Happy Birthday Marines!

Will do, really wanted to go on your bullfrog run but I've been holding out on getting a winch. The 40,000 mile zone is creeping up so I've had to spend money on a lot of regular old maintenance stuff.
 
crowrb29 said:
Will do, really wanted to go on your bullfrog run but I've been holding out on getting a winch. The 40,000 mile zone is creeping up so I've had to spend money on a lot of regular old maintenance stuff.
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I know how that goes! I'll prob plan something for Jan of Feb. I'll keep you posted.
 
Semper Fi

30 years ago, I earned the right to call myself a United States Marine. It was the toughest training I've ever experienced, not due to its physical challenges, but due to the mental challenges. I'd never felt more alone and lonely. I learned what it meant to dig down deep inside you when you think you can't give anymore. I learned how to compartmentalize and separate the physical pain I was feeling from my body so I could push on with a mission. I learned that a person can take on anything physically as long as their mind doesn't quit. I learned that your body can take on more than you can ever imagine and still keep going.

That was 30 years ago. What I've learned since is that the Marine Corps core values of honor, courage, and commitment, which were drilled into me all those years ago, have not been absolutes. I found that the toughest challenge facing me was not the time spent in the Corps, where the world was black and white with few grey areas, but the challenges I've faced since. I've found it challenging to be honorable, courageous, and committed in the "real world", where everything is relative and there are few absolutes. Where you have to make compromises to get ahead and achieve your goals. I've found that a society focused on rights ahead of responsibilities, on "me" as opposed to "us", have made living a life of honor, courage, and commitment difficult. I've learned that honor, courage, and commitment are ideals to strive for. I've learned that to be able to achieve those ideals, I must forever measure my actions against those ideals and be forever vigilant. Most importantly, I've learned that it’s a lot easier to achieve when you are with likeminded people who believe as you do and aren't afraid to stand beside you.

The Marine Corps motto is "Semper Fidelis" which means "Always Faithful". 30 years ago, it meant faith to God, Country, and The Corps. For me, it still remains the same and is as relevant in my life as it was 30 years ago, but now, I've added my wife Rosalie, my children Christina and Joey, my family and friends to that list.

30 years ago, I remember feeling invincible after being transformed and welcomed into the brotherhood of the corps, then humbled as I realized there was so much more to learn. I remember the camaraderie forged by the long days and nights overcoming physical and mental challenges with my fellow Marines, and always finding ways to laugh away the pain. I remember the long lonely nights on "firewatch" being alone with your thoughts and feeling as if you're a million miles from home. I remember the loss and hurt I felt escorting the body of one of my best friend’s home to his wife and mother...

My life has been sort of a Forrest Gump story, I've seen and experienced a lot, and lived many different lives, I remember friendships which seemed so strong and solid at the time fade into memory as the years pass and "life" takes over. As I reflect on the blessings that God has given me since I placed my feet on those yellow footprints at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego, I'm thankful and humbled that He could be as generous to someone as insignificant as me. I sometimes wonder if I squandered the time and talent He's given me, succumbed to my own wants and desires instead of to His. I measure my actions against those "core" values taught so long ago and find myself coming up short and yet, He makes things work out in the end.

I don't often share these thoughts as few could relate unless they've experienced it themselves. It’s hard to explain, but once it’s in you, it never leaves. You don't think about it but sometimes it comes out when you hear the national anthem at a ball game and chills run down your spine. When you see the stars and stripes waving in the breeze while visiting a foreign country and the sense of pride and honor you feel at being an American. When tears well up in the corner of your eyes when you hear a Lee Greenwood's "Proud to be an American". When your back straightens and your body is energized when the Marine Corps Hymn plays.

On the eve of the Marine Corps 240th birthday on November 10th, I remember the Marines I was honored to have served with, I remember the sacrifices our Corp has made throughout its history, especially those who paid the ultimate sacrifice so that we could enjoy the lives we lead today. I am reminded that as long as there is a United States Marine Corps, our nation can go to bed at night knowing that brave men and women prepositioned in Marine Expeditionary Units around the world are standing watch, and ready to give their lives, without regard to politics or cost, for no other reason than because they hold the title of United States Marine, and would never dishonor the memory of those who held it before them.

Semper Fi 1985-1993
 
abelisar said:
30 years ago, I earned the right to call myself a United States Marine. It was the toughest training I've ever experienced, not due to its physical challenges, but due to the mental challenges. I'd never felt more alone and lonely. I learned what it meant to dig down deep inside you when you think you can't give anymore. I learned how to compartmentalize and separate the physical pain I was feeling from my body so I could push on with a mission. I learned that a person can take on anything physically as long as their mind doesn't quit. I learned that your body can take on more than you can ever imagine and still keep going.

That was 30 years ago. What I've learned since is that the Marine Corps core values of honor, courage, and commitment, which were drilled into me all those years ago, have not been absolutes. I found that the toughest challenge facing me was not the time spent in the Corps, where the world was black and white with few grey areas, but the challenges I've faced since. I've found it challenging to be honorable, courageous, and committed in the "real world", where everything is relative and there are few absolutes. Where you have to make compromises to get ahead and achieve your goals. I've found that a society focused on rights ahead of responsibilities, on "me" as opposed to "us", have made living a life of honor, courage, and commitment difficult. I've learned that honor, courage, and commitment are ideals to strive for. I've learned that to be able to achieve those ideals, I must forever measure my actions against those ideals and be forever vigilant. Most importantly, I've learned that it’s a lot easier to achieve when you are with likeminded people who believe as you do and aren't afraid to stand beside you.

The Marine Corps motto is "Semper Fidelis" which means "Always Faithful". 30 years ago, it meant faith to God, Country, and The Corps. For me, it still remains the same and is as relevant in my life as it was 30 years ago, but now, I've added my wife Rosalie, my children Christina and Joey, my family and friends to that list.

30 years ago, I remember feeling invincible after being transformed and welcomed into the brotherhood of the corps, then humbled as I realized there was so much more to learn. I remember the camaraderie forged by the long days and nights overcoming physical and mental challenges with my fellow Marines, and always finding ways to laugh away the pain. I remember the long lonely nights on "firewatch" being alone with your thoughts and feeling as if you're a million miles from home. I remember the loss and hurt I felt escorting the body of one of my best friend’s home to his wife and mother...

My life has been sort of a Forrest Gump story, I've seen and experienced a lot, and lived many different lives, I remember friendships which seemed so strong and solid at the time fade into memory as the years pass and "life" takes over. As I reflect on the blessings that God has given me since I placed my feet on those yellow footprints at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego, I'm thankful and humbled that He could be as generous to someone as insignificant as me. I sometimes wonder if I squandered the time and talent He's given me, succumbed to my own wants and desires instead of to His. I measure my actions against those "core" values taught so long ago and find myself coming up short and yet, He makes things work out in the end.

I don't often share these thoughts as few could relate unless they've experienced it themselves. It’s hard to explain, but once it’s in you, it never leaves. You don't think about it but sometimes it comes out when you hear the national anthem at a ball game and chills run down your spine. When you see the stars and stripes waving in the breeze while visiting a foreign country and the sense of pride and honor you feel at being an American. When tears well up in the corner of your eyes when you hear a Lee Greenwood's "Proud to be an American". When your back straightens and your body is energized when the Marine Corps Hymn plays.

On the eve of the Marine Corps 240th birthday on November 10th, I remember the Marines I was honored to have served with, I remember the sacrifices our Corp has made throughout its history, especially those who paid the ultimate sacrifice so that we could enjoy the lives we lead today. I am reminded that as long as there is a United States Marine Corps, our nation can go to bed at night knowing that brave men and women prepositioned in Marine Expeditionary Units around the world are standing watch, and ready to give their lives, without regard to politics or cost, for no other reason than because they hold the title of United States Marine, and would never dishonor the memory of those who held it before them.

Semper Fi 1985-1993
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Could not have said it better! Thanks for sharing!
 
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