Posted on 04/11/2002 5:40:38 AM PDT by gunnyg
Marines, Not Soldiers
Published: Jan 28, 2002
I have a complaint about some of the news readers for the local television stations, and I am sure there are countless other Marines with the same one.
It is galling to hear the news readers referring to Marines as ``soldiers.''
Marines are not soldiers; they are Marines and always will be. There is no such thing as an ex-Marine or a former Marine. We are all ``Marines,'' period.
Soldiers are members of the Army and sailors are members of the Navy. You wouldn't call a soldier a sailor, so why would you call a Marine a soldier?
Marines are chosen because of their ability to be more than just an average service man or woman. They deserve to be called what they are, and not soldiers. Semper Fi, Mac.<
TONY FAGGIONETampa
We scouts used to always graon "Another day in the motorpool?"
Scouts Out! Cavalry Ho!
Semper Fi gunnyg
Since it's a well known fact that a Jarhead would rather clean weapons and spitshine shoes than do anything else, I knew that my wife and daughters would be safe.
It is true that the Marines are a department of the Navy.
The MENS department.
I suspect my son who just retired from more than 20 years in Special Forces might have similar feelings to being referred to as just a soldier. I am surprised there is no word term for Special Forces soldiers like Green Beret or Seal.
Is this a bad time to mention that my Marine Dad was at Iwo Jima?
He was manning an antiaircraft gun at the base of the Maryland's #3 turret.
I guess the Navy couldn't find Squids brave (or stupid?) enough to stand on an open deck while being attacked by Kamikazes.
One of which flew bare feet over his head under continuous withering AA fire to impact the top of said turret.
A few feet lower it would have hit the side of the turret and he wouldn't have lived to father me.
Twelve brave men lost their chance at the gene-pool at that moment.
Hey! I wonder if your brother knew my Dad? WWII, China, Korea, Vietnam, 22½ years.
BTW Wiki says 10 killed, Dad said 12.
Wow ... this thread is old enough to buy booze and handguns!
Ya, snowflake marines, thats what we need.
Its no worse than a squid around here that is enraged that he wasnt authorized to wear enough jewelry on his uniform.
It tends to be the same ones that honestly thought they were fighting over who had the best towels.
Unlike so many others, they did do their part in their time and should be recognized for it.
“But we above all else we know who and what we are.... The simple reality is, I am a Marine. The presstitutes are not capable of understanding the implication of that title.”
And neither am I - who have never served in any fashion. My old man was Navy (WWII) and brother National Guard (Vietnam). Once I learned how important the term “Marine” was I have tried hard to use it properly.
But - I was waiting for a post like yours. I would think that if one is a Marine, they are tough enough to look past the ignorance, and perhaps even intentional slights by others. But - it would be nice if the media could at least get it right. But they don’t care.
Thank you for your service, and thank you to your family for putting up with all they had to deal with.
Remember my brother getting the physical for induction. Marine recruiter walks in and says, “I need two volunteers to enlist in the Marine Corps.”
Nobody raises their hand or says anything.
“OK, you and you just volunteered,” he says, pointing to two random guys. “Come with me.”
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