A Marine's Marine

Standing on the patio with a cup of coffee this morning (those in the frozen and wet portions of the country may be envious at the local pleasant weather), I was thinking about how fast time seems to pass, particularly as I age.  Marveling at how fast the grand kids have grown, how long it has been since I last wore my Marine Corps uniform, how the vacation three years ago seems so recent, and how it has been two years since we laid to rest a truly great American, Colonel C. L. "Doc" Dockery, U. S. Marine Corps (Retired).

Doc and I met first while attending school at Quantico, Virginia.  Thirteen years later we served together overseas.  Over that time, we became close -- very close -- friends.  Doc came from Texas and his patriotism and "Marine-ness" were unrivaled.  In the iconic way of those times and that area, he grew up in a small Texas town, where he played football and raised a little hell from time to time.  A solid, loving family served as the bedrock for his beliefs and work ethic.  One of those beliefs was the importance of serving our nation.  So after graduating from high school, he enlisted in our Marine Corps and served in Vietnam.  The values he learned in Texas provided the foundation upon which he added the Marine Corps values he lived and breathed.  Subsequently, he attended Texas A & M, earned his degree, and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant of Marines.  After initial training, he went to Pensacola, Florida to attend flight school, and was designated a Naval Aviator.  From that point forward, he was was a Marine Corps pilot, serving in a variety of flight, staff, and command positions.  Fast forward to 1998, when we again served together overseas.

Doc was the truly exceptional among the exceptional.  Not everyone can become a Marine, let alone an officer of Marines.  With the up or out promotion system, few officers rise to pin on the insignia of a Colonel of Marines.  In this group of exceptional Americans, Doc stood out.  He stood out because of the values he taught, insisted upon, and lived.  For those who have not served in uniform, the Marine Corps values can seem mythical or naive.  But for Marines, these values are the essence of who we are and what we do.  Honor, Courage, Commitment.

How can one describe these to an outsider?  It's a real challenge to convey all that they mean.  I remember learning early on that Marines never let a fellow Marine down; once a Marine, always a Marine; Marines don't lie, cheat, or steal or tolerate those that do; every Marine if a rifleman; instant, willing obedience to orders; and other simple phrases that possess enormous meaning and obligation.  Doc embodied all of these and more.

Never one to "go along to get along," Doc stood for all that is right in the Marine Corps.  This meant, at times, insisting that the right way be taken, contrary to the desires of those less committed to the Marine Corps way of life.  Hard nosed, but gentle, he stood for what was right - period.  No equivocation.  No excuses.  No wavering.  Right was right, end of discussion.  And he did it in such a way as to earn the unyielding admiration of his fellow Marines, myself included.  Perhaps this is why we bonded so closely.

In the positions we held, as senior officers in a large command, our actions and decisions were under constant scrutiny.  Further, from time-to-time we encountered a small number of individuals who wanted to by-pass regulations.  We stood together to counter and push back against those individuals.  It was never a matter of our personal views or opinions.  It was always a matter of following regulations and doing it right, in the Marine Corps way.  Several times, we had to tackle issues with firm resolve to ensure the right, Marine Corps decisions were made and implemented.  In his distinctive Texan drawl, Doc would calmly, but forcefully explain and educate.  Never wavering, he ensured the right decisions were made and executed.  By the way, some mistook that Texan drawl for a lessor intellect, only to regret it later.  Doc's mind was one of the sharpest, quickest, and most analytical I ever encountered.

Looking the part of the grizzled combat veteran, Doc could spin a sea story better than most.  Never forgetting his roots as a Marine NCO, he always took time to teach and mentor the young Marines.  In doing so, he earned their never ending respect.  A Marine's Marine.  Doc simply, eloquently, and with steadfast determination embodied all that is meant by the title of United States Marine.

We both retired in 2002, remaining in touch.  Our calls on the Marine Corps birthday (November 10) were a favorite.  (The Marine Corps birthday is important to us and I have a treasured picture of the two of us celebrating one birthday overseas.)  Emails and other calls reinforced our friendship and camaraderie.  Retirement was hard for the both of us, as (second only to family) the Marine Corps is our life.  We constantly cited that the civilians with whom we were working couldn't measure up to a good Marine Corps Lance Corporal.  And we shared some laughs when remembering our time together.  I miss those calls, emails, and laughter.

We laid him to rest in Arlington National Cemetery two years ago.  As his bride Cheryl told me, Doc said that laying alongside his fellow Marines and other warriors in Arlington was a fitting final resting place.  Fellow Marines traveled from across the nation to pay their respects.  A Major General in Dress Blues, who had been a Lieutenant Colonel when we are last overseas, represented the Corps, by choice, since he well remembered Doc.  Marines from squadrons in which he served as officer and enlisted attended.  Our Commanding General from our time in Okinawa was there, as were other senior officers.  Active duty and retired.  Officer and enlisted.  Combat veterans.  Marines all, including gray beards.  The horse drawn caisson, Marine Color Guard, Honor Guard of two platoons of Marines, and Marine Band participated in honoring this exceptional Marine.  We in attendance stood to shoulder some of the pain for Cheryl and Doc's family.  After the ceremony, I went to the Marine Corps Memorial, which is immediately adjacent to Arlington National Cemetery.  There I sat on a bench, looking at the statue commemorating the flag raising on Mount Surabachi on Iwo Jima, thought of my friend, and shed some tears in private.  (By the way, Doc visited Iwo Jima during a remembrance ceremony.  Where there is a road to the top now, he climbed it rather than take a truck or walk the road to the top, because that is what a Marine should do.)

So while staring out to sea from our patio, with coffee in hand this morning, I thought of Doc and how the world, my Marine Corps, and I are much better because of him.

Doc, Semper Fidelis, Devil Dog!

Teaching the wrong lesson

Egad!  Talk about teaching the wrong lesson.

As reported, "A Massachusetts principal has been criticized for canceling his school's Honors Night, saying it could be 'devastating' to the students who worked hard, but fell short of the grades." Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/03/20/massachusetts-principal-calls-off-honor-night-because-it-could-be-devastating/?test=latestnews#ixzz2O6zD0b92

Critical to success in life as adults are the countless lessons we learn as children.  Some of the lessons derive from literal education (English, math, science, etc.).  Others are less formal, but no less important.  This principal's action in canceling the recognition accorded those students who were able to meet the higher Honors standards fails on two fronts, while concurrently contributing to one of the more serious aspects of the progressive, liberal agenda.

His first failure comes from teaching his students that seeking and achieving academic distinction, in other words doing your absolute best, isn't important.  He is teaching students that there is no reason to stretch yourself, to perform at your best, to work hard, to expect to earn recognition for superior achievement, to take on challenges, or to seek self-improvement.

His second failure comes from not teaching his students to learn to deal with not attaining the objective.  In other words, just show up and not try.  Absent this life's lesson at an early age, far too many enter adulthood unprepared to deal with personal and professional disappointment.  Unfortunately, I saw this first hand on the campus of a major public university.  Students came ill-prepared to accept and deal with not being "number one" at everything.  It was shattering.  The life lesson is that we will simply not attain every challenging goal we pursue.  But that is no reason to continue to pursue those goals.

Our youth need to learn to strive, to accept and tackle challenges, and to realize self-gratification from having worked at their best in pursuit of a goal.  Our society needs those who pursue excellence.  And with excellence comes recognition.  Without those who do so, all aspects of society suffer from mediocrity.  Face it, life is a full participation event.  Merely showing up isn't enough.    

Concomitant with this lesson is learning to accept that there will be times in our lives when we must deal with disappointment.  Not attaining a goal is not failing.  However, not seeking the goal is appalling.  I would much rather work with someone who has made the earnest attempt, regrouped, and keep pursuing excellence, than I would someone who made no attempt or was convinced from life's lessons that one needn't try.

It is this final point that comprises what I see in the progressive, liberal agenda.  The agenda seeks to lower the expectations for all, to eliminate competition.  No victories, no defeats.  No high standards to pursue.  No recognition for exceptional achievement.  In fact, no definition of exceptional achievement.  Mediocrity at every turn.  The pursuit of this agenda results in unrealistic approaches to competition, a basic component to human life.  Like the little league baseball programs where no team wins or losses.  At the end of the season, merely showing up is rewarded.  Achievement is not.  Take this agenda to the extreme and ask yourself if you want a surgeon who only showed up at med school.  Or a aircraft pilot who tried, but couldn't make the standards for certification.  Or the banker who doesn't do his best at work.  Nonsense!  That is not the real world.  In preparation for the real world, certain professions are uniquely placed to teach life's lessons to our children.  Educators are so placed.  

Unfortunately, this principal failed to teach his students the right lessons.       

Equal opportunity or preferential treatment?

What some term equal opportunity, others term preferential treatment.

Another in a seeming endless number of studies recently cited “many obstacles to achieving equality for African Americans in the federal workforce.”  (EEOC African American Workgroup Report)  One of the seven cited obstacles states, “Educational requirements create obstacles for African Americans in the federal work force.”

While accepting bias still exists in too many segments of our society, against racial and ethnic groups, including blacks, Hispanics, Asians, whites (yes, whites), asserting that "educational requirements" create obstacles is too far a stretch in my view.  If a position description, in the public or private sector, specifies certain education as a matter of basic eligibility, it is perfectly reasonable.  To assert, directly or obliquely, that “Educational requirements create obstacles for African Americans in the federal work force” is merely a ploy.  A ploy that seeks to provide preferential treatment, in this case to African Americans, in the name of equal opportunity.  

Thus, what some view as equal opportunity, others view as preferential treatment.  Specifically, as implied in the cited report, establishing educational requirements specifically denies African Americans opportunities in the federal work force.  By extension then, as a matter of equal opportunity, African Americans should not be required to meet said educational requirements and implicitly should be hired into the positions.  Doing so wouldn't be a matter of equal opportunity as much as a matter of preferential treatment.  Hire an African American who does not meet the educational requirements over some other who does.

We are at a point in the development of out society that neither discrimination nor preferential treatment should be tolerated.  On this, most of us would agree.  And some states have codified such as stance.  For example, California's Proposition 209 clearly states, "The state shall not discriminate against, or grant preferential treatment to, any individual or group on the basis of race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin in the operation of public employment, public education, or public contracting."  California is certainly considered a liberal, progressive state.  So its law is formidable in pursuit of civil rights.

It clearly states discrimination and preferential treatment are against the law.  Therefore, in response to the cited EOC study, we offer one word: balderdash!

If the essence of the issue is that too few African Americans lack the educational credentials to compete for higher level positions in the federal government, take issue with both an educational system that fails to educate young African Americans (a very valid, documented situation) and African American households in which education is not seen as important (equally valid and documented).  Therein lay the solutions, not in advocating preferential treatment in hiring individuals who lack the education to be successful.

Because it may be inevitable that when an individual, no matter how motivated and energetic, is provided preferential treatment and hired into a position for which he/she lacks the education to be successful, that individual is more likely to fail.  And in failing, another one of the reports cites obstacles may manifest, “Insufficient training and development assignments perpetuate inequalities in skills and opportunities for African Americans.”

The goal, in reference to this cited obstacle, must be to address education and family expectations.  Then the individual will have the skills and knowledge to have the opportunity to compete equally against others, regardless of "race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin."

What one terms equal opportunity, another terms preferential treatment.

Civility every day

The experience we enjoy traveling along the way in our daily lives is, to a large extent, determined by our approach.  What we receive from the world in which we live, love, work, and play is definitely based on that which we are willing to give to it.  Stated in various forms in multiple religions, as well as numerous other sources, we should strive to treat others as we would want to be treated.  When we give of civility, if not genuine friendliness, we receive unmeasured but invaluable rewards in return.  Just pause for a moment and reflect on recent encounters as verification.

Today began as usual, heading out for my morning run.  During the ensuing hour, coming upon my fellow pedestrian citizens, as they headed to the trolley station, work at the hospital, the coffee shop or wherever in the early morning hours, I greeted each with, "Good morning."  Most replied, some did not.  Those that did invariably also smiled.  When approaching a crosswalk and a car stopped to permit my passage, I turned, raised a hand, make eye contact, and mouthed, "Thank You."  Normally, I receive a nod of acknowledgment, as I did today.

Each of our fellow travelers are thinking about the beginning of another work week.  Some looking forward to it, other bemoaning it.  Some may be heading to school or another appointment.  But each is thinking about their world and the beginning of the day.  Problems, concerns, joy, family matters, excitement, whatever.  A small expression of civility from a stranger probably isn't what they anticipate and it costs nothing to provide.

Small acts such as these mean more than we can sometimes realize.  Who knows which of us was uplifted by the kind word and civility of a passerby.  With the speed at which our lives seem to move, many days are mere blurs.  During these frenetic, bustling times, having another slow down to act civilly might actually be surprising.

So, I advocate you surprise someone today.  An act of civility every day will generate responses that bring forth smiles.  And that is a pretty damned good way to go about the day.  

  

Revitalize English communication skills

The richness of our language is being seriously undermined by a variety of influences.  Not the least among them is the increasingly poor job of teaching English communication skills, written and oral, in our public schools.  In the name of diversity, fairness, equality, and other progressive agenda buzzwords, schools are forgoing rigorous academics based on the English language.  There is a collapse of standards, based on English, to which our students are being held accountable. 

In the progressive’s misguided pursuit of “equality,” we see multiple languages represented increasingly across our country.  For example, check out the websites that provide registration for social services and government assistance programs.  Almost universally, one can find Spanish and other language options.  This approach to the use of other languages has essentially transferred to public schooling, where it is considered inappropriate to hold students to high standards of performance in English.  In fact, English is no longer a topic, having been supplanted by the vague term Language Arts.  Ostensibly, this was because the very use of English is considered pejorative by the progressives who control educational philosophy and practice.  Somehow, focusing on English is seen by progressives as injurious to students from low income families or those where English is a second language.  It doesn’t embrace the liberal’s definition of and manic pursuit of diversity.  Hence, standards are lowered, in the expectation it is better for the self-esteem of the children, reduces the stress for the student, and is “fair.”  This fairness philosophy, however, is woefully misguided.

An education system that lowers the standards on the use of the English language is dooming too many the students, by providing lowered levels of capability.  These are readily apparent as all too many students entering post secondary education are failing to meet basic, let alone rigorous, standards.  Hence, many are required to take preliminary courses in writing, rhetoric, etc. before they begin their matriculation.  However, a special one-term course cannot fill the learning void created by 12 years of reduced emphasis.  Consequently, first generation college students from low-income homes are at a decided disadvantage.  As many of these students come from homes where English is a second language, where reading and speaking English are not embraced, the problem is magnified several times over.  They enter college eager to learn, but without the English language skills to do so.  Consequently, many fail to complete their undergraduate degrees, returning to essentially the same level on the ladder of economic success.

The language of higher education and business remains rightfully English.  A nation that fails to provide a large section of its students with the most rigorous education in English communication skills, written and oral, effectively denies those students the ability to enter into higher education and succeed.  This eventually denies entry into the employment sectors providing the highest income levels.  Perversely, the progressive agenda seeking to raise those on the lowest steps of the income ladder actually hinders their advancement by its liberal approach to education.  Is it any wonder, then, that achievement gaps are widening for large segments of our student populations?

English is a rich language that requires revitalization by our public education system.   

Stand up for what is right

Two months ago I posted a determination to write about the positive and happy, rather than the negative.  I've been looking for and finding the positive and humor in our daily lives, the little things, the center mass of our country in which resides smiles, laughter, and the happiness that comes form a job well done.  I look for the little kindnesses performed by our fellow citizens.  I look for the smiles on their faces.  Most every day, I see invigorating and uplifting examples, from countless, average members of our great nation.

Then I learn of the latest incredible action or statement by some unbelievably negative individual.  All too often, said individual is an elected official or member of the so-called media.  A slow, gripping anger begins to form.  Why, I ask, can't this individual see that his/her actions, words, and pursuits are damaging our country?

So, occasionally we must stand up for what is right.  By doing so, we also stand against what is wrong.  So it is time to stand up for what is right.

It is right to....

• always speak the truth, even if it angers someone
• to hold individuals accountable for their actions
• act with integrity
• embrace ethical behavior
• denounce behavior that is self-centered, narcissistic, "me first" 
• show up for work on time
• do our best at our jobs
• expect loyalty from our employers
• preserve the nuclear family, comprised of father, mother, and children, as the national standard
• celebrate, not denigrate, our nation
• expect our fellow citizens to vote
• judge our fellow citizens by their actions and what is in their hearts, not by their race, ethnicity, or gender
• stand and honor our nation at the playing of the National Anthem
• demand our military maintain the highest possible standards of combat readiness and efficiency
• demand an unyielding, higher level of accountability from our elected officials
• hold elected officials responsible for their actions and judgment
• expect fellow citizens to earn their way
• expect our fellow citizens to be law abiding citizens
• require unions to do the bidding of the workers, not the other way around
• demand the media be balanced
• demand civility in the public debate
• demand the President lead, not perpetually campaign
• expect elected officials who commit crimes to be jailed
• expect elected officials be present and prepared to vote
• expect the Speaker of the House and Leader of the Senate to provide sufficient time and resources for the consideration of legislation
• require the Senate to obey the law regarding passing an annual budget
• expect severe punishment for the corporate officers who ruin people financially
• expect the Attorney General to enforce all the laws of the nation
• expect Congress to negotiate its way to solutions
• require free speech on our university and college campuses
• demand all levels of the government to "live within their means"
• expect teacher evaluations to be connected to student performance  
• demand respect for the men and women in uniform
• require that we treat one another with respect and dignity, even if we disagree    
• demand the Secretary of State have unimpeachable truthfulness
• require those seeking the office of the President of the United States to have served in the Armed Forces
• reject calls for women to serve as infantrymen in our Armed Forces
• summarily dismiss any commentator, reporter, blogger, etc. who falsifies information, calls an official a "troll," misrepresents the truth, or otherwise acts in an unethical manner

I could continue, possibly indefinitely.  But I'll limit this section to one more crucial action for which I want to stand for what it right. 

The most important aspect of citizenship is the responsibility to vote.  It is right for each of us to demand our fellow citizens exercise this right at every election, local to national.  Regardless of our views, we must all stand up for this right and expect every other citizen vote.

Free speech, aggravating and humorous!

Histrionics, hyperbole, hysterics, exaggeration, embellishment, and the like are some of the costs of free speech.  Wielded by talk show hosts, employed by politicians, abused by university academics, and cherished by the media, how these forms of communication have expanded most recently.  Aggravating though they may be, even ridiculous at times, we can see in them grand theater and humor.

Those that utter, write, broadcast, or post histrionics, hyperbole, hysterics, exaggeration, embellishment, and the like appear to take themselves too seriously.  Can they really believe what they are saying?  Do they really believe the average citizen fawns over every word, accepting them without question?

One side of an issue utters, writes, broadcasts, or posts, only to be outdone by the other side of the issue.  The war of words escalates.  When broadcast, the escalation can lead to shouting at one another, taking the histrionics, hyperbole, hysterics, exaggeration, embellishment, and the like to exponentially higher levels of inaccuracy.  Shaking my head, I smile at the spectacle.  And I recall what a mentor said years ago, “Saying it loudly doesn’t make it a fact.”

Fortunately, truly fortunately, we have the right to free speech.  While at the highest plane the right is inherent to discussing those matters most critical to a free people, at the lowest plane it enables idiots, near do wells, the uninformed, and politicians to demonstrate their foolishness.  And, as the old saying goes, “Don’t argue with a fool in public, because passersby won’t be able to tell who’s the fool.” 

So let the theater continue.  Bring on the histrionics, hyperbole, hysterics, exaggeration, embellishment, and the like.  Encourage university professors to publish more uninformed pieces about matters in which they have no practical experience.  (By the way, it requires no knowledge to profess, which is why universities have professors rather than teachers.)  Add another dozen rabid talk show commentators to cable and radio.  Ask elected officials to hold another thousand press conferences.  

Why, you may ask?  

While aggravating, the humor can be found.  While frustrating, occasionally something really important is said.  And that is the purpose of free speech.

Expressing appreciation

For those in the majority of the country, as the saying goes, eat your hearts out.  It's been in the 70s and 80s here in San Diego county.  Yesterday, my bride and I took advantage of this terrific weather to enjoy a leisurely lunch with friends, overlooking the beach and Pacific Ocean.  Truly phenomenal for this time of year.

What, you may ask, does this observation have to do with expressing appreciation?  Simple.  There seems to be all too much energy expended complaining about what could or should be, the state of this, the price of that, what this politician said, and other negatives.  Yet, truth be told, if we look for it, we have a great deal for which we should express our appreciation.

Surely, life continues to provide surprises and disappointments, some major and some minor.  Some tremendously unsettling (death, serious health issues, financial crisis, etc.) , others momentarily distracting (unexpected car repairs, the weather, house repairs, etc.).  How we respond when these occur goes a long way to describing our mood at any one point in time.  But, equally assuredly, there is so very much for which we should express appreciation.

In expressing appreciation, the itself act runs similar gamuts of high to low, critical to nearing inconsequential, public to private, outward vs. inward.  But the expression of appreciation is important and I fear it has lost its place in our lives.

I sincerely appreciate the time spent with my wife and friends at the beach yesterday.  While the weather was most definitely a positive aspect, it was not a matter worthy of appreciation.  While the lunch was tasty, it was not worthy of appreciation.  Sharing some time with friends of several decades -- that is worthy of appreciation.  Sharing the one element we can't create more of, our personal time, is worthy of appreciation.  So, as I ruminated on expressing appreciation, I deliberately reviewed the weekend to identify the times that warrant an expression of appreciation.

• Sharing time with my bride of 42 years
• Standing and chatting with neighbors
• Exchanging texts with our children
• Receiving a new photo of our youngest granddaughter
• The aforementioned lunch with friends at the beach 
• Chatting with my mother
• My faith
• Playing tennis, then enjoying brunch with other friends
• Discovering a 15 year old Thank You note
• Being healthy
• A cold beer on the patio
• And the list goes on....

If accepting what the media, entertainment, TV, and other bloggers are presenting, one could stumble around in a perpetual state of depressed dismay, encapsulated by negative energy and emotion.  I choose to say to hell with it and express here that I am exceptionally appreciative.

I am an American.
I have a wonderful family, including loving wife.
I served my country with pride.      
I am healthy.
I have purpose.