MARINES: We salute you

I wondered how long it would be before I simply HAD to write a letter to the editor. We’ve been here about a month, having relocated from a state and city where the politics simply drove us out. Monday’s headline inspired me.

It is so wonderful to have found Coeur d’Alene and the story on the front page Monday said it all, “Young Marines set sights on trip of a lifetime,” as members of the North Idaho Young Marines leave for Pearl Harbor.

Where we came from you’d never see an article, nor a program like this. I knew we were in the right city when we noted that the Marines led off the parade the other night!

As a former Marine, I’d like to share my delight in seeing this program for the up and coming young Marines and members of our military. These are the young people who will be our leaders in the years to come. You never hear about such great programs and the wonderful young people that America still produces in spite of the reporting by most of the mass media in this country.

It doesn’t seem like these young folks need much direction; they’re on a great path now! For me, my decision to enter the Marines before college was a decision that has stayed with me and benefited me my entire life. I truly believe I got more out of my education by having served first. “Once a Marine, always a Marine” is more than just a saying. It’s a brotherhood that stays with you throughout your life.

My wife and I wish these young folks well on their trip to Pearl Harbor, I was there on my way to Okinawa in 1963. It’s a place they’ll never forget and a place much of today’s youth sadly doesn’t even know exists, education or no education.

I’d also like to say that another wonderful aspect of our short time here in Coeur d’Alene was a gathering of fellow veterans from all services as the BLM and our local cruise services provided us with a great trip out on the lake to observe the eagles. It was a real pleasure to be around those veterans from all branches of our military, and like I indicated above…there’s something about serving this great country that really allows you to appreciate the fact that America is the greatest experiment in human self-governance and freedom in the history of man.

And finally, it’s truly a pleasure to have found this beautiful city where the newspaper would print such an uplifting, patriotic story and where such great people live. Best wishes to these great young folks!

Semper Fidelis Marines…

MICHAEL QUINN

Coeur d’Alene