I’ve kicked around a few idea’s about how I want to talk about today. Using a comedic, serious or informative take on my experience in the Marine Corps but I think I’m going to just give an honest expression of what the Marine Corps gave to me.

I didn’t finish school in the traditional sense I was living in San Francisco getting an education in Hydroponics and Turn-Tablism ‪#‎Scratchin‬ When the War in Iraq started. I didn’t argue the merits of how or why but neither did to many people in government. All I knew was that every generation of American’s before me heard the Call to Arms how could I feign being deaf. So I dropped out of school and enlisted in the Marine Corps where I resumed my education and received a Doctorate in Pain, Misery and Suffering. ‪#‎Recon‬

Pain… In my body, Its okay I like it there- Because as long as it resided in my mind and body it meant I was still alive and my friends and family didn’t have to endure a greater pain.

Misery… Being constantly reminded that Im worthless for the first year of my career. Never seeing women for 7 months at a time and going to summer Camp’s called Fallujah, Ramadi and Baghdad. Where we constantly fought with the rival campers.

Suffering… Watching brothers take their last breath while I continue to hold onto life with contempt.

There was beauty in my time in as well (Except none of it existed around Jacksonville North Carolina where I spent my first enlistment.) and an appreciation for all things in life. After learning and having an intimate relationship with Pain, Misery and Suffering life has taken on a different taste. My brothers may have only lived a short time comparatively to most but they lived every fucking day to the fullest. Where most never truly live for themselves at all but choose to die a little each day. All things considered Id rather live a short life and die by a bullet then celebrate 100 years of being crippled by an unfulfilled life.

Over the years people have asked me if I would do it all over again. Im not offended by the question but I try to impress upon those who ask that my service made me the man I am today and if going back meant I might not be standing here it wouldn’t effect my decision because freedom has a different taste for those who have fought for it.

On this November 10th 2015 I’d like to thank all of my Marine Brothers that await me in Valhalla.

Burridge
Snyder
Brown
Barbosa
Jacobs
Lundstrom
Medley
Sprotzoff
Prazinski
Stanton
Hefflin
Frazier