First school is ending and all the kiddies will be on vacation.
Its a sad fact that some won't be returning to school or anything else, due to accidents or anything one can imagine.
Now, I want to address something that troubles me, the term 'A Real Marine', there no such animal, there just Marines, United States Marines.
Who are members of the United States Marine Corps, who gain entry by going through boot camp and graduating.
They all, go through the same training regardless of Military Occupational Specialty or MOS, all are required to complete all phases of training.
A Military Occupational Specialty, is just a job description of what a Marines does in the Corps, to fore-fill the requirements of the Corps, many a Marine has found that the needs of the Corps come before his or her individual needs.
It those composite Military Occupational Specialties that make the United States Marine Corps, who's member bear the title of a United States Marine or just Marine.
Who are united under a set of core values, which results in the espit de corps that makes the Marine Corps the fighting force it is, there's no mention of the term 'A Real Marine' because it does not exist or should it exist if the Corps will go on and be regarded for what it note for.
I had the privilege to serve in the Corps for ten years, among some of the finest men and women of this nation, some died serving, some died later in live but they lived their core values.
I would be remissed if I didn't state that a few fell short of living their core values.
These we list as ex-marines because if the saying Once a Marine, Always a Marine is true, them failing to live their core values does indeed make them ex-marines.
Well so much for now, enjoy your summer but also be carefull of those hot days, also check on your neighbor.

Semper Fidelis
Ricardo