This note has (almost) nothing to do with cigars, except that two of the subjects, people very close to me, were avid cigar smokers.
I was reading the reply by 2nd Lt James Anderson of the British Army in the New Members thread introduced by cigarsmoka. I wanted to repond to him but decided to make this an open letter to all military personnel who have served and are currently serving around the world.
This is the greatest life-lesson I ever knew; please bear with me.
My great-grandfather, grandfather and father were all United States Marines. My great-grandfather was in WWI; my grandfather served in WWII; my father was in Korea. I graduated from High School in 1978, which, of course, was post-Vietnam and post-Draft. Because of their service I felt I should do my bit, as well. In discussing this with my grandfather (who, on December 8th, 1941, enlisted, lying about his age by saying his was 25 when he was really 35) I felt guilty because I really wanted to go to college, which none of the above-mentioned gentlemen were able to do. To my surprise, he discouraged me from enlisting. I will never forget when he put his big Marine-hand on my shoulder and said...
"Grandson, the reason we served was so that, MAYBE, you wouldn't have to."
I have nothing but respect for these guys and also for all of you out there now who do so as VOLUNTEERS. So, on behalf of an largely selfish generation, allow me to say this...
"Thank you for serving, so that the rest of us don't HAVE to."
May you enjoy your fine cigars under God's protective hand, as we enjoy ours in freedom.
And oh, by the way, Semper Fi!
I was reading the reply by 2nd Lt James Anderson of the British Army in the New Members thread introduced by cigarsmoka. I wanted to repond to him but decided to make this an open letter to all military personnel who have served and are currently serving around the world.
This is the greatest life-lesson I ever knew; please bear with me.
My great-grandfather, grandfather and father were all United States Marines. My great-grandfather was in WWI; my grandfather served in WWII; my father was in Korea. I graduated from High School in 1978, which, of course, was post-Vietnam and post-Draft. Because of their service I felt I should do my bit, as well. In discussing this with my grandfather (who, on December 8th, 1941, enlisted, lying about his age by saying his was 25 when he was really 35) I felt guilty because I really wanted to go to college, which none of the above-mentioned gentlemen were able to do. To my surprise, he discouraged me from enlisting. I will never forget when he put his big Marine-hand on my shoulder and said...
"Grandson, the reason we served was so that, MAYBE, you wouldn't have to."
I have nothing but respect for these guys and also for all of you out there now who do so as VOLUNTEERS. So, on behalf of an largely selfish generation, allow me to say this...
"Thank you for serving, so that the rest of us don't HAVE to."
May you enjoy your fine cigars under God's protective hand, as we enjoy ours in freedom.
And oh, by the way, Semper Fi!