S. Dixon- Touching comment, in a way that only a Marine could write.

Guest- I am reminded of comments from a crusty old Sergeant Major when addressing his detractors: That’s OK, we all know cream rises to the top and when it does, I won’t see you there.

Bill- Your comments reflect my views. Why do we sign on the line and promise to make the necessary sacrifices? …Because nobody else will.

Jeb- And judging by the young Marines I see today, we always will do it best.

S. Dixon- Touching comment, in a way that only a Marine could write.

Guest- I am reminded of comments from a crusty old Sergeant Major when addressing his detractors: \”That\’s OK, we all know cream rises to the top and when it does, I won\’t see you there.\”

Bill- Your comments reflect my views. Why do we sign on the line and promise to make the necessary sacrifices? …Because nobody else will.

Jeb- And judging by the young Marines I see today, we always will do it best.

S. Dixon- Touching comment, in a way that only a Marine could write.

Guest- I’m reminded of comments from a crusty old Sergeant Major when addressing his detractors: “That’s OK, we all know cream rises to the top and when it does, I won’t see you there.”

Bill- Your comments reflect my views. Why do we sign on the line and promise to make the necessary sacrifices? …Because nobody else will.

I remember at a very early age telling some of my foster fathers (DIs) that I had no one to play with. They told me that they would play with me and I should \”improvise.\” I did and I had a grand time.

One day I told one of my foster fathers (I later learned he was my father\’s First Sargent) that I had no toys. He said \”adapt\” and he found two sticks that we broke into little pistol \’look-a-likes\’ and we played cowboys and Indians for the whole day. I never had so much fun.

Later, when I was 6 or seven, my DI father taught me to swim in a fashion only he would do. He rowed me to the middle of my grandfather\’s pond and tossed me in. I yelled \”I can\’t swim\” and he calmly said \”overcome.\” I did and now I swim like a fish.

My father forbid me to serve because he served in WWII, Korea and Viet Nam, and did so that his sons would never have to taste battle again. I tried to enlist, but he he said \’never again\’ and told me that he had promised my mother that his service stood as reminder that his family had done its duty. Two purple hearts, and a cabbage patch on his chest proved that. Despite my pleas, his will remained and my only service was to learn and carry on what 17 years of \’personal\’ boot camp had taught me.

All of my foster fathers on Parris Island always told me that I was their \’Little Marine\’ and that no matter what, I was expected to behave like a Marine. I never joined. I never served. But to this day I try every day to live the way they taught me. First, always be faithful to your brother. Then, learn to improvise, adapt and overcome.

My father has long since passed, as have all my foster fathers. But I have never forgot what they taught me. I may not be able to claim the title of Marine, but I have done my best to live up to those standards. And it has served me well in my life.

So, for you that may be in doubt at some point in your life…I give you these three words of advice: Improvise, Adapt, Overcome.

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