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It's more that just being a Marine. When I was assigned to the 1st Infantry Division at Ft. Riley, the Division hosted a Big Red One Reunion and vets all the way back to WWI came. We had lots for them to see and do to show off our stuff now to the vets and meet today's soldiers. The last day was a Division Parade. As the troops were on the ready line all the old vets, many on crutches, needing canes or walkers came out on the parade field to stand with their old units to have families take their photo next to the Unit colors. As the parade was getting set to pass in review the CG called out over the public address system that should any former members wish to join in the pass in review they should fall in at the rear of their old unit and take up the pace. Those old vets did just that leaving their canes, crutches, and walkers behind, taking up the full 30 inch pace and marching like they were 20 again. There were a lot of watery eyes among the active duty soldiers young and old at seeing this. There's just something special about the bond of military vets and their units.

"There's just something special about the bond of military vets and their units."

Yes, there is. I've stood on many a Parade Field over the years, and I LOVED it when the "old guys" would fall in with us, or at least be in the audience. (I'm retired Army; 32d (Red Arrow) Brigade.)

I swore I was never going to be one of those Vets that spends her time thinking about her "Glory Days" but d@mn, it's just such an important part of your life and who you are, so why not enjoy the kinship and the pride? My three best friends are Army gals, too. Nothing can come between us, and we've seen one another through marriages, divorces, births, deaths, homesickness, you name it. ;)