A Marine Thank You

[thedrifter]

SUNDAY, JUNE 30, 2002 - ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA

A young Marine restores my faith

Golden Pen Award
Each Sunday The Orange Register recognizes a letter that eloquently expresses a viewpoint or engenders a debate on a topic of public interest.
Today's winner is Ann Baker, a real-estate agent who lives in Huntington Beach
It was our normal Thursday morning business meeting at our real-estate office. No big deal. Before the meeting we hung around the bagel table, as usual, with our coffee. He stood aside, looking a little shy and awkward and very young, a new face in a room full of extroverted salespeople. An average looking guy, maybe 5 feet 8 inches. A clean-cut, sweet-faced kid. I went over to chat with him. Maybe he was a new salesman?


He said he was just back from Kabul, Afghanistan. A Marine. Our office (and a local school) had been supportive by sending letters to him and other troops, which he had posted on the American Embassy door in Kabul. He stood guard there for four months and was shot at daily.


He had come to our office to thank us for our support, for all the letters during those scary times. I couldn't believe my ears. He wanted to thank us? We should be thanking him. But how? How can I ever show him my appreciation?


At the end of the sales meeting, he stepped quietly forward, no incredible hulk. As a matter of fact, he looked for all the world 15 years old to me. (The older I get, the younger they look.)


This young Marine, this clean-faced boy, had no qualms stepping up to the plate and dodging bullets so that I might enjoy the freedom to live my peaceful life in the land of the free. No matter the risk. Suddenly the most stressful concerns of my life seemed as nothing, my complacency flew right out the window with his every word. Somewhere, somehow, he had taken the words honor, courage and commitment into his very soul and laid his life on the line daily for me and us. A man of principle. He wants to do it. Relishes it. And he came to thank us? For a few letters? I fought back the tears as he spoke so briefly and softly.


He walked forward to our manager and placed a properly folded American flag in his hands. It had flown over the Embassy. He said thanks again. You could hear a pin drop. As I looked around I saw red faces everywhere fighting back the tears.


In a heartbeat, my disillusionment with young people today quickly vanished. In ordinary homes, in ordinary towns, kids like him are growing up proud to be an American and willing to die for it. Wow. We'll frame the flag and put it in the lobby. He only came to my office once, for just a few minutes. But I realize I rubbed shoulders with greatness in the flesh and in the twinkling of an eye my life is forever changed. His name is Michael Mendez, a corporal in the USMC. We are a great nation. We know because the makings of it walked into my office that day.


Ann Baker
Huntington Beach

Sempers,

Roger

Graphic Created by Doug Kidd

[DMZ-LT]

Great story Roger, thanks for sharing. Something keeps getting in my eye.

[SEATJERKER]

...the average person out in our Nation could see...
.. the elite, and what it entails to become one, ...
...To be a Veteran,...
... not just the Marines,
... or the Army,...
... Navy,...
... Air Force,...
... Coast guard...
...to be a Veteran of this Nation is the greatest Honor of all...

...If only the average person our in our Nation could see...

[AndiMGrant]

Hi Roger,
My husband was an MSG serving in Syria and Portugal. I was in the Foreign Service at Embassy Portugal and met him there (another story...)
When my hsuband eft Syria, they gave him the flag that flew over the Embassy. We have it in our basement displaying proudly above his weights.

I can't tell you how much that story you wrote warms my heart. Many of the marines who are selected for MSG Duty are chosen. They EARN that slot. They are bright, caring, and yes, VERY young! But they are given a big responsibility - to Guard the Diplomats and protect the Embassy and Consulate and are overseas for over a year at a time. Many marines have lost their lives while on MSG Duty overseas.

I was one of the few Diplomats that appreciated our Marine Security Guards and recognized them with Embassy awards whenever possible.

Thanks for a lovely story.
Semper Fi,
Andi