A Reluctant Veteran

Yet another Marine Corps birthday has arrived, 235 this year, and another Veterans' Day too.  When I look back at the last ten years, split between reserve and active time, it’s difficult for me to fathom the legacy that I am now a part of.  Volunteers have been filling the ranks for more years than this nation has been in existence.  Men and women have put their lives on the line time and again for each other, their families, and their country … regardless of how self-absorbed, oblivious and opinionated its citizens may be.

I heard an officer recently discussing the status of the nation and its armed conflicts abroad.  He was discussing the attitudes of the modern America citizen and he declared: “The nation may not be at war, but the Marines are.”  The more I ponder that statement the more I agree with him.  Very few people in this country are humble and selfless enough to comprehend the fact that sometimes action must be taken.  Disagreement is welcomed in this free land, but when your obstinacy and ego become divisive to the very fabric of the nation … then you need to shut the hell up or join the ranks and make a change.

Long passed are the days when a President could challenge this country: “Ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country”.  The citizenry of this nation are so caught up in what they ‘deserve’, what infinitesimal ‘civil right’ has been violated and who they can sue for compensation, and how they can better their situation without working for it that it seems no one is willing to make a sacrifice for the greater good.

What’s even harder to deal with is that President Kennedy went on to challenge the other nations of this world: “Ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.”  Between the squabbling and inaction, it seems no nation will do what needs to be done.  This is a time when America needs to be the decisive leader amongst her peers, but America’s leadership is petty, career-minded, and continually embarrassing her own military personnel – the ones responsible to do the hard deeds that need be done.  America has been crippled by those who were supposed to strengthen her.  She can no longer stand as she needs to, as this world needs her to.

So, it’s with a heavy heart that I celebrate this Veterans’ Day, a day to honor the men and women who have come before.  I feel as though the majority of leadership in this country, and the majority of the citizenry, is not worthy to share a nation with those who act as military member and civil servants (Police, EMS, Fire … not counsel members and other such haughty folk, actual heroes) .  There are those who love and support us, no matter what, and we the servants of Lady Liberty cannot thank them enough.  As for the rest of this nation … Your existence has become disgusting and pathetic, so get your act together, volunteer, participate, relocate, or shut up. 

Semper Fi, VANSO, & SAFA.

~ Ryan

Happy Birthday Marines!

Since this is a blog about mine and Ryan’s life together I want to take this opportunity to write to him…

Dear Sgt. Davis:

On this 235^th birthday I hope you know the pride I have because of you. Your honor courage and commitment keep me in awe and I feel so blessed that you have brought me into this lifestyle, I say lifestyle because that’s really what it is. My love, you eat, breath, sleep and bleed Marine Corps and I wouldn’t change it for the world or want to stand by anyone else’s side. You are the epitome of Semper Fidelis  and the true meaning of the word hero. (I know you’re reading this saying “stop, no I’m not” and yes Ry you are) The truth is, you had a choice to enlist, put your uniform on and be called to duty when you are needed and that takes a rare kind of man, I admire that man and strive to be more like him. So let’s celebrate the United States Marine Corps with a big ‘ol OORAH and for us, we enjoy our night at the Ball!

I look forward to being on your arm, Love Always,

FMD -Krista

Sometimes Life Just Happens

(the story to follow is my version... the best version!)

Finally a charger for my phone, I hate being without it! Especially on that drive..... 3 missed calls and 2 voice mails from Ryan Davis..... REALLY?

The previous day:

I finally came to the tail end of my 2 hour drive to Emm's place, to hang with her for the last weekend before her Mr. was due home from his MEU. I came up to Ammunition Way and thought, “pretty sweet street name for a bunch of jarheads to live off of. Hopefully tonight will be a lot less eventful than last time, I can’t seem to live down the broken window incident at 10." Upon my arrival, Emm greeted me with a warm welcome, a glass of wine and excited plans for a party we were to attend that night. “His name is Rocket, I told him about you and he wants to meet you.” As Emm gave me a sly smirk we heard “N”, one of the boys from 10 come through the front door as he had been sent over to get us, “They’re making Well Water” he said excitedly. I didn’t even want to know what that was but I asked who was all there, N rattled off: name I knew, so and so’s wife, name I knew, name I knew, so and so’s wife, Sgt. Davis, and another name I knew.

Emm looked over at me questioningly and we agreed to head over to 10 just for a little until we went to the other party. Emm and I walked down the street and into 10 without a knock as it wasn't customary there and I immediately recognized everyone..... except who I presumed to be Sgt. Davis, typical college looking frat boy type. Whatever bring on the fun! As the night went on I took my place in the Well Water line next to him “Hi! I’m Ryan or Steven or Red” aka Sgt. Davis. Every time the mystery drink was passed I apologized to him about my cherry lip-gloss being all over the pot. He reassured me that he didn’t mind and we held a casual conversation about the basics, while I thought to myself “this guy looks like he is probably a professional heart breaker, good thing I am completely not interested."

The sun began to peak through the sliding glass door as I tried to open my eyes but I was too warm and comfortable to have a care in the world, I felt nice and safe so I drifted back to sleep. A short time after, I awoke by a knock on the door, I got up to answer it, feeling a dizzy spell and the onset of an enormous headache. I groaned and greeted “our neighbor” with a shy smile and covered eyes, she greeted me with a cappuccino. Emm came from her room and began to rattle around in the kitchen, starting breakfast. I asked the couch dweller to stay and he answered with a polite nod, telling me he would be back after a quick shower down at 10. After the door closed behind him, I burst into hysterical laughter and the girls soon followed in.

Breakfast fell on my tongue sort of tasteless not because it wasn’t good (it was delicious) but I was too busy collecting my thoughts about the party the previous night. We all talked and cracked jokes as we ate and I would occasionally catch myself staring at him, he looked different now, somehow more gentle and less “Marine.” We cleared our plates and helped Emm pick up before her big homecoming the following day. He gathered his things and I quickly decided it would be appropriate to walk him out, I followed down the stairs staying fairly mum. After giving me a grand speech about fun, feelings, complicated and can’t, we exchanged numbers and an insincere kiss. I walked away sort of stunned, not because I hoped anything would come of meeting him, quite the opposite actually, I assumed I’d never see him again but his honesty did kind of shake me. I walked back to Emm's dazed, grabbed my bag and said my goodbyes. I got in the car and reached for my phone to call my sister to let her know I was on my way home since I had been completely MIA the previous night. Super! My phone was dead. I sighed heavily, composed myself and headed home down a road that I’d never again drive alone.

P.S. - Never did meet Rocket but I'm sure he's a nice guy :)

SA&LC,

Krista

Life: 10% Planning, 90% Just Going With The Flow

(The following, is the story according to Ryan - which means it’s true!)

In the beginning…

I was a bit confused at the time, but it didn’t matter.  Why would it?  I had been confused before, sometimes a bit of a headache, sometimes even sick, but foolish times were behind me.  No headache, no upset stomach, just a bit of confusion.  Not too bad of a start to the day.

I walked around searching for my sandals and making notes on my surroundings.  I found my sandals, slipped them on, drifted towards the couch I had woken up on, and collapsed back into its warm embrace.  I could hear the sounds of women talking and starting breakfast in the next room; one kept leaving and returning, each time with more gourmet coffee.  I scratched my head and announced that I was headed out, but that I would be back for breakfast.  No one objected, so I grabbed my cup of coffee, gathered my wits and headed back over to TEN. 

TEN, make no mistake, was not a club nor a bar, nor any such place of desperation or depravity.  TEN was a modest apartment, inhabited by my friend and his (then) wife, designated as #10 within the complex, and our local hangout.  It was my weekend base of operations, a place with a welcoming couch that I could call ‘sanctuary’.  I hadn’t been hanging around my home lately, well, because there wasn’t anything left in my home to hang around, so I wandered.  I missed the friends I had been sequestered away from and was now free to visit them as I pleased … and it pleased me to visit them every weekend all weekend.

I nudged open an unlocked door and announced my presence.  No one seemed awake yet.  I stripped, hopped in the shower and dressed again.  Same clothes, anything else would seem inappropriate for the weekend.  I rubbed my face and felt the prickle of the two-day old growth.  Jay stumbled out of his room and seemed surprised to see me.  I informed him that I was there to wash up, collect my few things and head back over to “the girls’ place” for breakfast. He chuckled and wished me luck.  A toasted shot of rum, a swig of coffee and I was on my way.

Beautiful morning sun, cool crisp air and a pleasant aroma accompanied me on the brief stroll across the street.  I side-stepped in avoidance of some broken glass, paused a moment to consider the possibility that I may have had something to do with the glistening collection of kilned shards on the ground, “nah”.  I kept on.  Chocolate chip pancakes, banana slices, sausage and orange juice, it was a wonderful breakfast.  It was a touch awkward, as I sat amongst three ladies who seemed intent upon staring at the man who had carelessly fallen asleep on their couch, but not too off-putting.  It was what it was, and we laughed.

She, Krista, walked me out and I declared my enjoyment for an evening I dared say I somewhat remembered.  Foolishness had momentarily breached the perimeter of mature responsibility.  She was polite and comforting.  We exchanged telephone numbers and spoke as if we’d never cross paths again, very neutral and distant, but that was the way.  A quick hug and innocent kiss, and I was off, or so I thought.

That was then, this is now . . . and happier I could not be.

SA&LC,

Ryan