Marine Corps 246th Birthday

 Thinking today about

my fellow Marines.

All gave some.

Some gave all.

There are no

ex-Marines,

especially me,

even now at 77,

still at home,

ready and awaiting orders.

My fellow Marines did not, 

contemporary Marines do not,

fight for some higher authority.

Nearly never.

They fought and fight for each other,

keeping their pledge,

abiding by their oath,

operating with ruthless honor.

They fought and fight together,

my brothers and sisters,

protecting the living and

attending to their higher obligation,

remembering the dead.

My brothers and sisters.

The Marines.

Even when I have not met them,

I know them, I appreciate them, and

I love them.

Semper fidelis.