THE MARINES

Well, you should reasonably know that Marines are never born.....they are former civilians that are reborn. Not everyone can be a Marine, and almost nobody has the qualities until they have been tempered in the cauldron of recruit training. I was no different.....before I became a paragon of virtue, I was as helpless as a baby.......in fact, I was a baby! At 4 months of age, I was ready and willing to take on the world! I already knew a little bit about cover and concealment, but I did not have the correct scenario in which to polish my newly-acquired skill! So, I made up for my inability to train by utilizing delaying tactics on my mom when she was changing my diaper.......already, the wheels had begun to turn, and I knew it was just a matter of time before I would finally be able to launch my first full-scale assault! Just look at that gleam in my eyes! Notice the wide open mouth, with the full extension of the lower jaw, just waiting for the day when I would be a Drill Instructor and shake buildings with my voice, and make young men urinate down the leg of their camouflage utility trousers! Ah, if only they had known.......

As I grew older, I reassessed my values, and decided that I should build on my integrity, as I knew this to be the basic foundation of any relationship, whether for lovers or for leaders. To begin this base, I realized I would have to expose my very soul to the scrutiny of others.....knowing how hard it would be to expose my soul, I chose to start with something a little easier! That's right, someone as outgoing and forward as myself should have nothing to hide, should I? I was going to do this the right way! Okay, I admit it, I have always been a little quicker than most to lead by example, but exposing myself left me a little confused for a while.....I couldn't quite understand why so many people were always there taking pictures........could it be this integrity thing was so rare that I was being looked upon as a model for others, and they just wanted to have a visual corroboration? Well, at 10 months of age, I was not going to let the particulars of people's actions control my own. Right then, as I noticed the draft in the room, I resolved to always do my own thing, as long as I could always say that it felt like the right thing to do, and didn't hurt anyone......and believe me, I have! Anyway, the rest of the story is mired in the mud; perhaps, if the demand is great enough, I shall endeavor to regale you with the delightful tales of my growing up....until then, I shall maintain obscurity, except to leave you with this minute detail: I still like to strip away the layers.......heheheheh!

The best things in life are never rationed; friendship, loyalty, and love do not require coupons.... -George T. Hewitt