the way we live. Not to have to worry about tyrants or vicious dictators. Others have died for my freedom, now this is my mark."- Corporal Jeff Starr, UnitedStates Marine Corps
Take a man and put him alone, Put him twelve thousand miles from home. Empty his heart of all but blood, Make him live in sand, in mud. This is the life I have to live, This the soul to God I give. You have your parties and drink your beer, While young men are dying over here. Plant your signs on the White House lawn; "Lets get out of Iraq". Use your signs and have your fun, Then refuse to use a gun. There's nothing else for you to do, Then I'm supposed to die for you? There is one thing that you should know; And that's where I think you should go! I'm already here and it's too late. I've traded all my love for all this hate. I'll hate you till the day I die. You made me hear my buddy cry. I saw his leg and his blood shed, Then I heard them say, "This one's dead". It was a large price for him to pay, To let you live another day. He had the guts to fight and die, To keep the freedom you live by. By his dying, your life he buys, But who cares if a Marine dies?
I was that which others did not want to be.
I went where others feared to go, and did what others failed to do.I asked nothing from those who gave nothing, and reluctantly accepted the thought of eternal loneliness...should I fail.I have seen the face of terror; felt the stinging cold of fear; and enjoyed the sweet taste of a moments love.I have cried, pained, and hoped...but most of all, I have lived times others would say were best forgotten.At least I will be able to say that I am proud of what I am...a Marine
A True Warrior!Compassion is what separates the true warrior from the warrior in name only. It is said, the true warrior can in one hand wield the mightiest sword, while in the other, caress the hand of the smallest child. What this means is that the true warrior is capable of balancing his ferocity with an honest compassion for the innocent, even while understanding that the innocent must sometimes suffer in the field of battle, whether that battle is a physical one, an intellectual one or a moral one. A true warrior understands that ferocity must always be tempered by compassion and determination. This warrior is governed by a sense of honor and is capable of confronting the enemy, without becoming the enemy.
What is A VeteranA Veteran is often forgotten
Looked down on by some
Cast aside and called crazy
'Til a war needs to be wonBut all the world wants to see
Is an old man with a cup
Begging for quarters
Down on his luck.No one sees past
The faded fatigues
Or that the crazy old Vet
Has holes in his knees,And why does he beg
And why the blank stare
Well Mister you don't know
Cause you've never been there.This same man you look down on
In utter disgust
Was once given his countries
Ultimate trust,Of defending your freedom
And putting his life on the line
Ain't it funny sir,
How he's stuck back in time?Those ribbons he wears
On that ragged old vest
Are badges of honor
Yet you stand there and jest,He has lost dignity and honor
And grown old to soon,
But when the bullets started flying
Sir, where were you?War is hell sir but give this some thought,
Where would you be
If soldiers like him never fought?
So the next time you seeThat crazy Vet on the street,
Why not just shake his hand
And thank him....
For keeping America FreeCopyright Richard D. Preston 2000
Have you stopped to thank a veteran today? For the price of freedom they had to pay? Did you gaze into those distant eyes? Did you see the ghosts he can't deny? Did you think a soldier's heart was made of steel? Because he was trained to kill, he couldn't feel? Did you see the guilt written on his face, For the loss of life he can't replace? Did you know he mourns the lives he couldn't save, And walks with comrades in their grave? Did you remember the boy with innocence lost? Do you really know war's ultimate cost? Have you felt the blast of artillery fire? Do you have the courage it would require? Have you stood in trenches consumed with fear? Felt the enemies breath so very near? Have you walked with God on a battleground? Seen your brothers dead or dying all around? Have you stopped to thank a vet today, Or did you just turn and walk away? From the pain he'll carry for the rest of his life, Did you consider his family, his children, his wife? That watch him suffer in silence each and every day, As he's haunted by memories that don't go away? Did you care that the soldier is still pulling guard? That his heart, mind, and soul will forever be scarred? Do you know how he suffers from ptsd? Or that our precious freedom is never free? Do you care that he still hears the blood curdling screams? Or that he returns to the war each night in his dreams? Have you felt the sorrow of a combat vet? Or would you rather just forget? That war has pierced his hardened heart, And torn this soldier all apart? Would you rather our heroes just fade away? Or will you stop to thank a vet today?
Yesterday I was waiting for my plane, and standing in front of me was a young man. He stood tall, proud, arms behind his back, Dress Greens pressed so neatly you couldn't find a single wrinkle, and shoes shined so perfectly I could see my reflection in them. This man gave me a sense of security, like my mom had just rocked me in her arms. I felt secure knowing that he would protect me, without even knowing my first name. He sacrifices his life for the benefit of people he doesn't know, and people who don't appreciate him in the slightest. His family and friends worry while he is gone, hoping that his brave choices will bring him home alive. When he is at work sometimes he loses himself in the wringing shots, and constant guard he must be on. At night he sleeps little, wondering if his always faithful brothers have also made it back alive. No longer does he feel sore legs beneath him, or the sneering sound of a bullet scratching his helmet, that kind of pain has long been gone. Pain now comes in the form of missed family members, and of lost friends. Staring at their rifle, boots, and dog tags he silently pleads to return home with his own life, but he vows to find the killer of his friend. "Always faithful" he re-runs through his head...."Always faithful." He wonders what people at home think of him. Is he a villain, or is he a hero? On return home he finds chaos, as if their is another war to fight on his own soil. People just don't understand his breed. He tries to explain what good he has done, but some see it as killing. He tries to explain the sacrifices he has made, but they can't see past the confines of their secure backyard. He tries to go on with his life, but day after day he is reminded of what he saw over there. Memories of children screaming in a foreign language, and limp bodies scattered across the streets pollute his peaceful dreams. Empty boots of brothers and sisters crowd his mind. Helicopters overhead startle him and his knees go weak. Shiny dogtags without their owners cause him to go blind. He is so strong and so vulnerable. His unselfish strength and determined bravery gives me the right to say what I want, and do as I please but somethings he has lost he will never regain.
If only I could give him the sense of security he gave me when I got on the plane. I would take the fragile man in my arms and rock him like his mother used to. Reassuring him of his valor, appreciating his sacrifices, and keeping his secrets safe with me. For he is my biggest hero, and will always be. To him I will always be faithful, and to me I know he will also be.This young, proud man is a United States Marine.:By Nature Girl
"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children's children what it was once like in the United States where men were free"
Ronald Reagan
You BOYS sure like to talk that trash
When these MEN ain't around
You'll be throwin' your fits
While these MEN throw it down.You BOYS never appreciate their efforts
And take for granted all the work that they do.
That freedom of speech you love so much?
They fight everyday to protect that for you.You BOYS jump at every chance to disrespect them by day
But by night when you're at home sleeping sound
Those same MEN are still fighting and dying for YOUR freedom,
So you can keep putting them down.You BOYS won't ever truly appreciate
Just exactly what it takes to be who they are
Until they finally say, "I quit," and split
Leaving YOU behind to fight this war.But before you start all that whinin' and cryin'
Remember they are more than just merely men,
They are the creme of the crop, the best of the best
And with or without support vow "Semper Fi" 'til the end.So all the BOYS can continue to talk their talk,
Because the talk is all they have and will ever be.
They will never understand what means to be free.
They will never know true honor, courage, or loyaltyTo all the MEN, you deserve our deepest thanks.
Honor, courage, and loyalty are first born
within the heart of a Marine and through your service
these virtues are distributed as they follow.
DEVIL DOG BREEDA Marine is a warrior; lean and mean.
A time-honored preserver of the American dream.
He's first into battle; the first to fight.
The solid backbone of America's mightA Marine is a lover of country and faithful to the Corps.
A respected peacekeeper from shore to shore.
From the Halls of Montezuma to the hills of Vietnam,
He has given his life to keep his Country from harm.Semper Fidelis is his Motto and Creed
Forged in the fire, he's a Devil Dog Breed.
Eagle, Globe and Anchor - Air, Land and Sea
all belong to the United States MarineBoondocker
U.S.M.C.
"If ye love wealth greater than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest for freedom, go home and leave us in peace. We seek not your council or your arms. Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you, and may posterity forget that ye were our countrymen."
--Samuel Adams
"The freedom of thought and action we Americans enjoy today seems as natural as the air we breathe. But there is a danger we may take this freedom for granted. We must never forget it was bought for us at a great price. The brave and resourceful Americans whose sacrifices gained our Independence and preserved it for more than 200 years against formidable foes have set an example of unflinching loyalty to the ideal of liberty and justice for all."
--Ronald Reagan
