The Final Inspection

The Marine stood and faced his God,

Which must always come to pass

He hoped his shoes were shining bright,

Just as brightly as his brass

"Step forward now, Marine,

How shall I deal with you?

Have you turned the other cheek?

To my church have you been true?"

The Marine squared his shoulders and said,

" No Lord, I guess I ain't.

Because those of us who carry guns

Can't always be a saint.

I've had to work most Sundays,

And at times my talk was rough,

Because the world is awfully tough.

But, I never took a thing

That wasn't mine to keep...

Though I worked a lot of overtime

When the bills got just too steep,

And I never passed a cry for help,

Though at times I shook with fear,

And sometimes, God forgive me,

I've wept unmanly tears.

I know I don't deserve a place

Among the People here,

They never wanted me around

Except to calm their fears.

If you've a place for me here, Lord

It needn't be so grand,

I never expected or had too much,

But if you don't I'll understand."

There was a silence all around the throne

Where the saints often trod

As the Marine waited quietly,

For the judgment of his God.

"Step forward now, Marine,

You've borne your burdens well,

Come walk peacefully on Heaven's streets,

You've done your time in Hell

author unknown

Off to a Bad Start

Well Jordan called home last week and started off the conversation with "Dad I got in trouble, and got an article 15" as the conversation progressed he told me that he'd gotten into a fight with someone in his platoon and that they've both been punished. His punishment included being recycled back six weeks in his training . This isn't altogether a bad thing, as it happens from time to time, that it does mean that it could jeopardize his been stationed at Fort Lewis in Washington state. He also lost rank, seven days' pay, and is on restriction for fourteen days .

I asked how he felt about the whole situation, he responded 'he was disappointed with himself for losing his temper but it is what it is and he will learn from it.'

I am of course disappointed that it happened but am proud of his taking ownership of his error, not something that would have occurred even a year or so ago.

In the grand scheme of things an article 15 isn't the worst thing to have happen, but it surely isn't the greatest either.

My DI's while in boot camp used to say "if you ain't got a captains mass (article 15) on you record once when you get out you ain't done shit in this mans Marine Corps."

I stood tall before the man for Captains Mass in my 3rd year in for something well deserved, certainly not not the worst thing I had done just what I got caught at, and suffered 10 days of additional duties for my stupidity.

All in all a learning experience that I hope Jordan doesn't repeat.

Its New Years eve and the minutes are slowly ticking by until a new year starts...

Its New Years eve and the minutes are slowly ticking by until a new year starts.... Jordan just came by to get his boots, he leaves tomorrow @ 0600 to return to boot camp and training. Christina & company are having fun in Disneyland, and I volunteered to work today. It seems everyone celebrates the New Year in different ways, some go out to party, some same have parties at home, I decided to stay off the roads and watch TV. Tomorrw Grandma Betty, Mom, Shirley, Jamie and the girls will have brunch and enjoy the start of a new year. It wont seem quite complete with out Jordan, I've gotten used to having him around this last week or so. I will miss him.

Another Christmas in the books

Well the presents have been opened, the cookies eaten, the kids tucked in. Another Christmas in the books, this one had special meaning for me, all that remains is to stuff the wrapping paper and tinsel in the trash bin. We might have to leave a bit for the cat to play with. My grandmother, who turns 87 today, my mother, Aunt, cousins were all present. Christina, Tamara, Cassie and Jordan were also there, and in a very real sense so was my grandfather, who passed away in 2002. My grandmother reduced my home from Army boot camp son to tears on Christmas Eve by telling him how much Grandpa loved him and how proud he would have been of his enlisting in the Army. Then on Christmas he received my grandfathers gold pocket watch and WWII Army dog tags. This watch was my great grandfathers and handed down to grandpa Ed and now Jordan. The whole family took a time out to wipe the tears.

My grandmother got a new picture of Cassie, my 21 yr old daughter, Jimmy my x-stepson, Jordan in uniform, Tamara, Ashanay and Kya. Only my brothers kids and one cousin were missing. All the grandmothers got individual groupings of thier grand kids. Between my mother and Aunt I think they bought out the eBay jewelry store. I got a new color laser printer, a Nook e-book reader and a bathroom makeover.

I hope Christmas found you with family and friends. Look forward to the New Year and rejoice in the blessing we have but all to often take for granted.

Christmas Time is Here

Well the Christmas season has started, for me at least, as I just got done watching Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer from 1964. I love the simplicity of the characters the stop motion and mostly the memories they bring back to me. Memories of my grandmother making cookies (the BEST) and popcorn balls, my grandfather shopping and telling of bluppuses his word for presents, which we still use today. The tree decorated with a combination of homemade and store bought decorations. One of my favorite decorations was made by a good friend and it is nothing more than 2 pipe cleaners with a egg carton cup glued to the top to make a simple sleigh. It will sit in a place of honor on the tree as it has for almost 40 years.

What I don't remember, or perhaps choose not to, is the shoving and bickering I hear in the stores now, I don't remember Christmas starting as soon as the back to schools items had been cleared away to the school supply isle in September.

I remember the Thanksgiving Holiday as the "official" start of the Christmas season, and the 1st carol of the year. One of my favorite memories is Santa riding a Norelco razor over the snow covered hills as Charlie Brown and Linus got a pathetic tree year after year. How the Grinch never remembers how the Who's effect him or how Rudolph learns that to be different is ok and sometimes a good thing.

I think back then Christmas break was months long, at least in my mind, and my friends and I played in the snow and went sledding down Marigold street. My memories of Christmas are good and clean and great to look back on, I miss those uncomplicated days.

Christmas 2010 will be a good one, Jordan and Cassie with be with the family on Christmas morning. One home from boot camp and the other from collage, Tamara will be here, as will my mom, aunt, cousins, grandmother and of course Christina.

They say with passing years things are supposed to get easier, my grandfather passed away in Dec. 2002 right before Christmas and I still feel the loss every bit as much as the night he passed away. I see things and want to tell him about them or think that would be a great Grandpa Ed present.

Christmas is a time for family, friends, parties and giving, but for me it is also a bit melancholy. A time of introspection and some sadness, I hope this year to find the joy earlier by watching the old TV specials and remembering all I have to be thankful for.

We use words like honor, code, loyalty...

" A Veteran is someone, who at one point in their life, wrote a blank check payable to the United States of America for an amount up to, and including, their life. That is beyond honor and there are way too many people in this country who no longer remember that fact." Author Unknown

My beloved Marine Corps will be 235 years old tomorrow the 10th, Veterans Day is the 11th, we need to remember the sacrifice and price of freedom . Freedom is not free, freedom is earned by the blood, sweat and tears of our servicemen and women.

Every generation pays that price. Are you one of those that paid the price, answered the call and took the oath? Or are you the one that complains about the cost of a standing army and berates the service but yet swears 'I support the troops'.

I answered the call, my brother is today serving in the U.S. navy, my best friend was in the Air Force, my aunt, my father and grandfather and great grandfather are Army veterans, my mother served 25 years in the Army and now my son Jordan has picked up the torch of freedom and is currently in Army boot camp. Where will you be on veterans day, working or kicking back grateful for a day off?

When you see a veteran or a service man in uniform; do you say thank you for your service and shake their hand or keep walking, taking that sacrifice made and your freedom for granted.

On e of my favorite movie quotes is:

"Son, we live in a world that has walls. And those walls have to be guarded by men with guns. Who's gonna do it? You? You, Lt. Weinberg? I have a greater responsibility than you can possibly fathom. You weep for Santiago and you curse the Marines. You have that luxury. You have the luxury of not knowing what I know: that Santiago's death, while tragic, probably saved lives. And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, saves lives...You don't want the truth. Because deep down, in places you don't talk about at parties, you want me on that wall. You need me on that wall.
We use words like honor, code, loyalty...we use these words as the backbone to a life spent defending something. You use 'em as a punchline. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very freedom I provide, then questions the manner in which I provide it! I'd rather you just said thank you and went on your way. Otherwise, I suggest you pick up a weapon and stand a post." Jack Nicholson - A Few Good Men

Not everyone sees combat and most will never pay the ultimate price, but if you served and wore the uniform you have paid for that freedom with missed family dinners and holidays spent far from home, and perhaps in blood. So enjoy Veterans Day, hoist a cold one to fallen, missing or forgotten comrades and remember with out your service there would be no USA.

I, for one, salute you and thank you for your service.

How many more goodbyes are left before my own?

There comes a time in life when your heroes have fallen , your idols are fading and you see friends parents and even your friends passing away.

I realized that as I getting older time is passing faster and faster like a car coasting down a hill with no driver to apply the brakes. Your children have grow before your very eyes and graduated or are soon to, and are moving into adult hood with out you, then you look in the mirror and see gray hair, wrinkles and sags and wonder who is that old person looking back at me .

Yesterday one of basketball's greats died, Maurice Lucas, former Portland Trail Blazer and coach. I had the privilege many years ago to meet him, he never said no to an fan asking for an autograph, and a picture or just a chance to say hello. He was always the gentle giant, with a smile for all.

These things combined got me to thinking my heroes are gone; my grandfather, Chesty Puller, John Wayne and Audie Murphy. I am rapidly approaching age 50, cant bend, walk, stand or sit comfortably any longer due to health issues and wonder how long till my name is "Called up Yonder" as the song says.

On face book I have over a hundred friends, many from high school, but are they friends or just names from the past, would I know them or they me, if we met in the store?

My mom, aunt and grandmother are still with me, my dad and grandfather gone to lead the way and I want to know was this the last Halloween or will this be the last Thanksgiving or Christmas.

Tomorrow morning as I go to proudly watch my son, Jordan swearing into the U.S. army and leave for boot camp I wonder how many more goodbyes are left before my own?