To All Mothers Of Marines

2014 May 11 Richard

Yes, for Mother's Day, and as a Dad of a Marine to remember the place a Mother of a Marine has I wrote this a few years back.

Mama, what your baby called you,

They grew up fast and called you MOM.

You knew they wanted to be someone

In your heart, and hopes, and prayers beyond.

Maybe unknown where the desire came from,

Maybe some name upon a wall.

Whatever he or she would choose

You wanted them to stand tall.

Some had their goal early to be one,

Others long remained unsure.

Finally each had their mind made up,

Their trip to boot camp was the only cure.

The silent weeks passed by slowly

And changes were made sight unseen.

When the Crucible was over

You finally met your new Marine!

Here was then a new beginning,

A huge new family and acronyms,

Where to go for their SOI?

Getting it right? The chances slim.

One or two more graduations

Then they leave for their PDS.

And they’ll train and train some more.

When they’ll deploy is anyone’s guess.

They may stand on some distant island

Now learning vividly the fight to gain the shore,

Or they may walk in the shadow

Of valiant men in another war.

They are your sons and your daughters.

You are proud they always do their best!

You are grateful to see them anytime,

Even when a loved one is laid to rest.

So Marine Mom, be proud you are one,

That which cannot be taken away

Knowing they have become the example

Another little one will follow someday.

For some your Marine’s time is over.

Others your Marine has only begun.

But in all you couldn’t be prouder

Of your Marine, your daughter or son!

(Photo image credits: All my own excepting my Marine walking by the Korean War Memorial on the Mall in Washington, DC (by my oldest son), the picture of my Marine on Iwo Jima taken by a fellow Marine during training on Iwo Jima), and the National Archives for the B&W image of the flag raised on Iwo Jima, Japan)