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WHY I CHOSE THE MARINES
'Courage to face every battlefield, in uniform and in life'
Lehigh Acres, FL
I was born in Pennsylvania, but "home" moved with my father's military career. We packed up often, living where the..
262 views
WHY I CHOSE THE MARINES
To meet the challenge
Nisswa, MN
I joined the Marines. Prior to joining, I was warned by multiple sources who I respected that Marine Corps boot..
323 views
WHY I CHOSE THE MARINES
'More than I bargained for, in the best way possible'
Vista, CA
You join the Marines because you want to be the best. I did. But I got more than I bargained..
297 views
WHY I CHOSE THE MARINES
'I met and exceeded every challenge'
San Antonio, TX
It was the summer of 1990, and I was in a field chopping cotton in Jones, La. I was a..
471 views
WHY I CHOSE THE MARINES
'Inspired me in a way nothing else ever had'
Auburn, WA
Two years after high school, I felt utterly lost in life. I’d tried college for a year but kept falling..
460 views
WHY I CHOSE THE MARINES
'Every battle and lesson learned was a parable'
Kaneohe, HI
I knew in my heart from early in my childhood that I’d serve in the military one day. My dad..
318 views
WHY I CHOSE THE MARINES
'The day I decided I would someday be a Marine'
Kewaskum, WI
In spring of 1964, when I was a senior in Campbellsport High School, four recruiters came to talk to us..
347 views
WHY I CHOSE THE MARINES
Seven sons in the Marines
York, PA
Michael Brady of McSherrystown, Pa., was a Navy veteran of World War II. But seven of his 12 children with..
371 views
WHY I CHOSE THE MARINES
A deep respect for the Marine Corps
Fort Worth, TX
Prior to the start of World War II, my father joined the 192nd Tank Battalion in Maywood, Ill. The unit..
307 views
WHY I CHOSE THE MARINES
'Ready for anything'
Ewa Beach, HI
I knew about military service from my parents, but I didn’t have an idea of what it was to be..
542 views
WHY I CHOSE THE MARINES
'For me, it was a calling!'
Wyandotte, MI
Never a doubt! Since grade school I knew it. For me, it was a calling! In 1970, I was in third..
421 views
WHY I CHOSE THE MARINES
'Not a dry eye in the room'
Santa Fe, NM
I grew up knowing about the Marine Corps. My father was a member of the 5th Regiment in France during..
564 views
WHY I CHOSE THE MARINES
'Among the proudest achievements of my life'
Sydney, Australia
Although my father, stepfather, and brother all served in different branches, it was my older brother, Joe Ramos, who really..
392 views
WHY I CHOSE THE MARINES
'They took great care of each other'
Chariton, VA
Sunday afternoons were always special to me as a boy growing up in the late '50s and early '60s. My..
543 views
WHY I CHOSE THE MARINES
'A book led me to the Marines'
Pittsburgh, PA
A significant number of family members served in the armed forces. During World War I, my father's uncle was gassed..
339 views
WHY I CHOSE THE MARINES
Determined to be one of 'the few, the proud, the Marines'
Madison, CT
I am a soon-to-be 84-year-old former Marine. When I was a boy, my uncle, Pvt. Benjamin Amarone, was killed in..
509 views
WHY I CHOSE THE MARINES
Happily ever after
Kenwood, CA
I graduated from high school in 1968. A year later, I was going to enlist in the Navy for six..
424 views
WHY I CHOSE THE MARINES
'Why are you taking the easy way out?'
White Haven, PA
During my senior year in high school in 1977, I was on the verge of enlisting in the Army --..
575 views
WHY I CHOSE THE MARINES
'A Marine until I die'
North Mankato, MN
My high school did not invite the Marine recruiter to Career Day, so I called and set up an appointment...
381 views
WHY I CHOSE THE MARINES
A long history of service
Redondo Beach, CA
I grew up outside of Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. Lots of my high school classmates were children of Marines...
571 views
