Old Young Men
Another sad thought on Memorial Day Week-End
Sorry if I'm acting like Captain Bringdown... but I'm watching my beloved Padres taking on the Little Bears (3-0 Padres, bottom of the 5th), and as per usual, the kids from MCRD (Marine Corps Recruit Depot) San Diego, who will be graduating this week from an almost 3 month long Boot Camp, are at PetCo Park for the ballgame. And my Padres are wearing their world famous camouflage uniforms today.
As the good folks at WGN did a close up on the Recruits while The Marines Hymn was played (a proud moment for yours truly), a quick thought came to mind as I looked at all those baby-faces: every single one of these youngsters volunteered. A year from now, most of those boys will be combat veterans. And some will be dead.
I sure do hope those kids enjoy themselves today.
Another sad thought on Memorial Day Week-End
Sorry if I'm acting like Captain Bringdown... but I'm watching my beloved Padres taking on the Little Bears (3-0 Padres, bottom of the 5th), and as per usual, the kids from MCRD (Marine Corps Recruit Depot) San Diego, who will be graduating this week from an almost 3 month long Boot Camp, are at PetCo Park for the ballgame. And my Padres are wearing their world famous camouflage uniforms today.As the good folks at WGN did a close up on the Recruits while The Marines Hymn was played (a proud moment for yours truly), a quick thought came to mind as I looked at all those baby-faces: every single one of these youngsters volunteered. A year from now, most of those boys will be combat veterans. And some will be dead.
I sure do hope those kids enjoy themselves today.
posted by Kevin Whiteman at
4:06 PM
6 Comments:
You sure know how to throw a wet blanket on a weekend. But, of course, you're right.
God bless and protect them, every one.
If our nation ever stops producing young men willing to pick up a rifle and "stand on the Wall," then, like Rome, we are doomed!
Semper Fidelis to all my brother Marines, and to our Vets around the globe.
I was at that game yesterday with my family. After the game we were waiting in line for the Run Around the Bases for the kids when these Marines marched by on their way out. My son and grandson were all eyes. Even the semi-drunk guy in front of us shut up and stared. The crowd cheered and applauded them the entire time they marched out, with shouts of "We love you Marines!" They were in perfect formation, staring straight ahead, each holding a water bottle the same way in the same hand, the drill sargeants moving up and down their lines. Some though struggled with a smile. Down the street they marched, then they were gone.
Getting ready to head to a couple of cemeteries to visit dead relatives who served. We'll be visiting Camp Butler in Springfield, Illinois, which first was a POW camp in the Civil War (Confederate dead are still buried there) and where my paternal grandfather, WWII vet, and grandmother, now rest. If time allows we'll visit my maternal grandparents' graves too (Grandpa Bean also was in The Big One).
Semper Fi and God Bless to all my brother Marines, especially those who guard the streets of Heaven.
This afternoon: grilling some nice succulent Muslim repellent on the charcoal Weber.
And I just want to say a special thank you to two relatives whose names escape me.
To the ancestor who waded ashore at Normandy, and the ancestor wh died on the Bataan Death March, thank you, and God Bless, and may you both rest in the peace of Christ and his Blessed Mother. Amen.
Mr N,
Thanks for the additional insight to the game. Just one correction... Drill INSTRUCTORS. Not Drill Sergeants. We former DI's are kinda touchy about that! :-)
Again, thanks for the comments
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