Updatetastic
OK folks, here we are; I'm at the base library currently, as I can't seem to get an appointment with COX cable yet. Ah, the joys of trans-oceanic moves...
I've been in Cali for about 2 weeks now, and though I'd like to say I'm getting the hang of things, its simply not true. I don't have a car yet, which is an abject necessity for this base / state. Looking into a '04 Honda currently, but we'll see how things go.
I was happy to celebrate the 233rd Birthday of the United States Marine Corps on Friday evening. The actual birthday is Nov. 10, but we celebrated early this year. The ceremony was held at the Disney Hotel at DISNEYLAND, the Happiest and Most Expensive place on Earth! Seriously, a cocktail was 8 bucks at this place. EIGHT BUCKS! What the hell! With the way Marines drink, you'd of thought we would get a bulk rate.
The event itself was all I could have hoped for. Aside from the overpriced beverages and lackluster meal, the ball was quite different than the two I had experienced on Okinawa. For one, this ball was a Battalion event, instead of the Company balls I've previously attended; the difference in attendance was unimaginable. Also, on Okie, I was used to seeing the dance floor packed with young male Marines acting absolutely crazy; to be blunt the Okie birthday balls were nearly complete sausage fests. Not so at the Wonderful World of Disney. I haven never before seen so many women at a military event, and it was a welcome change; a party just seems more festive with about 40 girls mixed with 15 guys on the hardwood floor.
This year's ball I really was the stranger in the room. While my fellow Marines have been nothing but warm and accepting, I still don't really know any of them. While there wasn't as much pleasant conversation as I would have liked, a familiar bond was still tangibly there. No matter what else is said about the organization, the Marine Corps fosters an incredible sense of pride and belonging in every one of its members. It is what sets us a part from the other branches, what makes us different. Why else would all the soldiers, airmen, and (sorry Red) sailors get a little bit jealous when we walk by in our Dress Blues? I believe this amazing Esprit de Corps is what enables us to maintain the reputation of the world's premier fighting force. Even for a Corporal brand new to the unit, that feeling was alive and strong in the Disneyland Hotel Ballroom on Friday night, and I thank God every day that I'm able to be a small part of it.
I hope to make a further post tomorrow regarding some overarching Marine Corps Birthday fun, but for now, here's the Commandant's birthday message for 2008:
Hot Damn, I love my job! OOrah!
I've been in Cali for about 2 weeks now, and though I'd like to say I'm getting the hang of things, its simply not true. I don't have a car yet, which is an abject necessity for this base / state. Looking into a '04 Honda currently, but we'll see how things go.
I was happy to celebrate the 233rd Birthday of the United States Marine Corps on Friday evening. The actual birthday is Nov. 10, but we celebrated early this year. The ceremony was held at the Disney Hotel at DISNEYLAND, the Happiest and Most Expensive place on Earth! Seriously, a cocktail was 8 bucks at this place. EIGHT BUCKS! What the hell! With the way Marines drink, you'd of thought we would get a bulk rate.
The event itself was all I could have hoped for. Aside from the overpriced beverages and lackluster meal, the ball was quite different than the two I had experienced on Okinawa. For one, this ball was a Battalion event, instead of the Company balls I've previously attended; the difference in attendance was unimaginable. Also, on Okie, I was used to seeing the dance floor packed with young male Marines acting absolutely crazy; to be blunt the Okie birthday balls were nearly complete sausage fests. Not so at the Wonderful World of Disney. I haven never before seen so many women at a military event, and it was a welcome change; a party just seems more festive with about 40 girls mixed with 15 guys on the hardwood floor.
This year's ball I really was the stranger in the room. While my fellow Marines have been nothing but warm and accepting, I still don't really know any of them. While there wasn't as much pleasant conversation as I would have liked, a familiar bond was still tangibly there. No matter what else is said about the organization, the Marine Corps fosters an incredible sense of pride and belonging in every one of its members. It is what sets us a part from the other branches, what makes us different. Why else would all the soldiers, airmen, and (sorry Red) sailors get a little bit jealous when we walk by in our Dress Blues? I believe this amazing Esprit de Corps is what enables us to maintain the reputation of the world's premier fighting force. Even for a Corporal brand new to the unit, that feeling was alive and strong in the Disneyland Hotel Ballroom on Friday night, and I thank God every day that I'm able to be a small part of it.
I hope to make a further post tomorrow regarding some overarching Marine Corps Birthday fun, but for now, here's the Commandant's birthday message for 2008:
Click to viewHot Damn, I love my job! OOrah!