I came across today in the New York Times. It is the first of a multiple day series. These are the stories of Marines who are still fighting; now the enemy are their wounds and not the Taliban, while their bodies may be broken their fighting spirit is not. When we hear all the negative comments about this or that, these stories inspire me and remind me that our future is bright, that the generation these Marines represent has True Grit.
Leadership at its Best
From SWJ an article in Stars and Stripes regarding General Mattis’ leadership.
Worth Reading
” I sought the Lord and He answered me.” Psalm 34:4 The Last Six Seconds One can hardly conceive of the enormous grief held quietly within General Kelly as he spoke. ____________ On Nov 13, 2010, Lt General John Kelly, USMC gave a speech to the Semper Fi Society of St. Louis , MO. This was 4 days after his son, Lt Robert Kelly, USMC was killed by an IED while on his 3rd Combat tour. During his speech, General Kelly spoke about the dedication and valor of our young men and women who step forward each and every day to [...]
The Captain Has Balls
Captain Nathan Cox USMC has a set, his opinion piece in today’s Washington-Post, takes the Commandant of the Marine Corps to task over DADT. When I was a Captain, I would not have been so bold. Agree or disagree with him, hats off to him for taking a bold stance.
DADT and the USMC; One Woman’s Perspective
Regardless of one’s view regarding the repeal of DADT; I would commend this opinion piece from the today’s Washington-Post. While the author argues for the repeal of DADT; she has high praise for the men and women of the USMC, and provides thoughtful insights into why many of the leaders of the USMC resist repealing DADT.
Send Away The Marines
Provocative editorial by Frank Gaffney in the Washington Times. I would have posted earlier but we have had problems doing so this week.
Too Good Not to Share
I do not know if this story is true, even if it isn’t, it is too good not to post, the subject of the story is General Al Gray, former Commandant of the USMC.
Risk and the Military
An article from Slate, on the subject of Risk and the Military. A very interesting portrait of a warrior scholar, General Mattis.
Development of Counter Insurgency
There is a new blog section at Washington Post, the Political Bookworm, today there was a guest blog by Historian Mark Perry in which how the first steps were taken in turning insurgents to the US side. One of the actors in this drama was my Brother Rat, Colonel John “JC” Coleman USMC, then Chief of Staff of the I MEF Camp Pendleton California. Here is the blog, “Time to Talk to Terrorists.” Rah Va MIl 76 76 76.
Why We Serve–A Young Marine Lieutenant's Perspective
This was too good not to share; while he speaks of the USMC; he speaks volumes about all who serve regardless of service. When I read something like this, the despair I feel about the future evaporates as I know our country will be in good hands. February 18, 2010 The Making of a Marine “Ultimately … [it] was a duty I could not, and should not, leave for others to assume.” The short essay below is by Jordan Blashek, Princeton 2009, who decided to turn down acceptance to medical school to join the U.S. Marine Corps and enter its [...]
