I have spent a good deal of time over the last four and a half years attempting to explain why I serve. That is a question I am asked all too frequently, and I have never come up with an answer I feel adequately explains my service.
There isn’t a huge history of military service in my family. A couple of uncles by marriage have served, but the last relative related by blood to serve was my great-grandfather. This was a fact unknown to me until he passed away in late 2001. I had already entered the Delayed Entry Program, but Grandpa’s mind had already failed him. I saw the tri-folded flag on a stand next to his open coffin and felt a connectedness I had never felt with him before. We weren’t very close through most of my life, but I felt as close to him in that single moment as I fell with my father and grandfather. Even that connection doesn’t come close enough to explain why I serve.
I am one of the younger voices in the MilBlog community. I joined the Marine Corps in the months just after September 11th. I vividly remember the images of that day, and the uncertainty on every face in my high school. My classmates and I had visions of graduation and college already in our minds, and nothing could take our focus from the end of our high school career until that day. I saw tears running down the faces of people I’d known for the majority of my life. Never did I think I would see them openly weep. I saw rage in the eyes of some of the calmest minds. Never did I think such anger could come from their heart. Never did I think I would take a stand to protect all of them and the American way of life.
I serve so that something like September 11th doesn’t have to happen to any nation ever again. I pray that sacrificing any plans I made as a high school senior will keep even one innocent American from falling to terrorism. I pray that I can help make a difference in this world now to bring about a hope of defeating radicals. Most importantly, I hope that I can one-day give a better world to my daughter so that she and her family can live the American Dream.
Thanks for sharing Marcus! Regardless of the reasons that anyone serves, you’re all still giving and making sacrifices that few in this country are willing to make! I thank each and every one of you for that!
Ditto Terri. That was a wonderful post, Cpl M. Thanks.
Thanks Cpl M. I am proud of the fact that our country has such upstanding individuals such as yourself.
Great post Cpl M. Thank you for your service.
Great post Cpl. M.. I easily identified with your post comments. Thank you for sharing your reasons. Thank you for your service and sacrifices.
Great post, Marcus! Thank you for everything that you do–and everything you have given up.
I’d like to add my kudos to your post as well. I have said the same things (I’m retired after 20 years) as to why I served. Those in the civilian sector apparently don’t understand terms such as “Duty, Honor, Country.” I had hoped to pass on to my sons a better country; however, since my retirement, I question whether or not I have in fact passed a better life on to them. Keep your chin up, my friend.
Thanks Cpl M, the threats we encounter are no match for the will – of just a relative few – of the US military to defend freedom and spread the rule of law over the law of tyrants.
I appreciate your sharing your reasons. That’s one of my favorite things to hear about from someone in the military. You do us proud!
I never had the honor of serving in the US military. I wanted to but it was not to be. I tried to enlist back in 1967 but I ended up failing my physical and became 4-F. The US did not want me because I was diagnosed with diabetis at the same time. I have always felt that I have never been good enough to be an American because I have only taken what others have sacrificed to give me, such as freedom and the comforts of American lifestyle. I salute all those who have served and I also feel like I have failed to be of any use to the USA. I only wish I could have been a good soldier and American that I could personally relate to.