United States Marine

Terminal Lance: Dueling Knife Hands

January 21, 2013 by info@3QuartersToday.com

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)

“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.

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.

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

Marines Engage In Reckless Behavior Due To Lack Of Safety Brief (duffelblog.com)
Just don’t call him Mad Dog (utsandiego.com)
Required Reading for Marines

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.

Remembering Veterans Day

November 11, 2012 by info@3QuartersToday.com

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.

Thank You Veterans Plaque
by MilitaryHonor

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.

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.

WWII Memorial Ornament
by MilitaryHonor

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 (1952?)

A Letter From a Marine Mom to the United States Marines

November 9, 2012 by info@3QuartersToday.com

Happy Birthday Marine Corps

November 10th, 2012 is the 237th birthday of the United States Marine Corps. So as a Marine Mom with two sons in the Marines I say “Happy Birthday United States Marine Corp and may you continue to turn out men of character, honor, dedication and bravery.”

CafePress USMC Coin Greeting Cards – 4×5.6 Multi-color Matte CafePress – (Single)Happy Birthday Marine Corps – Greeting Card Glossy Marine Corps 2008 Birthday Coin 1/2 Sheet U.S. Marine Corps Edible Image® Cake Topper

If I could send a letter to the Marine Corps on their birthday this is what I would send.

A Letter From a Marine Mom

“Dear United States Marine Corps,

I give you my sons, knowing they will be Marines for life, as becoming Marines is not a part time endeavor but a pride and family bond that carries through to civilian life. So in essence I am also welcoming the Marine Corps into my family.

I have seen the result of your training, how you have built them up not just physically but mentally, and with a sense of honor and commitment. It is the goal of the Corps to strengthen their character, instill a sense of pride of country and service to others. The training and discipline instilled into these young men and women is beyond any other branch of the military. The sense of pride in being a Marine is evident.

I place my trust in their commanders, sergeants, and their fellow Marines to make wise decisions and to act promptly in times of adversity. May they always take the title US Marine seriously and not disgrace themselves, their company, or their country., always remembering that the person beside them has a Mother at home with a prayer and love in her heart for her Marine.

God please protect them in harms way, watch over them, guide them, and lead now and forever.

With Love,

A Marine Mom”

Every year I try and write a letter to the USMC, below are two of them, I don’t know if anyone in the Marine Corps ever sees them, but it’s nice to know other Marine families do and appreciate the thought. I hope to always speak the truth, relay hope, and express my pride and thankfulness in our military.

Marine Corps marks 237th birthday at Camp Lejeune (myfox8.com)
The Pointy End of the United States Marine Corps (nationalreview.com)
Running 237 miles for fallen Marines: “the least I can do” (dvidshub.net)
Marine Corps Ball, for the kids (mysouthwestga.com)
Required Reading for Marines

Girls Journey From Civilian to Marine: Letter #4

August 15, 2012 by info@3QuartersToday.com

Here is the last letter from Devil Doggery and her journey from civilian to a United States Marine. I really had to laugh at this letter as she sounded just like my youngest son in his last phase at boot camp. EVERYTHING was about food! I’m even going to compare the two letters. Here is an excerpt from her letter. (full one can be read here)

“And, again, I’m going to spend time talking about how I want to stuff my face so badly. You know what sucks though? I was trying to play exactly what I was going to eat as soon as I got home and then I realized… I’m probably flying into San Jose at like, midnight or later. And I could still go get something, but … I want Asian food and that ain’t open that late. Or some In-N-Out… Mmm… But regardless, I’m sure if it’s that late, all I’ll want to do is pass out. And fortunately, I’ll still be able to get tasty snacks and such before then, because we have Liberty Sunday the day after we get back from the Crucible, meaning we get to wander the base and buy actual food, and a bunch of the other recruits said that their families would be willing to adopt me on Family Day (the day before graduation).

Either that or I figured I could mooch some treats off of them and then run off with some of the other orphans and have a bit of free time. Even though I’m a geek, so I find myself wodnering if there’s a bookstore somewhere on this base… LOL. I NEED TO READ THE SECOND BOOK IN THE CHAOS WALKING TRILOGY. Also, I would like to read Divergent. I think I just miss reading. And TV. Oh man, if I could, I would so just buy a pint of ice cream and a pack of cookies, (Chips Ahoy or Nutter Butters), and find a TV and just veg. That’s how I would spend my Liberty Sunday. Because I’m boring, LOL.

I want me some sushi and like, KBBQ and chocolate milkshakes and a burger and a donut from this awesome donut place in downtown Campbell, and banh mi from Lee’s, and Yogurtland, and EVERYTHING. I’m hungry. This needs to stop.“

Below is an excerpt from my son’s letter from last fall before he graduated from US Marine boot camp.

Liberty formation during a Marine Family Day — Marching in very formally with great ceremony

“Find a cheesecake place and pizza. Girl scout Caramel Delights are also on my snack list. Oh, and I’ll want to be stopping a lot to eat. One of the snack items is Eli’s Mama muffins, also cake, like back home, chocolate with vanilla frosting. Don’t forget Tammy’s Orero balls Swedish fish, beef jerky, snickers, and Twix. Anything snacky. Bring my MP3 player with my songs on it, I seriously want to sing to the Carnegie Hall music”

It seems the topic of food is the number one discussion item in the barracks as boot camp gets closer to an end. If you don’t remember my son’s journey here is what he did actually eat on Family Day. It would impress the most serious competitive eater. We all stood in awe.

So in the end it doesn’t matter, male or female, they all crave the comforts of home, which starts with food.

This young women has most likely gone through the Crucible and is now a Marine. Graduation probably right around the corner. I’ll be interested in hearing her feelings now that boot camp is over.

A Girls Journey From Civilian to Marine: Letter #1 (ndjmom.wordpress.com)
A Girls Journey from Civilian to Marine: Letter #2 (ndjmom.wordpress.com)
A Girls Journey from Civilian to Marine: Letter #3 (ndjmom.wordpress.com)

U.S. Marine Upstages Huey Lewis

July 25, 2012 by info@3QuartersToday.com

Being a Mother of two U.S. Marines I’ve gotten to where I can spot a United States Marine in a crowd. Maybe it’s their presence, the way they stand as if at parade rest, but I really think it’s because of the distinctive haircut.

Earlier this month I had the pleasure of seeing Huey Lewis and the News in concert. However, for a time this Marine had all my attention. Reminded me of my Marines.

A Marine upstages Huey Lewis and the News

It’s not uncommon for Marines to act as security at public events, my son David has signed up in California for a few gigs. Although I don’t think he’s gotten any gigs like Huey Lewis yet.

I tried to get this security guards attention from a far, but he wouldn’t be distracted from his task and wouldn’t make eye contact. He just kept scanning the crowd. When he walked to the side I took off for the side rail.

After stopping him I asked “Excuse me, are you a Marine?”

“Why yes Mam I am” and he looked at me quizzically.

“I knew it, my two sons are Marines and I could just tell.”

Turns out he was last active in 1997 (? doesn’t look old enough) and after a little bit of chit chat he gave me a firm handshake and told me to tell my boys “Semper Fi”. I walked away with a smile on my face.

Now I can’t think of Huey Lewis without thinking about my Marines.

Music By Huey Lewis

Greatest Hits Sports (30th Anniversary Edition)

Learn More About Huey Lewis

Huey Lewis and The News to kick off RAGBRAI

The Sioux City RAGBRAI Committee announced Monday that Huey Lewis and The News will headline the concert lineup on Saturday, July 18, in the Tyson Event Center parking lots, the day before the Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa begins …

Collection: Huey Lewis and the News videos

Official video of Huey Lewis and The News’s I Want A New Drug from the album Sports. Buy It Here: http://smarturl.it/3xyujuLike Huey Lewis and The News on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/hueylewisandthenewsFollow Huey Lewis and The News on …

Other songs that have ‘Blurred Lines’

My lawyer! The 1980s rocker Huey Lewis accused Ray Parker Jr. of copying a “Ghostbusters” song riff from the 1984 hit “I Want a New Drug” by his band, Huey Lewis and the News. Reports at the time said they settled and signed a confidentiality agreement.

Drawing the line: Four famous copyright feuds

Not Huey Lewis, apparently. In 1984, the musician brought a court case against ‘Ghostbusters’ singer Ray Parker Jr for allegedly infringing on his song ‘I Want A New Drug.’ The settlement agreement included a confidentiality clause, which Parker later …