USMC

Yesterday, we attended the graduation of my great-nephew, Aaron, from USMC Boot Camp at MCRD Parris Island SC.

I've known many Marines over the years, from with my time in Navy ROTC at Ohio State, through adulthood. There's something special about these men and women. They've done something few ever do -- survive Marine Basic Training and earn the title of US Marine. They've joined a community of professional warriors who remain bonded to each other throughout their lives.

My nephew is one. He's one of The Few, The Proud, The Marines.

I'm just proud. Way to go Aaron.

UPDATE July 4th 2006: Aaron's unit, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marines, has now been in Iraq for several months now. They were recently written about in Time Magazine, as being in one of the tougher spot. He's manning the 50cal on the top of a Humvee as they sweep the cities looking for bad guys. He's had his helmet shot off his head, and has lost some hearing due to an Improvised Explosive Device going off near his vehicle.

UPDATE: Dec 2006. Aaron made it home safely from Iraq. His unit is schedule to redeploy as an embarked Marine Expeditionary Unit sometime in 2007.