David

That was incredibly well thought out and well written.

1st Marines, 1970-72, Perris Island, MOS 0844-Forward Observer for 8" Howitzers and 175mm guns.

Seahawk and Moses, I solute both great men you speak of and am proud to part of their Corps. It is men like that who make it free for all of us. A Marine who is now a cop working for me gave me the attached letter. It stopped me in my tracks and had to present it to my fellow Pelicanheads.

When I first joined this board, I went out to my PCar to start it and it cranked, but would not fire. After several posts on this board, I sent out the distress signal for a local Pelican to help me. Sammyg equipped with a toolbox drove out to my house and within 10 minutes had my car purring. He would not accept payment or even gas money! He still has credit in my book.

I love this BBS and all that it offers!

David

As a member of a rival segment of the same department (Surface Navy) I just wanted to comment that there are few better young military folks than junior Marines, and few better NCOs. I appreciate the spirit and dedication of all the Marines I have come in contact with. Even the few who have come to the brig have all been model prisoners.
If the quality of young people joining were of the same caliber, I just might stick around rather than get out next year.

Micah

David,

Great post! Thank you!

This has been posted on this BBS before, but what the heck...it fits...

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, and the moon, and the stars, so that light might pierce the darkness. And 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.

And the flighty creatures of the air He called airmen. And these He clothed in uniforms which were ruffled and fowl.

And the lower creatures of the land, God called soldiers. And with a twinkle in His eye, and a sense of humor that only He could have, God gave them trousers too short, and covers too large, and pockets to warm their hands. And to adorn their uniforms, God gave them badges. And He gave them cords. And He gave them ribbons... and patches... and stars... and bells. He gave them emblems... and crests... and all sorts of shiny things that glittered... and devices that dangled. When you're God, you tend to get carried away in a big way.

And on the 7th day, as you know, God rested. And on the 8th day at 0730, God looked down upon the earth and was not happy.

GOD WAS NOT HAPPY!

So He thought about His labors, and in His infinite wisdom, God created a divine creature and this He called a Marine. And these Marines whom God created in His own image, were to be of the air, the land, and the sea. And these He gave many wonderful uniforms.

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 they might score with the ladies on Saturday night, and impress the hell outta everybody!

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! But He thought about it, and thought about it, and finally satisfied Himself in knowing that, well, not everybody can be a Marine...

Semper fi, Leathernecks!!!!!

Randy

1966, I talked to a "kid" who'd just enlisted to be a Navy Medic, saying he wanted to serve on a hospital ship. I didn't have the heart to tell him that the Marines don't have medics, they use Navy medics...I've often wondered how he fared...

Navy Corpsmen (Navy Medics) are some of the best men and women to have ever served with the Marine Corps.

Right Art? (azasadny) :D

Randy

He was a damned nice kid back then...I figured you guys would take care of those who take care of you, right? :)

Navy Corpsmen are some of the bravest of the brave. They serve alongside combat units providing aid to the injured in the heat of battle.

David

Like a brother!

Randy

My dad was a Navy corpsman. In WWII he was in the Pacific and since he was tall and fast, he was a "runner"...the guy they sent out under fire with the one-man stretcher to bring back the guys who went down. Said that the most used thing in his bag was gauze and morphine.

That's about all I've ever gotten out of him wrt the war. That and the name or two of ships he served on. I can only imagine what he saw...

Todd,
Maybe one day he will share it with you. My father was in WWII in Battle of the Bulge. He was wounded and recieved a bronze star and purple heart.

As a kid growing up I often asked him what he did to get these awards. He would tell me they just give those out.

Any way just a couple years ago he finally was very candid about what he went through. After all those years he was finally ready to share his story.

It was a very moving story to say the least. He was definitely from a special generation.

His and my uncles service was what made me feel it my duty to serve as well. I am thankful there are still men and women feel that call to duty.

No matter what some people here may say it is still an honor.

I have two questions.
1) Why do all groups have to put down another? This childlike behavior is best left on the playgrounds. Inherent insecurity should be overcome when you mature. I have met and served with heroic people from all branches of the military and civilian life.

2) Why does anyone listen or respond to fastpat?

Richard, 10th Special Forces

:ROFLMAO:

Richard, I think of the different branches of service like brothers. If brothers are not with others they fight like cats and dogs. But let someone else mess with your brother and the fight is on.

As far as your second question, more people need to do what I did. Put him on your ignore list. That way you don't get angry and tempted to respond.

+1

Oh and I don't remember being called a sailor until after I graduated boot camp. They always called us Recruit or Rick for short. I always felt that the Marines were the true hero's of our day. I just sit around on a ship in the A/C and wait for the order to shoot.

Richard, you are right. It is a friendly jest, just as Marine units do amongst themselves. It is competetion among grown boys with battle skills.

I admire all who serve in the military, David

And as far as FastPatsy goes, I know you are right about ignoring him. It is fun to play with his small closed mind. He lives in a different world than I do.

I think I do as well. In my world, there is no honour in murdering women and children, planting false evidence, covering it up and lying to investigators.

I think in your world, you call this.... 'ow you say? Esprit de corp?

In your fantasy world of socialist utopia any atrocity we may or may not have commited is child's play next to anything your philosophy will usher in.

War is hell. We are still the most humane military on the face of the planet, in fact this "humane"ity is costing us American lives...The American media and Democrats have a self-serving agenda, an agenda to regain power...How else do you explain the focus on the negative and the blackout of the positive? If the media was objective and honest, this recent media concoction would be less than noteworthy and forgotten quickly.

Allan Akbar = Terrorist lover (maybe #22 of 9/11)

David

Out of all the services the Marines, definately have the most pride.
I was in Army Aviation, when I talk to other former Army people, it's like "oh yeah I was in the Army too, see ya later". No pride at all. Makes me sick. Put two Marines together , totally different.
Like they say, "Once a Marine always a Marine" .