A Post Marine Corps Birthday / Veterans Day Thought
Having been in the Military, having had the opportunity to serve my country, days like November 10th and 11th have a special meaning for me.
November 10th, 2011 was the 236th birthday of the United States Marine Corps. The Marine Corps has been well known as a branch of the military that separates itself from the rest of the military branches in that they have been known, as Eleanor Roosevelt put it, "The Marines I have seen around the world have the cleanest bodies, the filthiest minds, the highest morale, and the lowest morals of any group of animals I have ever seen. Thank God for the United States Marine Corps." This is how they are known. They are the First to Fight, quotes about their tenacity, arrogance, and ferocity have become part of legend - some of the mythos of what is American. To be a member of these elite men and women takes a minimum of 13 weeks of breaking and rebuilding, of courage and obedience. A history of warriors is handed down during these weeks and at the end of those long weeks the body stands straighter, the mind is sharper, the senses heightened, and the life has joined a life force that includes all that have ever and will ever serve the Corps.
November 11th is Veteran's Day. This is a day to celebrate every service member who has ever served in any branch of the United States Military.This is the day we Americans use to pay homage to those who have fought and cried, fought and died, fought and survived for this nation. It is often easy to forget that each of them have signed their life over to the United States, to its defense, and for some, have paid that very price. These are the men and women who have allowed this nation to exist and remain free.
I say "they"...detached. It often slips my mind that I am one of them. Though, as only those who have served, but not had the opportunity to fight, would understand, I feel apart from them. That I have not served as they have served. They are the true heroes, I am just one who was once lucky enough to stand beside them. Many do not, cannot understand the guilt of not having had the chance to lay their lives down while their brothers and sisters fight for theirs. I am a Marine, I am a Veteran. But the true heroes are those who have offered more than I was able. Those who have fallen live within me, their sacrifice is visceral and real. I am no hero, but I am honored to be among them.
People often confuse their own views on war with the ability to support those who fight. They confuse the government with those who merely work for it. Service members are not the enemy, and many of them are just doing their jobs. We, as civilians, get caught in the idea of quitting a job when we disagree or when we dislike company policy, service members do not have that liberty. The freedoms many of us take for granted out here are suspended while in service. They enlist out of duty, they fight because it is their job to follow orders regardless of what those orders are.
I have been blessed to be among them, to live among them, and to train with them. To all Veterans, to all Marines, Semper Fi and thank you.
I say "they"...detached. It often slips my mind that I am one of them. Though, as only those who have served, but not had the opportunity to fight, would understand, I feel apart from them. That I have not served as they have served. They are the true heroes, I am just one who was once lucky enough to stand beside them. Many do not, cannot understand the guilt of not having had the chance to lay their lives down while their brothers and sisters fight for theirs. I am a Marine, I am a Veteran. But the true heroes are those who have offered more than I was able. Those who have fallen live within me, their sacrifice is visceral and real. I am no hero, but I am honored to be among them.
People often confuse their own views on war with the ability to support those who fight. They confuse the government with those who merely work for it. Service members are not the enemy, and many of them are just doing their jobs. We, as civilians, get caught in the idea of quitting a job when we disagree or when we dislike company policy, service members do not have that liberty. The freedoms many of us take for granted out here are suspended while in service. They enlist out of duty, they fight because it is their job to follow orders regardless of what those orders are.
I have been blessed to be among them, to live among them, and to train with them. To all Veterans, to all Marines, Semper Fi and thank you.
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