In just under six months I’m going to retire for the first time and I’m only going to be 38. For the past twenty years I have served my country as a US Marine, and it has been a great journey from snot nosed kid to wizened old Gunny. But all things must end, and my time is growing near. As I look forward into the next few months I face not only the anticipation of a new life and new challenges, but the fear of the unknown. It has been a long time since I was on the other side of the fence and a ...

A friend who is also a retired Marine forwarded this to me today, and it warmed my heart to read. So I hope it warms a couple of yours. From: Kane LCpl Jessica R Date: November 26, 2004 3:13:33 AM EST Subject: A Thanksgiving Story Dear Mom and Dad, I, as most would of thought, was expecting a very homesick Thanksgiving. Although I wish I could have been home, my Thanksgiving was filled with motivation and inspiration. To start off, the unit got together and the CO said a...