Re: USMC......retired?
[Re: USMC47 🦫]
#6545061
05/27/19 05:17 PM
05/27/19 05:17 PM
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 585 pa.
jarentz
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trapper
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 585
pa.
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Congrats and thank you sir!
jarentz
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Re: USMC......retired?
[Re: USMC47 🦫]
#6545065
05/27/19 05:28 PM
05/27/19 05:28 PM
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 275 Smithsburg, MD
J.C.
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trapper
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 275
Smithsburg, MD
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Bunch of good people on here, figured I’d share.
Though I don’t actually retire until 1 September, I had my retirement ceremony on Thursday the 23rd. I turned it over to the next Marine and it feels good so far. After 25 years I’m a little freaked out if the next Marine is doing my job right and if my 170 Marines are being treated right. I know the answer is yes but I still worry. Anyway, the ceremony was fantastic - exactly how I thought it would be. That makes me happy. I was worried it wouldn’t match up. I really didn’t give a traditional speech...I think all to often people get stuck in talking about themselves and their accomplishments. I really wanted it to be one last thank you tour. I got to thank everyone - one last praise in public. I even mentioned my mother in law. Lol. Said I couldn’t wait to have the covers stolen by my wife again each night...my way of saying I’m missing my wife. Lots of deployments over the last 15 years.
Dean Brody has a song called “Brothers.” It’s a must listen for all. We played it during my flag ceremony. There’s a line in there that says “sometimes freedom makes it hard to live....it takes things from you that you don’t want to give.” While that’s somewhat true, I’ve never had a moment where I felt like I had been shorted. I feel like the last 25 years was a blessing. A few bumps and bruises along the way in and out of combat and lost some friends. I still call the families each Memorial Day...it’s that sad day today.
But, now I’m just rambling. I’m headed to Montana in a week. I wanted to finish my thank you tour by saying thank you to all of you. Many of you are close friends. Others I’ve never met before but would call you friend in a heartbeat. One thing most all of you have in common is that you’re patriots. You’re great Americans. Thank you. Friend, I strongly suggest that you be wary of transition, especially given your passion for service. For many it has been rough. Get help, even if you think you don't need it. Go to the Vet Center locally and begin to talk to them. There are things in there that you won't even know. Keep your family first, not your job, not making money, not the Corps THEM. Hold them and make sure you have a lock tight support system that will be there when transition gets tough. Don't be afraid to ask for help. You haven't been a civilian in 25 years and as capable as you are this is brand new to you. It takes a truly strong warrior to request the help, do it before it falls apart. Take it from someone who learned the hard way.
To a person ignorant of nature, his country stroll is a walk through a gallery filled with wonderful works of art with their faces turned to the wall
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Re: USMC......retired?
[Re: USMC47 🦫]
#6545081
05/27/19 05:50 PM
05/27/19 05:50 PM
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Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 10,308 MT
snowy
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 10,308
MT
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Thanks! Go after your passion and never look back. Retirement isn't the end BUT the beginning. Good Luck Brother.
Give me a fish, I will eat for a day. Teach me to fish, I will eat for a lifetime
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Re: USMC......retired?
[Re: USMC47 🦫]
#6545197
05/27/19 08:34 PM
05/27/19 08:34 PM
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 7,254 western mn
bucksnbears
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trapper
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 7,254
western mn
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Congrats John!.
Been reading your rambelings for a few years. You seem like a straight up fella.
Now point your Prius north and get the heck outta Demacratifornia.
Bear camp is open to you iffn you have the urge.
swampgas chili and schmidt beer makes for a deadly combo
You have to remember that 1 out of 3 Democratic Voters is just as dumb as the other two.
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Re: USMC......retired?
[Re: USMC47 🦫]
#6545210
05/27/19 09:01 PM
05/27/19 09:01 PM
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 793 Central montana
.204
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 793
Central montana
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Congrats! See ya in them thar hills!
And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgement!
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Re: USMC......retired?
[Re: USMC47 🦫]
#6545214
05/27/19 09:05 PM
05/27/19 09:05 PM
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Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 4,100 Bonner County, Idaho
Wild_Idaho
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 4,100
Bonner County, Idaho
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Thank you for all your service and dedication to our country. That makes me all warm and fuzzy inside. Assuming us jarheads have feelings to begin with. Ooh-Rah sir!
Real name Eric The sharpest hammer in the box of crayons.
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