The End of the Road and, Man, What a Ride

Today mark’s the official end of the most important chapter of my life. Today is my last official day a part of the United States Marine Corps as I retire out of the Marine Corps Reserves after a combined total of exactly 28 years and 1 week of Service. (31 years and 333 days is you count my USNA time.)

As I have closed out my career, my emotions have been all over the map. But one has been consistent: PRIDE.

Pride in my service; pride to be a link in a very long chain of great men and women; pride in getting to serve along side the best people I have ever known. That last one is what it is really all about: my fellow Marines. I did not serve with them, I served for them and because of them. When times were tough, it was another Marine – usually a smart aleck Lance Corporal – who would provide the motivation to keep driving on.?In 28 plus years, there is one indelible truth I have learned – it is Marines that make the Marine Corps special, and I am going to miss rubbing shoulders with them on a regular basis.?

So tomorrow morning when I wake up for the first time since July 3, 1990 without an affiliation with the U.S. military I will feel secure in knowing that the next generation of warriors are out there doing what Marines do.

Instead of trying to be profound on my own, I will end with my two favorite quotes about Marines:

The Marines I have seen around the world have the cleanest bodies, the filthiest minds, the highest morale, and the lowest morals of any group of animals I have ever seen. Thank God for the United States Marine Corps! - Eleanor Roosevelt

Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference in this world. The Marines don't have that problem. – President Ronald Reagan

?Semper Fi – Lewis?