Cleaning up the Corps, one Marine at a Time

It can be strongly argued that the most revered and respected branches of the United States military are the United States Marines.  This began back in 1775 and with each passing year the methods have adjusted but the primary mission has always been the same.  To protect and defend all Americans and their freedoms from any enemy, foreign or domestic, that seek to eliminate, change of modify those freedoms or oppress those citizens of this nation.  Our fierceness in battle and our uncanny ability to overcome, adapt and hold true to traits like honor, integrity and the Esprit de corps is the hallmark from which others copy is the duty of anyone and everyone who earned that uniform to embarrass and demonstrate for the rest of their lives.  At least that was the way it was during my tour from 1980 till 1991, apparently things may not be the same now.  Not sure if it is because recruiters have been so desperate for recruits that they did very little to get the best of the best or drill instructors have become such boneless chickens that they could no longer summon the courage to forge a man into a Marine.  I say that these days may no longer be by the well written article below titled “Drawing Mohammed & celebrating the right to be an idiot” by Laurie Roberts for The Republic. 

The article reports “An Arizona marine is hosting a 'Draw Muhammad' event outside a Phoenix-area mosque. Local Islamic leaders say they will not engage the protesters. A self-professed patriot (read: Muslim hater) is planning a rally tomorrow in front of a northwest Phoenix mosque. All wrapped up in the American flag and the First Amendment, Jon Ritzheimer says he certainly doesn't want to incite violence.  So naturally, he's planning a Mohammed Cartoon Contest at his rally, which takes place tomorrow evening, right around the time of the mosque's weekly prayer service.  "This will be a PEACEFUL protest in front of the Islamic Community Center …," Ritzheimer wrote on a Facebook page set up for the event, Freedom of Speech Rally Round II. "People are also encouraged to utilize there (sic) second amendment right at this event just in case our first amendment comes under the much anticipated attack."  Don't you mean much hoped for attack, Jon?  "Everyone is encouraged to bring American Flags and any message that you would like to send to the known acquaintances of the 2 gunmen. This Islamic Community Center is a known place that the 2 terrorist frequented," Ritzheimer wrote.  It's also a known place where people of faith worship as they choose. We can do that in America, Jon.”

Here stands a person who claims to not only be a Marine but an atheist and a patriot.  Not sure which one of these things came first but I do know which one he should drop from his title and that is Marine.  Marines defend not agitate, marines stand for the rights of all Americans whether it be African-Americans, Hispanic-Americans, Asian-Americans or Muslim-Americans.  How you became or become an American is of no concern to a Marine that fact that you are is.  At least that was the way it was, I love my Corps and always will but I’m saddened by a few who squeaked through and now uses all those years of struggle, all that blood, sweat and tears shed to build a reputation that the Marine Corps had to make themselves bigger than they ever truly will be.