Tonight I attended a Marine Corps League Birthday Ball at the Reagan Library. It was a wonderful night and I got to meet a whole crop of old timers who had served in WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Beirut, Somalia and of course some Iraq and Afghanistan vets. The Marine Corps certainly has its flaws but recognition of its own history and traditions is not one of them. There are Marine legends like Chesty Puller, Dan Daley, and John Lejeune that every Marine knows well, but the average American has probably never heard of. Generally the Marine Corps attracts all the type "A" men of America to come and fight for something greater than themselves, and the sons of America have never failed to respond to the needs of the Marine Corps who has never missed a recruiting goal. It was a pure honor to sit amongst such men who were such an incredible part of American history, but who America has generally forgotten. For instance, I met a 76 year old man tonight who joined the Marine Corps in 1948, did 22 years, with a tour in Korea in 1951 and 3 tours to Vietnam throughout the 1960's. He wore his dress blues with pride, donning the same uniform, and of the same rank that I was. Unfortunately, I've been hitting the civilian buffet a bit to hard and I wouldnt even fit into my blues if I wanted to, yet here was this guy at 76, looking like he had just gotten out last year. No doubt, the comradarie amongst Marines is high, and the level of service to this nation exudes in the pride of every man and woman that was present, transparently so when they snapped to attention when the National Anthem was played. Sadly, sometimes it seems as though we throw our history out now a days. Men fought and bled to give us liberty, and we vote it away. Men fought and died to allow us to vote, and many stay at home because they didnt really feel like it this year. Men fought and died to preserve a heritage and way of life that was worth it, and all we can do is complain about what we don't have. The perspective in that room was astounding. I met a man who served in a platoon of 42 men in Korea, and brought only 4 home-- you think he wants to "fundamentally transform America?" Men didn't fight and watch their fellow American's die simply for us to forget. I will never forget. When I stood over the grave of my little brother and cried until I had no more fluid in my body, I committed myself to this nation forever. I will try to be an American who will never let others forget about who we are as a people, and where we came from. 25,000 dead in the Revolutionary War, 20,000 dead in the War of 1812, 625,000 dead in the Civil War, 116,000 dead in WWI, 405,000 dead in WWII, 36,000 dead in Korea, 58,000 dead in Vietnam, and close to 5,000 dead in both Iraq and Afghanistan. All young, all with families who loved them, mostly men, and usually under miserable conditions-- sub-zero in Korea, 130+ in Iraq, uncomfortable, sweaty, flies all over them, tired and hungry-- and then they die by unforgiving violence, all so we can live without the reign of tyranny over our heads, all so we can go to the mall and complain about the slide in the economy, all so we can eat ribs at Claim Jumpers and complain about global warming. We are ungrateful, we don't deserve what these men have done for us, and you wonder what drives my conservatism- it's these fine men and women. Those that fight for conviction and ideals, while politicians start fights for money and power. These old timers are the backbone of what it is to be an American, they have perspective and respect. What have you ever done for this nation that gives you the right to complain? Oh yeah, you were born here, good for you...

"Mellior Morrior Bellator, Quam Ago Profugus"--

Better to die a Soldier, than to live a coward