The Death of the Marine Corps, Chapter 1 (Updated, bumped) Contributed by Bill Faith
The Death of the Marine Corps, Chapter 1 Kit Jarrell
Imagine for a moment that you are a member of perhaps the proudest group of warriors the world has ever seen; a “band of brothers” that embodies the seemingly long-forgotten traits of honor, duty, and country. Every line of your uniform, from its gold buttons to the blood-red stripe down the pants leg, was earned in blood; each part of it was born in your history. Every time you put it on, you are reminded of those who have come before you, those who have made your heritage what it is. Your brotherhood, this nearly mythical bond, is signified by two words that somehow encompass everything you stand for. They are not just words, however, but a promise, a solemn commitment that will be kept even if it means you will die keeping it. Semper fidelis: always faithful.
By your hand and the hand of your brothers-in-arms, the freedom of the United States of America stands. Your brothers have fought on every continent for over two hundred years, with a resolute courage and ferocity so incredible that even your enemies called you teufelheunden–devil dogs. There is not a better fighting force anywhere in the world, and being a part of it is the proudest thing you will ever accomplish.
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Now imagine that you are sitting in an 8×8 cell, as are seven of your brothers, waiting to find out if your promise to remain faithful will in fact result in your death–not in a hail of enemy fire, not in the blinding explosion of a terrorist’s bomb, but by the sterile needle of a lethal injection, administered by the very country you spent your adult life defending. ...
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*** Update and bump
Chapter 2:
Chapter 3:
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Chapter 4: (Hat tip: )
Contributed by Bill Faith on July 23, 2006 at 04:58 PM in , , , |