Another 10 November just went by

Clovis Man · 11-15-2012, 07:50 PM

Here's how I spent November 10th this year -- wasn't really what I had hoped for, but it wasn't a total loss.

See, November tenth is the Marine Corps' Birthday -- and if I can find another Marine on that day, I try to give them a cigar to enjoy.

Anyway, here's something I sent in to a Marine Corps group --
Well -- another 10 November has come and gone. This one wasn't one of my favorites, until the end anyway.

I started the day with a two mile walk down the main drag of Clovis, New Mexico. Since it was the Marine Corps' Birthday, I decided to add a mile, for a total of three -- and I wore a Marine utility cover, just for old times' sake.

Living in an Air Force town, you see a few Marines here and there, mostly retirees. They all seem to have a big USMC license plate on the front of their car. Always before, I have seen at least ONE, but not this time. Nope, zilch, nada. No Marines during my walk. That wasn't what I had hoped.

Back at home, time to get ready for the day. S, S, & S. Yep, you know.

For the rest of the day, I looked everywhere, but came up empty. I couldn't even attend the Marine Corps Birthday celebration that night at the local VFW, due to an earlier commitment in Roswell. Gee, I was really disappointed.

That night my wife (another Marine, at least!) and I met our youngest son (born on November 10!!!) for dinner. We had ordered and were waiting, when a man wearing a MARINES ball cap walked in. FINALLY! Another Marine!

He never did notice me trying to get his attention, so I watched where he sat, and then went out to the car and got a cigar to give him for a Marine Corps Birthday gift. I walked over there, and interrupted his ordering, and told him I had looked all day, and he was the first INKLING I had seen of Marines. Gave him the cigar, and wished him a Happy Birthday.

He cried.

After a minute, we spoke. He seemed to be a little confused as to the date, thinking "it" was tomorrow -- the eleventh. Seems he was a Viet Nam vet, and I suppose he got treated like crap by our country back then.

Since he was confused over the date, I'm not even sure he was a Marine, but I'm not sure I mind too much -- at least I got to brighten somebody's day, and perhaps take some of the pain away.

bvilchez · 11-15-2012, 09:25 PM

Semper fidelis teufel hunden

Clovis Man · 11-15-2012, 10:53 PM

Semper Fi and Happy Birthday, sir.

BTW -- Futenma? Butler? NTA? Where are you?

bvilchez · 11-16-2012, 12:22 AM

Hansen this go around.

Remo · 11-16-2012, 02:00 AM

Very nice!!

iaMkcK · 11-16-2012, 03:42 AM

Well, I'm glad you got to keep your tradition alive. I went out to Vegas for the Marine Corps Ball there because several of my buddies were going. It wasn't too expensive. Rather fun as well, I just wish I drove [Wanted to hit Casa Fuente!!]

Great read. :-)

11-15-2012, 07:50 PM	#1
Clovis Man Just in from the Storm Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 3 Trading: (0)	Another 10 November just went by Here's how I spent November 10th this year -- wasn't really what I had hoped for, but it wasn't a total loss. See, November tenth is the Marine Corps' Birthday -- and if I can find another Marine on that day, I try to give them a cigar to enjoy. Anyway, here's something I sent in to a Marine Corps group -- Well -- another 10 November has come and gone. This one wasn't one of my favorites, until the end anyway. I started the day with a two mile walk down the main drag of Clovis, New Mexico. Since it was the Marine Corps' Birthday, I decided to add a mile, for a total of three -- and I wore a Marine utility cover, just for old times' sake. Living in an Air Force town, you see a few Marines here and there, mostly retirees. They all seem to have a big USMC license plate on the front of their car. Always before, I have seen at least ONE, but not this time. Nope, zilch, nada. No Marines during my walk. That wasn't what I had hoped. Back at home, time to get ready for the day. S, S, & S. Yep, you know. For the rest of the day, I looked everywhere, but came up empty. I couldn't even attend the Marine Corps Birthday celebration that night at the local VFW, due to an earlier commitment in Roswell. Gee, I was really disappointed. That night my wife (another Marine, at least!) and I met our youngest son (born on November 10!!!) for dinner. We had ordered and were waiting, when a man wearing a MARINES ball cap walked in. FINALLY! Another Marine! He never did notice me trying to get his attention, so I watched where he sat, and then went out to the car and got a cigar to give him for a Marine Corps Birthday gift. I walked over there, and interrupted his ordering, and told him I had looked all day, and he was the first INKLING I had seen of Marines. Gave him the cigar, and wished him a Happy Birthday. He cried. After a minute, we spoke. He seemed to be a little confused as to the date, thinking "it" was tomorrow -- the eleventh. Seems he was a Viet Nam vet, and I suppose he got treated like crap by our country back then. Since he was confused over the date, I'm not even sure he was a Marine, but I'm not sure I mind too much -- at least I got to brighten somebody's day, and perhaps take some of the pain away.

11-15-2012, 09:25 PM	#2
bvilchez En búsqueda..... Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Bolivar aka Jay Location: Back in SoCal Posts: 3,202 Trading: (76)	Re: Another 10 November just went by Semper fidelis teufel hunden

11-15-2012, 10:53 PM	#3
Clovis Man Just in from the Storm Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 3 Trading: (0)	Re: Another 10 November just went by Semper Fi and Happy Birthday, sir. BTW -- Futenma? Butler? NTA? Where are you?

11-16-2012, 12:22 AM	#4
bvilchez En búsqueda..... Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Bolivar aka Jay Location: Back in SoCal Posts: 3,202 Trading: (76)	Re: Another 10 November just went by Hansen this go around.

11-16-2012, 02:00 AM	#5
Remo C.I.A Join Date: Feb 2011 First Name: Mike Location: Palm Harbor, Florida Posts: 12,597 Trading: (122)	Re: Another 10 November just went by Very nice!! __________________

11-16-2012, 03:42 AM	#6
iaMkcK Feeling at Home Join Date: Oct 2012 First Name: Jarrett Location: SoCal Posts: 570 Trading: (8)	Re: Another 10 November just went by Well, I'm glad you got to keep your tradition alive. I went out to Vegas for the Marine Corps Ball there because several of my buddies were going. It wasn't too expensive. Rather fun as well, I just wish I drove [Wanted to hit Casa Fuente!!] Great read. :-)