Why We Serve – Cpl M
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.
Terri
February 7th, 2007 at 12:36 pmThanks 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!
Carole
February 7th, 2007 at 5:35 pmDitto Terri. That was a wonderful post, Cpl M. Thanks.
TracieH, Soldiers' Angels
February 7th, 2007 at 7:03 pmThanks Cpl M. I am proud of the fact that our country has such upstanding individuals such as yourself.
Tracy
February 7th, 2007 at 10:44 pmGreat post Cpl M. Thank you for your service.
devildog6771
February 8th, 2007 at 10:07 amGreat post Cpl. M.. I easily identified with your post comments. Thank you for sharing your reasons. Thank you for your service and sacrifices.
Katie
February 8th, 2007 at 1:09 pmGreat post, Marcus! Thank you for everything that you do–and everything you have given up.
Jon
February 8th, 2007 at 3:57 pmI’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.
rob
February 8th, 2007 at 4:45 pmThanks 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.
yankeemom
February 8th, 2007 at 6:42 pmI appreciate your sharing your reasons. That’s one of my favorite things to hear about from someone in the military. You do us proud!
Leon
December 26th, 2008 at 7:50 pmI 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.