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Terminal Lance: Dueling Knife Hands

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I rocked this past Christmas! Yup, got the perfect gifts for my Marines, “Terminal Lance” a comic for Marines, written by a United States Marine. It just so happened my Lance Corporal son opened his Knifehand comic before his brother, the Corporal. What ensued was quite the scene.

United States Marine opens Christmas gift
“This is Awesome”

As David opened his present a smirk came across his face. He immediately covered the title and began to tease and taunt his older Marine brother. “You won’t guess what I got, and you can’t have it! It’s awesome!” (said with great possessiveness and gloating)

Marine with Terminal Lance Knifehands

“You don’t get one. You’re no longer a Lance, so you’re no longer part of the underground” The taunting continues, remember these are men (did I just say that of my sons??) and they are quibbling like six year olds.

After about 30 minutes the Marine Corporal got to his copy of “Knife Hands, Terminal Lance” under the tree.

Marines square off with Knife-Hands
Marines square off with Knife-Hands

You can pretty much get the gist of the conversation just by the expression on his face. “I do so rank! I have my own copy of Terminal Lance, so there! HA!”

Terminal Lance is a mature comic written by Lance Corporal Maximilian Uriarte, USMC to poke fun at the various absurdities in the Marine Corps. Both my sons love this comic and my youngest had me send his the weekly editions during boot camp.

Terminal Lance
Terminal Lance (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Each comic is accompanied by an essay that explains the back story. If you’re a Marine Mom I caution, before you head to the Terminal Lance site, you may not want to read the essays. They may render you blind. But it’s Marine, adult, male humor, and not meant for Mom’s. I made this mistake last summer as I read one particular essay and immediately had a visual image of my youngest son I did NOT want in my brain.

I do read the website, and the Facebook page, because, in a way it’s how I understand my boys. I learn a little of the lingo, a little Marine culture, and thus feel as though I share a part of their lives.

MCRD San Diego at graduation and I’ve watched many YouTube videos with several drill instructors getting in a boot’s face with several knife-hands.

Terminal Lance Sample Comics

Related Marine Corps Articles

Don’t forget to visit my CafePress Marine and Military store if you are looking for custom Marine Corps gifts. Just click on the image below and it will take you right there.

Purchase United States Marine and Military branded gifts for your son, daughter or family member in the Marine Corps at my 3QuarterToday CafePress Store.

Season Of Christmas Continues, Day 3

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This is the first year my youngest Marine son won’t be home for Christmas.

He’s  a U.S. Marine stationed in California, pulling 24-hour shifts so he can come home on the second block leave.

Christmas tree for my MarineA week before Christmas he called on the phone and reminded me that he wanted LOTS of food when he got home, especially my cookies, pretzels, and venison jerky. Little did he know a care package was on its way with everything included on his list.

Along with all his favorite treats was this tree, don’t know if he put it up (I hope so), but I wanted to send a piece of home his way. (His older brother, stationed in Arizona, also got a care package)

But it is my youngest Marine who got the special treatment this year. He is a corrections officer in the Brigand received the box during his 24 hr “sleep break”. He called and opened the box on the phone with me, which I love.

I got to hear the excitement in his voice as he pulled out the Chocolate Covered Candy Cane Christmas Peeps, Reeses Candy Canes, and deer jerky from the stocking. When he opened the cookie tin, he exclaimed: “Oh my God, this smells soooo good!!” Thank you, thank you!

I always send a Santa hat, to be worn when they open their presents and add a little frivolity and holiday spirit.

Does a Mom good to hear appreciation from her sons. Makes me want to send another box really soon. But, I don’t have to.

He’s coming home tomorrow night for a 10 day leave!

“Brother, My Brother”, a Tribute to Veterans

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On Veterans Monday I had the opportunity to merge two of my passions, my pride for my sons in the Marine Corp and my love of music, specifically the Elmwood-Murdock choir and band. Just wanted to share a preview of the the choirs song, “Brother My Brother” before I put together the full post, which will recap both schools and the local G.A.R museum.

It’s obvious this song was written with the American Civil War in mind, but I couldn’t find any other history. If anyone can point me in the direction I’d love to add it to the post.

Lyrics “Brother, My Brother”

Brother my brother
One blue and one gray
Will meet upon a quiet field
The morn of judgement day

Brother my brother
God has heard your battle call
Now he’ll watch his precious children
Learn how to stand, learn how to fall
And his eyes will look away

For his heart will so be torn
As his fields of gold turn scarlet
From the rage of battle born
And the silence of the night
Will be broken by the cries
Of the ones who’ve been forgotten
On the quiet field where honor lies

Give me now a splendid sun
With all his light full clear
Give me now a gentle autumn
Before the dying of the year
And some green unbloodied grass
While I can still see far
Give me one night on a river
And one unfailing star

Brother my brother
One blue and one gray
Will meet upon a quiet field
The morn of judgement day

Brother my brother
God has heard your battle call
Now he’ll watch his precious children
Learn how to stand, learn how to fall

My favorite Veterans Day piece the choir sang, by far, is the one a did a few years back of the choir singing Flanders Field. Take a look you won’t regret it!

Remembering Veterans Day

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It is time to pay respect and honor to our county’s military veterans. Yesterday was the Marine Corps birthday and today is officially Veterans Day.

I have three sons who are veterans, although one is still an active duty Marine. They learned to always have your buddy’s back. Never leave someone behind and respect authority. You can question, but you still must carry out your duty and responsibility.

Honoring our veterans

My Dad served on a destroyer in WWII and was also a Korean wartime veteran. I never heard of his experiences. Never knew what he did, never knew what it meant until I found his military records. Back then the term was shell shocked.

WWII Naval Veteran who served on two destroyers

Now we know this as PTSD. Post-traumatic stress syndrome. I don’t know if he had nightmares, but I know he “checked out” in many ways. He got silent, would shut down during stressful times.

Since then I have gotten to know many veterans and seen some “hit the ground” when a metal folding chair falls to the floor at a school function. Serving in wartime affects you the rest of your life. It shapes you in more ways than you can count.

May we never forget to honor those veterans who have served in all branches of our military: The Army, Navy, Air Force, and the United States Marines.

Don’t just remember our veterans on the national holidays like Memorial Day or Veterans Day, but remember and thank them every day.  

Next time you hear of conflict in another country, every time you see an American flag, and every time you hear on the news that another soldier died, remember the veterans.

Remember they defend our freedom of speech, our way of life, and liberty of the United States of America.

Remember them every day, not just on Veterans Day

In addition to my three sons, currently in the Marine Corps, this day and weekend I also remember my “Daddy”.

I wish I had asked more questions, I wish I had listened when you started to tell me the stories, but alas I was a child and only thought of childish things.

I wish I had more time with you, and I wish you had lived to see your grandchildren grow up.  You would be proud of them. I miss you now more than ever. I finally learned your military history and wish you were here to tell me more.

Private Leo Tyrrell, 82nd Airborne
Private Leo Tyrrell, 82nd Airborne (1952?)

Happy Birthday US Marine Corps

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To all United Marines Marines, past, present and future, have a very Happy Birthday

We owe you a debt for our freedom that can never be repaid, so we remember you on this day and always. So to all the Marines from 1775 to the present day, we thank you for your service to our country.

Happy Birthday Marine Corps, the official birthday of the USMC is November 10, 1775

How Marines Celebrate Their Birthday

Every active duty Marine recognizes the USMC birthday in some way, most have a Marine Corps Ball they attend near the end of October or the beginning of November.

Every Marine Corps base is recognized on November 10th with special guests, cakes and it is a tradition for each Marine to greet each other on this day with a Happy Birthday. No gift is required, just the gift of respect. (according to Maximilian Uriarte at Terminal Lance)

Veterans will have a drink, in where else, a bar or tavern since Tun Tavern is the birthplace of the Corps. I know my oldest son will be raising a glass to toast his Marine brothers somewhere tonight.

Many in the Marine Corps League will gather in bars all over the country and relive the camaraderie that makes the United States Marine Corps unique.

Many of them display an American flag at home along with their USMC EGA.

Marine Corps Birthday Challenge Coins

Challenge coins are a tradition in the Marine Corps. Often senior officers have a certain number of coins to award during a Marine Ball and they will press it into the palm of the hand. I know one of my sons has received a coin in this manner

Challenge coins recognize boot camp companies, tours of duty, and even Marine Moms. Below are just a few Marine Corps challenge coins

Since I am a Marine Mother I have begun an annual tradition of writing an official letter to the Marine Corps. I don’t think anyone of any importance reads them, but it’s my way of summarizing the year and my current sentiment.

A letter from a Marine Mom to the USMC. This Mother of two Marines writes a letter to the Marine Corps as a way of gratitude for her Marine sons.
A Marine Mom writes letters to the United States Marine Corps on the eve of the Marine Corps Birthday to thank them for what they do and tell the story of her sons.
2015 Marine Mom Letter to the USMC Commandant on the 240th birthday of the Marine Corps
2016 Marine Mom letter on the USMC Birthd

To all Marines have a very Happy Birthday!!

 USMC Birthday Traditions & Celebrations

Learn more about the Marine Corps, Marine Corps traditions and history in these military books. History does repeat itself and the United States Marines will always serve at the ready to protect our country and our world.