A Child Among Marines

I grew up very close to Quantico Marine base in Northern Virginia.  From the time I was 3 until the time I was 18 I was surrounded my Marines and their families.  This provides a unique and interesting experience for a child to grow up in.  My father served in the army, and I used to love hearing the stories that he told of his service, but it is not quite the same as to be literally surrounded by thousands that are currently serving our country, along with those family members that are most immediately impacted by their service.  Now that I am older, I have had a chance to revisit these memories and experiences to try and define their impact on me as an adult.

I remember when they used to have exercises on base.  The concussion from the expelled ordinance could be felt at my house, and there were many nights that I could not sleep because of the sights, sounds, and bed-rattling shaking that came from these exercises.  There was one day when, not long after I got home from school, I went outside to wonder at a noise only to see a helicopter hovering not very far above my yard nor very far from my house.  I remember the pilot looking over and, seeing me at all of 7 years old, slowly waving before lifting up and away from me.  I hope that I never forget this as long as I live.

I remember going to my friends houses and meeting their parents, marveling at the stories they told of their service overseas and trying to compare it to my father's army service in the 60s in Germany and Korea.  One of my friend's stepfather served on the staff of the Commandant, and the stories that he told gave me the impression that serving in the Corps was an honor that he would not trade for anything in this life.

When I was a child I used to wonder at the attitude that the Marines carried with them everywhere they went.  In or out of uniform, you always knew that they served in the Corps.  Now I know that this attitude comes from a combination of competence in their chosen field and the knowledge that they are serving a higher purpose, and the serenity that knowledge can have upon a person. 

I used to wonder at the pride that their families had in their husband/father or wife/mother that served.  I know now that pride comes from the knowledge that their family member not only protects them, but all in this country, no matter what. 

I used to wonder at the bemused expressions on their faces whenever someone took issue with the military's deployment to some area.  Personally, I believe that this comes from their knowledge that their sacrifice grants us the right to disagree with where they are going because their service protects our rights to say and believe as we choose to.  To be honest, I still wonder at this one.  Most military people that I have ever met are far better than I am.  I would be furious about this, but many seem to accept this as a matter of course and do not argue the point, despite the obvious disrespect this may or may not show them.

So, in their honor, I do what I can to defend them.  I do not have to agree with where they are sent.  I do not have to be happy that they are sent.  But, I will never, EVER, find fault with them for going.  I will never, EVER, take issue with any who choose to sacrifice their time, effort, or even their own life to protect my life, liberty, and ability to speak my mind about whatever I choose (although, there is something about yelling fire in a crowded theater I think..............but I digress). 

I honor all those who choose to wear the uniform and live the life, possibly losing theirs in the process.  I pray for those who pay the ultimate price, and I hope that by living my life to the fullest that I will somehow have justified the price that they paid for me, especially since they have never met me.  Bless all of you who do or have served.  You are all worthy of more than this, and more than you will ever get.

And you earned it the second you took your oath and will be worthy of it all your lives!