shelty Loc: Medford, OR

The last that I heard, Switzerland has a militia system stipulates that the soldiers keep their Army issued equipment, including all personal weapons, at home. Has a compulsory military system that requires that they serve an 18 - 21 week of military service. Maybe we should do that here. I, myself served three years in the army.

RobertW Loc: Breezy Point, New York

I was devastated when my Grandson joined the Marines----and I prayed every day through two tours served by him (AND his USMC Wife to be!!) in Afghanistan, and while he won't talk about it, I have learned what he (and they) went through there,-----This is a BREED apart!!!
These are the descendants of what we refer to as "The Greatest Generation!" Look at them with PRIDE!!

Flyerace Loc: Mt Pleasant, WI

Stirring article. I wish the new Marine "John" the best experience he can have. My dad served in WWII in North Africa and Europe. Fortunately he came home alive and well for the experience.

Goondar Loc: Huntington Beach, Calif.

Well written article.
2nd generation Marine here. Dad did four island campaigns in a combat unit. Roi Namur, Tinian, Saipan, and was wounded on Iwo Jima.
For me it was 12 months on the DMZ in 68. I'm not as lean, not as mean, but still a Marine as I'm always told.
For most young Marines it will be a defining part of their life and I wish them all well and Good Luck.

FrankR Loc: NYC

Semper Fi Dennis

skylinefirepest Loc: Southern Pines, N.C.

When I die there will be an American flag over my casket and it will be folded with military precision and given to my family. I am more proud to have served honorably than I am in having gone to college. My flag means more to me than a diploma. I am one of the "few', "the proud", but not a Marine. I was in the Air Force and when I mention the few it is in relationship to how few of our sons and daughters choose to serve today. I believe it is less than one percent. I am proud to be called Sgt. Staples in some circles.

coyrahman Loc: Reidsville. NC

I was a US Army RANGER with 7yr yes SEVEN years one tour in Vietnam. Yup I'm nuts! I'm 87 now, kids today just don't care.....

fuminous Loc: Luling, LA... for now...

I'm the only one in my family that doesn't have a uniform stuffed in the back of a closet. In my defense, I've proudly worked side-by-side, in the field, 25 years with the Army and ten with the Navy. During that time, I met thousands of service members... not one wasn't proud of him/herself and their team mates. I'm certainly proud of them and the jobs they do... but I worry about them, too.

fchretdet

Thank you for your post. I'm certain that your son would be honored by it.
Former Marine, Vietnam Veteran, and retired Police Officer.
Now mostly an older retired guy enjoying slowly learning about photography.

tarpon007 Loc: Hollywood, FL

I printed your post. Sent it to many of my contacts. Hope many more people read your post. Thanks.

14kphotog Loc: Marietta, Ohio

I think Israel has the right idea, after high school you do 1 or 2 years in the military to enlighten you to the real world of life.

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

Thanks for the kind words. You are correct in that many look down upon our military personnel while forgetting that it is exactly the very same military men and women who do provide protection from the wolves at the door. Many countries would love to take over America especially for the natural resources this country holds. God truly blessed us, not only with a beautiful land but with our Founding Fathers who gave us a lifelong system of freedom for all citizens. No other country can match ours with regard to the freedoms that most of us take for granted every day. That is why people are not fighting to get into other countries or sneaking over the borders of other countries.

Please tell your stepson Semper Fi from me and a well deserved thanks for serving. I am sure he is a remarkable young man as are the men and women you met at USMC graduations. I well remember my own graduation from boot camp at Parris Island with my twin brother standing next to me. It was a day neither of us will forget. I next attended another boot camp ceremony at San Diego for my brother's son, my nephew. As I looked at the recruits graduating I couldn't help but notice they were all just kids, barely out of high school.

With all of the commotion and congratulations going on I didn't recall until later on in the day that when my brother and I enlisted we were just out of high school. It was January 1964 and we couldn't wait to join the USMC and go to Vietnam. Growing up right after WW2 and then Korea, we couldn't wait to see what war was about. Having actually served in a combat area made both of us proud and thankful for every man and woman who joins the military. There is nobody on the planet who has any real idea of what a war is all about unless they have served.

Again, thank you and thank your Marine for serving. He holds an honor that only a few can claim. I know you must be very proud of him. I am.

Dennis

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

Hi Brenda. I can't agree with you more. I see the kids of today who are spoiled beyond reason and then when they whine and bitch about wanting more they are usually given more with absolutely no work ethic at all. Furthermore they have no idea where their freedom comes from. Just this past week I watched protests in America and yesterday in London from people who, when questioned about why they were protesting against President Trump, basically said they did not like his policies. When asked what policies they did not like they had no answer. In America when people on the street are interviewed about historical subjects they should know, many have no idea. American college students don't know we fought the British for our independence. Many black people have no idea about the Civil War and how it helped to end slavery. Yet they bitch about their ancestors being slaves. The stupidity is strong among many of the youth of the world.

I wonder if it is like that in GB where possibly your own young people have no idea of let's say, the Napoleonic Wars, Lord Trafalgar, the signing of the Magna Carta and so on.

Dennis

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

Thanks Dave. I love your avatar by the way. I know how you feel. My own two kids passed away long ago but I have friends who didn't serve in the military nor did their children. Many of the children don't even vote thinking it is a nuisance. They have no idea who is doing a good job for America so maybe it is really a good thing they do not vote. Bringing back the draft would at least give kids the very basics of military life should the doo doo ever hit the fan and we need people to fight. It is incredible to me that when I was a kid almost all kids had some type of hunting weapon, a .22 rifle or shotgun. Some girls in my high school class went out every year and killed a buck on opening day of deer season. In my high school, the deer opener was sort of an acceptable day off from school. It was a given that most of the older kids were hunting. Kids knew about firearms, how to use them properly and safely. There was never any threat of a kid shooting up the school. It just didn't happen. When kids were out of high school many joined the military. That was just the way it was. Kids wanted to repay America for the gifts we had all been given. These days kids don't care about any of that. It is all gimme freebies to many of them. A shame.

Dennis

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

Actually this was not my son. This is simply an article that my cousin sent to me.

Semper Fi to you sir. Thank you for serving

Dennis