"and would proudly join his fellow Marines if they would take "an old man"....." Heck, Texasgirl, he ain't old!
I was in Pendleton in '62, and I'd gladly go with my fellow Marines to Afghanistan if they'd let me.
'Course, they might have to carry me when we got there!
Well, my friend, the young Marines would be carrying both of you - too many 500+ ft. towers have played havoc with his knees....