FORTUNATE SON

New York Post ^ | November 10,2004 | WILLIAM McGURN

[Leisler]

November 10, 2004 -- FORGIVE Mindy Evnin if she's not up for cake and candles today. Even if she knows how important this birthday was for her son. On this day in a Philadelphia tavern, the Continental Congress gave birth to the Marine Corps almost a full year before the Declaration of Independence. More than two centuries later in Fallujah, America still looks to the Marines to do the job no one else can. ....

[mass55th]

I bawled my eyes out reading this. Thanks for posting it.

[LizardQueen]

It made me cry again. I know the woman in the story, and met her son a few times.

LQ

[Straight Vermonter]

I was just going to ping you to this.

Prayers going out again for Cpl Evnin and his mother.

[Samwise]

Do either of you have a ping list?

[An Old Marine]

I get it.

Besides my own time in the Corps I have two sons in the Marines, one of them in Fallujah this minute.

Happy Birthday to Marines everywhere.

[wildcatf4f3]

This si what its all about

[Texagirl4W]

She needs a bumper sticker that reads, "Proud Mom Of A Marine Angel". Great human interest story.

[solo gringo]

The marines are my hero's

[LibSnubber]

Thank you and your sons for your service to our country. Your sons (especially the one in Fallujah) will remain in my prayers.

[Soaring Feather]

No, I do not.

[Little Bill]

ping

[SuziQ]

And on this special birthday, with Marines fighting for Fallujah, remember too the Jewish mother in Vermont, a self-described product of the '60s, whose car now sports a bumper sticker that not so long ago would have been inconceivable: Proud Parent of a U.S. Marine.

God Bless Mindy, and all parents of sons and daughters who have died in the service of this great country.

[SuziQ]

I've been praying for the Marines and their Iraqi allies in Fallujah the last few days. God Bless your son.

[snippy_about_it]

I'll post a link over at the Foxhole. Thanks Samwise.

[xp38]

The United States Marine Memorial, commonly referred to as "the Iwo Jima Memorial," depicts one of the most famous incidents of World War II.

Located on Marshall Drive, between Route 50 and Arlington National Cemetery, in Arlington, VA. Six blocks from Rosslyn Metro station. Open daily, 24 hours. No admission. The memorial is dedicated to all Marines who have given their lives in defense of the United States since 1775. It was officially dedicated by President Dwight D. Eisenhower on November 11, 1954, the 179th anniversary of the U.S. Marine Corps. This largest cast-bronze statue in the world features 32-foot-tall figures erecting a 60-foot-tall bronze flagpole.

The cloth flag flies 24 hours a day in accordance with a Presidential proclamation of June 12, 1961. The sculpture was designed by sculptor Felix W. de Weldon, then on duty with the U.S. Navy, from the Pulitzer prize-winning photo by news photographer Joe Rosenthal. The M-1 rifle and carbine carried by two of the figures are 16 and 12 feet long, respectively.

The Marine Corps presents the Marine Sunset Review Parade featuring the Drum and Bugle Corp and the Silent Drill Team on Tuesdays from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., May through August. It is free to the public.

[Soaring Feather]

ping

[Soaring Feather]

PING

[Soaring Feather]

The Old Marine

The old Marine marched
in parades
on Memorial Day
The Fourth of July
and Veteran's Day
In heat, in rain, in pain, he went,
held formation, moved his feet high
when the drum did roll,
walked like a Marine,
talked like a Marine,
until... the day he died.

He was proud he served his country well
taking shrapnel on one campaign, always
living with the pain
rarely ever did he complain
when on his knees he
would crawl...the pain
too, much for him to stand tall.

Jaw squared, head high, march the steps
carry the rifle, salute the flag
every mindful he was a Marine.

In his casket he did lay
in full dress that sad day
his uniform pressed and sharp
this Marine did depart
to a far better land he did go
in fields of flowers he will stroll,
meet his mother, and receive
his well done son,
you where a Good Marine.

bentfeather
11/10/04

Happy Birthday United States Marines!

[dennisw]

btttttttt