A smoke break creates icon of the war; now groupies seek out the weary Marine

Seattle Times ^ | Saturday, November 13, 2004 | Patrick J. McDonnell

[ovrtaxt]

This photo of Marine Lance Cpl. James Blake Miller in Fallujah was published in more than 100 newspapers Wednesday.

FALLUJAH, Iraq

[ovrtaxt]

Great story.

[ovrtaxt]

[Malleus Dei]

"Marines get all the beautiful women."

[risk]

Just try telling this guy "no smoking." I don't think so.

[ProudVet77]

I feel sorry for this guy in a way. His fellow Mariens are going to rib him to no end. Just wait till he gets stateside.

[BunnySlippers]

More than 100 newspapers printed it, although it took the New York Post to sum it up in a front-page headline: "Marlboro Men Kick Butt in Fallujah."

:-D

[ovrtaxt]

Sure. Feel sorry all you want, until he's met by a harem of obsessed ladies at the local bowling alley. :)

[ProudVet77]

Been there, done that, those were the days :)

[jazzlite]

From boy to man..Cpl. Miller is assured a place in history..One of the guys in the band I play with is a retired Marine and his integrity, honesty and strength makes him a beloved figure with everyone..

[M-cubed]

I wonder how he'll react to stateside duty if he's lucky enough to return...the Smoking Police probabaly have him listed as #1 on their top 10 list.....

[Happygal]

Why do I get the feeling that this reporter was trying to push this guy into saying something bad about the Marines?

And what does he think about the Marines, anyway? "I already signed the papers, so I got no choice but to do what we're doing."

He answered the question, so the reporter goes on to say: ``Miller has three years to go in active duty, but he appears disinclined to re-enlist.''

The reporter is making the assumption that Miller would not re-enlist. He doesn't say that anywhere in the article.

Other than that, it's a nice story. I like the bit about the town being called after his great grandparents.

[wildcatf4f3]

Now I like him even more

[WestVirginiaRebel]

I'll bet a lot of women are looking at this guy's picture and reading his story, and then taking another look at all their metrosexual boyfriends... : )

[Happygal]

For sure! Give me a Marlboro man over a Girly Man any day of the week! Phwaorrr! :-)

[independentmind]

I just don't understand what all the fuss is about," Miller drawls yesterday as he crouches — Marlboro firmly in place — inside an abandoned building with his platoon mates, preparing to fight insurgents holed up in yet another mosque.

"I was just smokin' a cigarette, and someone takes my picture and it all blows up."

I like this guy even more and hope that his humility and common sense stay in tact when he comes home.

[SeeRushToldU_So]

I have a doctored version from one of our very own Freepers on my desktop at work.

The kid actually looks better wearing a helment and smudged camo on his face.

I am sure when he gets out of the grime of war, and can rest and shower regularly, he will be an eye full for the ladies.

I am glad he is kicking @ss for us!

[Scales]

Your are looking at the next Audie Murphy. I would not be surprised to see him snatched up by a Hollywood studio. Hopefully it will be Mel Gibson's so they don't ruin the kid.

[ovrtaxt]

Exactly. Just a regular guy for a change. Usually, we get a constant parade of freaks, pansies and posers held up as the greatest among us.

[nw_arizona_granny]

A sharp young man.

A good Marine.

[expatguy]

bttt