Missing the military

On three walls around the desk in our home office are a variety of innocuous, though important to me, items.  The plaques, pictures, framed memorabilia, medals, and the like combine to form the self-congratulating reflections on a military career.  Or “I love me” walls as we Marines refer to them.

Definitely self-admiring, the only items that do not directly refer to or present my military career are a frame containing two pictures, one of my wife and me taken 44 years ago and a picture of us taken during a motorcycle ride around Lake Tahoe (she’s beautiful in both): my father’s Bronze Star Medal from World War II: a picture of my grandfather’s outfit, prior to shipping out to Europe during World War I; and a 1950s era picture of my father’s National Guard platoon.

Each and every one of the items on display has been carefully and deliberately chosen.  Lord knows there was a plentiful collection from what to choose, as attested to by the military footlockers stored in the garage and filled with countless similar items.

In the man cave of our home office, I often reflect on what has changed in our nation since I was sworn into the United States Marine Corps in 1970, the year before our marriage.  Much has changed for the better, but way too much has changed for the worse.  I retreat to this man cave during periods of introspection and reflection, looking for solace and reinforcement.  The memories evoked by the wall hangings offer relief from the day-to-day, plus reinforce those values I hold to be imperative. 

As a military officer with 30 years of active duty behind me, I worry about our nation.  Politicians lying with impunity.  Free speech under assault.  Christianity attacked from multiple sides.  “Big” money corrupting sports.  Immature students seeming to run universities.  “Social justice” forced down the throats of average citizens.  I could go on and on.  But I won’t.

The military wasn’t perfect, but it was far better than the general society I observe today.  My Marine Corps experience irrevocably shaped me and perhaps that is why I relish the times spent with fellow veterans (and bikers).  Maybe that’s why I wear USMC logoed shirts and sweatshirts (much to my wife’s dismay) as testament to belonging to something more important than the piss ant crap about which the liberals whine and complain.  And definitely that’s why I can speak with veterans from any era and establish an immediate bond of brotherhood.

While in uniform, I knew I could trust the Marine on my left and my right to protect me, just as they knew I would be there for them.  If the situation required, I knew they’d lay down their lives for me, as I would for them.  Tragically, you can’t say that about general society.  

Today it’s a crime to fly the American flag; an aspirant for the highest office in the land is a serial, congenital liar; LGBT activists demand that I accept their views; a member of Congress sent photos of his privates to others; other members of Congress get rich on questionable dealings; activist judges defy the  will of the people; “pro-choice” activists claim abortion is not killing the unborn; and I am expected to provide countless tax dollars to support the lazy, the illegals, and the corrupt.

Please!
 

I’ll just retreat to my office, look at the military memorabilia, and recall the outstanding Marines with whom it was my privilege to serve, some of whom now rest in peace.  Sergeant Major Warren.  Sergeant Hancock.  Sergeant Bollinger.  Corporal Nerida.  Captain Knapp.  Chief Warrant Officer Griggs.  Lance Corporal Albones.  Lieutenant Colonel Storey.  Captain Willis.  Master Sergeant Ojeda.  Sergeant Major Didas.  Colonel Wright.  Sergeant Ebersole.  Colonel Del Mauro.  Captain Winter.  Lance Corporal Sauer.  Major General Livingston.  Captain Cyr.  Lieutenant Colonel Melton.  Colonel Dockery.  Corporal Condit.  Lieutenant General Smith.  Corporal Cornelio.  Captain Wallace.  Colonel Nance.  Gunnery Sergeant Dehaven.  And many, many more.  I knew I could count on them…any time…any place.

Damn, but I miss the military.