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Observations from After Boot Camp

Observations from After Boot Camp

Why did I join the Marines- Honor? Integrity? Feelings? We all enlisted for different reasons. I was in the thick of things during high school – living in Florida- the Cuban Missile Crises- some adults feared this time as they lived through World War 11- and saw ships torpedoed of Miami Beach – planes overhead day and night. Also, we as kids grew up with a lot of war movies on TV and the Movies as well. After my time in high school – was undecided as what I wanted to do = or where I was headed? Decided to join the Marines – one of my friends had a brother who was a Marine and came to visit his family. He was a little guy- but very confident and carried himself with a head held high- and approached a bully among us- and the guy was a big guy- and got in his face and told him to back off and stop pushing others around. The guy backed off as with all bullies – they do not want someone to challenge them. The Marines gave me confidence- and integrity- and taught me to work with others- and be compassionate too. Help those who need help- and be there for your comrades. Teamwork or Gung Ho! was important- and pick up the slack in a joint effort to overcome an obstacle. You are one out of many- but if one or two take the lead the others will follow- and you accomplish the mission or job at hand. I realize that as an athlete you are faced with a huge payday- but I would not take a knee- so to speak- I think it is disrespecting the FLAG and what it stands for!!! I understand that some take a knee to protest the police and in some instances racial inequality- but I feel this is the wrong forum to express your discontent this way in this manner. I also think our President is not correct in his manner of addressing this issue. We follow our leaders, but at what cost. Everything is not black and white either. I am a Marine from 1963- old timer and times change – weapons change- theaters of operations change- the enemy changes his way of fighting too! We are Marines and we adjust as always. Never thought of who I am or what I would be without being a Marine- Semper Fi! and God bless Our Marine Corps and our Country.
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Comments

BRENDAN MCCARRON - May 7, 2020

MARINE YOU SURE DID STRIKE A DEEP CORD WITH YOUR POST. LOTS OF GREAT POSITIVE REPLYS. I TOO AM A VIET NAM VET 1966–1968 1ST MAW DANANG. I SURE WOULD HAVE ENJOYED THESE KNEELING ASSHOLES REACTIONS GOING THRU THE TET OFFENSIVE. THEY SURE WOULD BE ON THEIR KNEES THEN PRAYING TO GOD AND CRYING FOR THEIR MOMMY. THOUGH PROBABLE NOT IF THEY WERE REAL MARINES. LOCK AND LOAD AND MAKE EVERY SHOT COUNT. MY BROTHER INLAW WAS THE REASON I JOINED THE MARINES. HE WAS ONE OF TWO MARINES CAPTURED DURING THE LEBANON OCCUPATION. I BUST HIS BALLS ABOUT IT. TOLD HIM HE AND HIS BUDDY WERE OUT LOOKING FOR TANG WHEN THEY GOT CAPTURED BY THE REBELS. NOT VERY MANY PEOPLE HAD THE EXPERIENCE TO VIST VIETNAM DURING THE 60s ON THE GOVT’S DIME. BOY WERE WE LUCKY TO HAVE. NEVER WILL FORGET IT OR MY BUDDYS. SEMPER FI MARINE AND VERY WELL STATED.

Murray Williams - May 7, 2020

Semper Fi Murray Williams Parris Island Feb 1963 Plt 311 Q Company 3rd Battalion Ole Marine for sure , wish I could turn the clock back and do it again

Don Evans (SGT 63 – 67) - May 7, 2020

Well said Marine – Semper Fi 4/63 – 4/67 In Boot Camp, I was in PLT 327, Q Company.

Sgt Court Conkwright - May 7, 2020

Well say and it appears you and I are close to the same age…..I was at Parris Island from June 15, 1962 to Sept 13, 1962. Plt 238 L Company 2nd BN. The Marine corps changed me forever and I have no regrets and have since found and made contact with 153 past and present Marines from L Company. We keep in touch with an email letter just about everyday and have had 2 reunions back at the Island in 2013 and 2015. I am still in touch with my Jr D.I from 238 who came out a Major after Nam. I have had several Marines from posting on Stg Grit request to join in with us on our newsletter. The Corps changed me and made a better person out of me and I will never forget it and my L Company feel the same way. Thanks for the posting, I enjoyed your take on it…………Semper Fi Sgt Court Conkwright

Ron McIntyre - May 7, 2020

Semper Fi, Brothers—Nam vet ’65/66—–I agree fully with most of what has been said in the above comments. No one loves sports more than I do, played football in college after serving 4 years in the Corp. I coached football for 40 years while running my own business in venture capital, so I have seen many changes occur throughout the globe and am not at all pleased to see what is happening in our great nation, things are certainly upside down and we are so divided today that it is going to take much courage to bring back the kind of society that we all fought for. ——As for the kneeling, I think it’s a disgrace regardless of what reasons are given. Athletes, entertainers and educators should stick to performing in their chosen fields and stay out of attempting to feel important in areas that they have no clue of what they are talking about. I, for one, have not heard a single proposal for fixing a problem or of bringing our country to wholeness as we once were. It is a shame to see people who have been blessed with talent, make a lot of money, get to be in the lime light and then put down the people that make it possible for them to live the lifestyles they enjoy. The mind control that has completely dominated the masses is all a part of the NWO Agenda and the only country standing in the way of world order and world slavery is the United States of America and the globalists and elites are doing everything they can to bring us down, and if we continue to be politically correct, accept open borders, keep God out of society, have no morals, then they will succeed.–I hope the masses wake up——OohRah!!!!!!!

RAYMOND FUSTON - May 7, 2020

Bobby Yarbrough your words says it all!!!! SEMPER FI Vietnam Vet 69-71 MCRDSD

John Mason Sgt ’67-69 Echo 2/27 and Delta 1/9 April of 68 to May 69 - May 7, 2020

Amen brothers, I didn’t watch my team last year and if I see them kneeling again this year, I won’t watch then even if they win every game. They are a bunch of whining over paid prima donnas. Passed through high school and college just because the could play foot ball!

Cpl CR Perry of the Marine Corps 5/27/1967 to 7/26/1971. - May 7, 2020

Meant to say their big boy underwear.

Cpl CR Perry of the Marine Corps 5/27/1967 to 7/26/1971. - May 7, 2020

These high dollar athletes who kneel when the national anthem is played are a disgrace to this great nation. I agree with our President on this issue. The NFL is losing in this battle and will continue to see revenues drop. The. Owners should put on their big underwear and deal head on with the problem children. Vietnam Veteran 1/14/1968 to 9/19/1969. SEMPER Fi!!!!

Harold Allie - May 7, 2020

I think our president deserves respect , and i heard it direct from the growl of Chesty Puller “respect the office” not the person .. Semper Fi.

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