The father of a Marine corporal salutes his son

Atlanta Journal-Constitution ^ | 11/28/2002 | FRANK SCHAEFFER

[chnsmok]

http://www.accessatlanta.com/ajc/services/info/staff.html

I emailed the publisher with thanks.

[Victoria Delsoul]

My son has connected me to my country in a way that I was too selfish and insular to experience before. I feel closer to the waitress at our local diner than to some of my oldest friends. She has two sons in the Corps. They are facing the same dangers as my boy. When the guy who fixes my car asks me how John is doing, I know he means it. His younger brother is in the Navy.

Ralf Waldo Emerson said, "Not he is great who can alter matter, but he who can alter my state of mind." Thanks for the excellent essay, Pokey.

[MistyCA]

Same to you, John! I hope you have a wonderful, wonderful day tomorrow!

[JohnHuang2]

Buenas noche, mi hermana =^)

And Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!

[Victoria Delsoul]

Happy Thanksgiving to you too, John. Es un placer de verte.

[JohnHuang2]

Gracias, i es, para mi, un gran placer de verte tambian =^)

[Alamo-Girl]

Thank you for the heads up!!! Happy Thanksgiving!

[JohnHuang2]

Oops...tambian=tambien =^)

[JohnHuang2]

You're welcome, my friend, and Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours! =^)

[ListeningLady]

Thanks so much for this post!

I too have a son in the military--a very bright young man who is a non-com officer in the Air Force. If he were a civilian working in the same career field as his military one, he would probably be making triple the salary he is now receiving.

However, his career field is one that is considered "mission critical" in this war on terrorism so he is still serving faithfully in the military. He has a love of country that transcends mere economic realities.

My heart aches at the thought of all the "what if" situations that could come up in this terrible war. At the same time, however, my heart thrills at the thought of my son and others like him who are ready to defend the rest of us. I am as proud of my military son as I am of my other son who is an Assistant Vice President of a bank.

I am also the wife of a Vietnam veteran and the daughter of a World War II veteran. America owes much to the military--I pray we as a country never forget that!

[Jarhead_22]

I remember standing on that very same parade deck at Parris Island about 12 years ago. What a tremendous feeling of accomplishment that was.

Thank you to all the Marines who came before me and, at a considerable cost in blood, made the title "Marine" one worth earning.

"Pain is just weakness leaving the body."
-Drill Instructor Sergeant Fields

[The Other Harry]

Why did this old man cry when reading this. Maybe I am just a sucker.

You're not alone.

[Diver Dave]

Thanks for the Semper Fi ping, Jen.

I take great pride in the 4 years I spent in the Navy, but I also well up with pride in my twin brother's 4 years in the Marine Corps. We just happened to chose different branches of the service in which to enlist.

Strange after all these years, I will always be a squid and he will be a Marine. I guess that's why I get a lump in my throat and my voice begins to crack whenever I greet a member of the Armed Forces and thank them for their service.

May God Bless our Armed Forces past and present. May He also bless the members of those military servant's families that feel the same pride as this young Marine's Father.

[jla]

Ralf Waldo Emerson said, "Not he is great who can alter matter, but he who can alter my state of mind."

That sounds like it should be the Conservative raison d'etre .

Thanks for posting that, Victoria.
I'm not very familiar with R.W.E., (I prefer Haggard 'n Jones myself), but he makes a heckuva lot a sense here.

[farmfriend]

Thank you to those who have served. God bless you and your's.

[Sandy]

Keeping Faith: A Father-Son Story About Love and the United States Marine Corps by John Schaeffer, Frank Schaeffer

[Mo1]

I feel shame because it took my son's joining the Marine Corps to make me take notice of who is defending me. I feel hope because perhaps my son is part of a future "greatest generation." As the storm clouds of war gather, at least I know that I can look the men and women in uniform in the eye. My son is one of them. He is the best I have to offer. He is my heart.

Well he maybe be late .. but at least he now sees how important our military is and how much pride we have for them and all that they do in protecting us ..

God Bless the men and women in uniform
and God Bless America

[MeekOneGOP]

This was already posted before, I think. But a great article, thanks !

[Ben Chad]

Bump to a great article as my only son celebrates Thanksgiving at Camp Pendelton (San Diego) in week 4 of basic training. I empathize with the author's feeling of shame for not having served. At age 52 I can still run marathons and swim two miles. I wish I were in boot camp with my son. God Bless all our sons.

[Cap'n Crunch]

Hey, wait a minute, I thought I did go to college: the University of Science, Medecine and Culture. Isn't that what USMC stands for????

I wouldn't trade that 4 years for any college degree.

Semper Fi