ALEX

I joined the United States Marines, in 1992, I chose the infantry field. I ended up in Somalia, Eastern Africa, in October 1993, and did various missions, both combat, and humanitarian, we left somalia, in February 1994, I was part of the 1st batallion, 9th Marine Regiment, also known as "The Walking Dead", I went back to the middle east a year later, for another 6 months, to patrol the persian gulf, and train with allies from the gulf, plus other missions, I left the corps in 1996, after 4 years of active duty. After the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, I volunteered to go back to the Marines, and again asked for the infantry field, I did another 4 years, and left the marines again (and this time for good) in February 2006. In my two stints with the corps, I served with 1st batalion, 9th marines, 2nd batallion, 1st marines, 3rd batallion, 6th marines, and headquarters, 6th marine regiment. I made the greatest friendships, a man can hope for, I worked with the most professional individuals this side of the planet, the most courageus, craziest, most violent, dedicated, heavy drinkers, scariest motherfuckers, in the world, and I wouldn't have wanted it any other way. To all the marines that met me, came in contact with me, drank a beer with me, called the USS New Orleans home for 13 months, off the coast of Mogadishu, in our off time after operations in Somalia, ran PT with me, cheated in the PFT with me, The ones that I should've hammered a few times for fucking up, but instead, I talked to you and let you slide, to all the ones that ate chow with me at the same table, I want to thank you, and I'm proud to have known you, I hope I see you guys again. I love you guys. SEMPER FIDELIS !!