Happy Birthday to the United States Marine Corp.

For 236 years the few and the proud have served our country. Many think only of the battles fought but I think of the men today who individually signed on to serve and protect our nation. My 89 year old  Father-in-law was in the Radar Battalion in the Pacific Theater during World War II.  He earned a Purple Heart but never talks about it.  He doesn't talk about the fighting either. He has maintained that he likes to focus on the good time. I think he is one of the bravest men I know.

My husband joined the Marines in 1969. I was devastated. He was my high school sweetheart and I just could not bear the thought of  him leaving during the Vietnam war. The draft was still being enforced and while his service could be deferred while he was in college he chose to enlist. He was not called to battle, for that I thank God.

Both men honor the Both are proud they served and I believe that sets them apart. The way they stand, the discipline, the stick-to-it-iveness is amazing.

The Commandant of the Marines sent a special message that I found on Facebook today. If you know a Marine in active duty, thank him for his service! If you know a Marine veteran, honor them too!

Semper Fidelis.

Memorial Day, a Day to Honor the Brave

On this weekend of remembering those who served our country and gave the "ultimate sacrifice" I am remembering special members of my family who served, yet didn't give their all in the field of battle.   My Father-in-law was a Marine in the Radar Battalion during World War II. He earned the Purple Heart and is very proud of his service. He joined the Marines for a six year tour of duty in 1939, before the Bombing of Pearl Harbor. He never speaks of his experience in battle, choosing, as he has long said, to remember good things in his life. He served in the South Pacific and his mother told of her letters from him that arrived censored, with holes snipped throughout, making it difficult to read. He is a very strong man with courage that I admire. He met his wife, my mother-in-law in the Bremerton Shipyards in 1946.  They married six weeks later after a whirlwind romance. Today we are having a party to celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary. It will be an honor to see the many children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren all together again. A testimony of their love and courage to make a life together that is an inspiration to their children. My husband was a Marine during the Vietnam War but was not selected to fight in that war. I was happy he was not called to serve, but his service, nonetheless was very important to the strength of our country. I am proud of him and the strength, dignity and most of all discipline he learned in the Marine Corps.