Scarlet and Gold

Once again it is 10 November, the United States Marine Corps' birthday. If you've been hanging around here I know you're expecting a long drawn out post about the wonder of the greatest American fighting force. I had that in mind as I drifted off to sleep last night. Imagine my surprise this morning when I awoke to a story that sort of took care of everything for me.Marines Save Hotel GuestsI awoke this morning to the local news as they gave a 1 minute overview of the story. I figured it was a great lead in to a Marine Corps Birthday message. I kept waiting for them to give some video footage, but they never did. I had to dig on the web to find this (the sound doesn't really kick in til 24 seconds in): If the video above does not play click hereSo it seems clear to me that I don't need to repost stories of Marines killing bears in the woods with a stick, or the 80 year old Marine kicking the snot out of a punk pickpocket, or even the Marine who foiled a robbery and shot and killed one of the robbers. (Search my blog for Marine and you'll find those.) Really the best advertisement for Marines is, quite simply, a Marine. Sadly, the goobers on the local news found a way to screw up a great story. The most exciting parts of a news cast are when they "throw it" to the weather guy. Lets face it, the weather guy is like the last kid picked in school for you team in PE. He points at a green screen waves his arms around and reads what is on the screen to you. For this reason, the weather guy usually also gets the "Jester" role. He's the joker, the one no one takes seriously. Sadly, this morning, he could have kept his mouth shut and everything would have gone great. After the story on the Marines, the Weather Wonderkid decides to point out that his father "was" a Marine. We've been over this repeatedly here at Krystal Adventures. The only time you EVER say someone "WAS" a Marine is if they're dead, quite dead, or perhaps dishonorably discharged. As the Marine Hymn says "They are proud to claim the title of United States marines." The minute you try and strip them of that title, you are in danger of getting hit with a stick, shot in a Subway, or pummelled by an 80 year old Marine. For your own safety, it would be wise to read this Wiki article and in particular the part about Culture, Customs, and Traditions. I know, you're probably saying "Jason, perhaps his father IS dead, and thus he could be called a 'former Marine.'" Yes, that might have held water, had the WeatherHead shut up at that point, but no, he had to continue: "Hey, dad, if you're watching, Hooah!" I suspect once WeatherBoy got home he got the spanking of his life. "Hooah" is what the Army screams. Marines yell "OooRAH!" Watch Heartbreak Ridge and take notes. It may save your life. I was waiting to see if he could shove his foot further into his mouth but he was spared by a commercial break. I was waiting for him mess up the pronunciation of "Semper Fi." Rather than stomping all over the honor and traditions of the Marines, they could have simply wished them a Happy Birthday, and thanked the brave young men who risked their lives for others in the hotel fire. (Though Marines take higher risks every day around the world.) Sadly, I am left questioning if the weather guy really does have a Marine for a father or if he was just making it up. Perhaps he's jealous? I do not have to make it up. My father IS a Marine. Marines volunteer to kill or die so you can speak freely. Don't waste that right by stepping on their traditions. They don't like that. Even if you are the weatherguy.