I’ve heard it said that being a Marine is never past tense. Seeing the tea parties and demonstrations in D.C. this past week (complete with people being arrested inside the offices) somehow conjures up images of the French Revolution and storming of the Bastille. I’m nearing 60, and I’ve not seen such discontent and nervousness since the late 1960s. This time, however, the protestors are everyday, hardworking, decent Americans.
Well, once a Marine, always a Marine, of course, but it’s not altogether incorrect to use past tense, or say “former Marine” The big no-no is “ex-Marine”. I don’t get too hung up on the semantics-spent 8 years active duty (1978-1986)-Put it this way—I’ll always consider myself a Marine— they just aren’t paying me for it any more. : )
I don’t know where things are headed—they can’t continue this way—I hope there is an effective backlash. That’s pretty drastic—but what’s the alternative?