Shamelessly reposted from Major Pain’s site…
“Author Unknown”
Why I like The Marines
I like the fact that if you are a self-declared enemy of America, running
into a Marine outfit in combat is your worst nightmare… and that your
health record is either about to get a lot thicker, or be closed out
entirely.I like the fact that Marines are steadfast and consistent in everything they
do… regardless of whether you agree with them or not.I like the fact that Marines view the term ‘politically correct’ with
nothing but pure disdain.I like the fact that Marines stand tall and rigid in their actions,
thoughts, and deeds when others bend with the direction of the wind and are
as confused as a dog looking at a ceiling fan.I like the fact that each and every Marine considers the honor and legacy of
The Corps as his personal and sacred trust to protect and defend.I like the fact that most civilians don’t have a clue what makes us tick.
And that’s not a bad thing; because if they did, it would probably scare the
hell out of them.I like the fact that others say they want to be like us, but don’t have what
it takes in the Pain-Gain-Pride department to make it happen.I like the fact that the Marines came into being in a bar named Tun Tavern;
and that Marines still gather in pubs, bars and slop chutes to share sea
stories and hot scoop.I like the fact that Marines do not consider it a co-incidence that there
are 24 hours in a day and 24 beers in a case because Marines know there is a
reason for everything that happens.I like our motto… SEMPER FIDELIS and the fact that we don’t shed it when
the going gets tough, the battlefield gets deadly, or when we hang up our
uniform for the last time.I like the fact that Marines take care of each other… in combat and time
of peace.I like the fact that Marines know the difference between ‘Chicken Salad’ and
‘Chicken Shit’ and aren’t afraid to call either for what it is.I like the fact that the people of America hold Marines in the highest
esteem and that they know they can count on us to locate, close with, and
destroy those who would harm them.I like the fact that people think we are cocky…. yet we know that we have
confidence in everything we do; the fact that they don’t know what it takes,
and that makes them look at us as if we are arrogant.I like that fact that we know the taste of freedom and would give our very
lives for it; that is a taste, the protected will never know.I like the fact that Ronald Reagan said… ‘Some people spend an entire
lifetime wondering if they made a difference… Marines don’t have that
problem!’I like the fact that we are brothers/sisters to the end… and that no
matter what happens in life, we know that we guard each other’s ‘six’.I like the fact that an elected member of congress felt compelled to
publicly accuse the Marine Corps of being ‘radical and extreme’, and that
our Commandant informed that member of congress she was absolutely correct
and that he passed on his thanks for the compliment.I like the fact that Marine leaders of every rank know that issuing every
man and woman a black beret (or polka-dotted boxer shorts for that matter)
does absolutely nothing to promote morale, fighting spirit or combat
effectiveness.I like the fact that Marines are Marines first… regardless of age, race,
creed, color, sex, national origin, or how long they served, their former
rank, or what goals they achieve in life.I like Marines…and I love the fact that I am humbled to walk among the
ranks of other Marines.I like the fact that you always know where you stand with a Marine. With
Marines, there is no middle ground or gray area. There are only missions,
objectives and facts.In closing…if you aren’t a Marine, the next best thing is to have a Marine
for a husband, wife, father, mother, brother, sister, son, daughter, best
friend, or friend.
Yep, I agree with every sentiment