I was at my nieces for Christmas when an elderly gentleman (her neighbor) stopped by to offer holiday wishes and what-not (really just lookin for a piece of pie and coffee LOL). I introduced myself and somehow the discussion revealed his being a MARINE. I told him I was also a MARINE, and it was like we were all of a sudden related. The rest of the gathering noticed how we connected, even though we had just met.
This is something many do not understand, (those who have not served) regardless of which branch, but there is a tighter bond among MARINES, and something I hold dear.
The conversation with the old MARINE left me in awe, to be in the presence of a man that had enlisted at seventeen (he lied about his age at enlistment), and had served in every battle of the island hopping campagin of the Pacific in WWII. I offered my thanks for his service, and was HONORED to shake his hand, and took pride that I could be a part of the same brotherhood, a MARINE.
SEMPER FI