3/3 RVN Ass’n  Vol  1  Issue 4    09/01/2005                                                                                                Page 4
An Anonymous Canadian Citizen:

"Marines are about the most peculiar breed of human beings I have ever witnessed.
They treat their service as if it was some kind of cult, plastering their emblem on almost everything they own, making themselves up to look like insane fanatics with haircuts so short as to be ungentlemanly, worshipping their Commandant as if he was a god, and making weird animal noises like a band of savages
They'll fight like rabid dogs at the drop of a hat just for the sake of a little action and are the cockiest SOBs I've ever known.
Most have the foulest mouths and drink well beyond man’s normal limits, but their high spirits and sense of brotherhood set them apart and, generally speaking, of the United States Marines with whom I've come in contact, are the most professional warriors and the finest men I've had the pleasure to meet. "

General John J "Black Jack" Pershing, US Army:
"The deadliest weapon in the world is a Marine and his rifle! "
General Mark Clark, US Army:
"The more Marines I have around the better I like it! "
General Johnson, US Army:
"I can never again see a United States Marine without experiencing a feeling of reverence. "

Richard Harding Davis, war correspondent (1885):
"The Marines have landed, and the situation is well in hand."

MajGen J N Mattis, CG, 1st MarDiv - Iraq, March 2003:
"You are part of the world's most feared and trusted fighting force. Engage your brain before you engage your weapon.  Share your courage with each other as we enter the uncertain terrain north of our Line of Departure.  Keep faith in your comrades on your left and right and Marine Air overhead.  Fight with a happy heart and a strong spirit.  For the mission's sake, our country's sake and the sake of the men who carried the Division's colors in past battles -- who fought for life and never lost their nerve -- carry out your mission and keep your honor clean.  Demonstrate to the world there is 'No Better Friend, No Worse Enemy' than a United States Marine."

Eleanor Roosevelt - 1945:
"The Marines I have seen around the world have the cleanest bodies, the filthiest minds, the highest morale, and the lowest morals of any group I have ever seen.  Thank God for the United States Marine Corps."

An Anonymous US Marine:

"I recently attended a Kansas City Chiefs football game at Arrowhead Stadium. Shortly before half-time I looked down on the sidelines near the end zone and saw the Marine Corps' Silent Drill Team forming up.  As the half-time show started, the players left the field and the announcer came on the public address system to advise us of the Drill Team's performance.  Many of us Marines have seen these performances.

in the past and they're always awe-inspiring. I didn't expect that the large civilian crowd of football fans would be as appreciative of the Drill Team as they had been of the high-tech B-2 or the daring of the Navy parachute team. However, I was on the edge of my seat.  As the Drill team marched onto the field, the crowd grew noticeably quieter. Soon, the team was fully into their demonstration.  The stadium was absolutely silent.

From high in the stands' upper reaches where my seats were, I was able to hear the "snap" and "pop" of hands striking rifles.  Both big screen "Jumbotron" scoreboards displayed close ups of the Marines as they went through their routine. As they completed their demonstration and lined up for the inspection, the crowd began cheering as the Marines twirled their rifles in impossible fashion. 
Then came the inspection.  Again, the crowd fell silent and watched intently as rifles were thrown, caught, twirled, inspected and thrown some more.
Each well-practiced feat brought a "wow" or "did you see that?" from those sitting around me. I sat there in silent pride as I watched my brother Marines exit the field.  A young girl behind me asked her mother a question about how the Marines learn to do the things they just did.
The mother replied, "They practice long and hard and they're Marines; they're the best."

     

Semper Fidelis !



Les Johnson


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