Going Beyond Duty

Honor, Courage and Commitment.  These are words we often bandy about and take for granted.  We never seem to take the time to realize their significance and meaning.  Some of us know it, some of us sense it, some even rely on it but for some of us, for a very select few – we live it.  Day in and day out, these select few put into practice the principles by which our very nature is founded.  They do the things we do not have the courage to do or to even dare think about so that we may have the freedom to pursue our endeavors and to go about our daily lives in a sense of relative ease and comfort.  They are known as the proud, the doers and the makers.  Simply put, they are marines.

I had the honor this past May to take part in some of the most moving ceremonies I will ever experience in my lifetime.  My nephew Justin had just finished boot camp and we traveled to Parris Island to be with him at his graduation.  What a sight, it was like being in a city within a city.  We were obviously in one of the safest places on the planet surrounded by defenders and people of faith. 

We arrived in the morning and got our first glimpse of these men as we saw them and our nephew going by on their “motivational run”.  He looked tall, he looked humble, he looked reverent, he looked like a marine. 

Later, the families gathered in the practice hall anxiously awaiting the arrival of their loved one.  A long silence, then the bay doors opened and in they marched.  It was at that moment I realized what they had gone through, months of sacrifice and trial to arrive at this time and place – my heart raced and I shed my first tear.   This was a rite carried on for over 200 years, history being made in front of our eyes for a select few to witness.  I felt honored to be allowed to be such a small part of this ceremony.  I will never forget it.

As they were released, the families all raced down to greet them.  It made my heart full.  I got up and close to our nephew for the first time.  I hugged him and told him how proud I was and that I loved him very much.  He seemed like a changed person.  He stood true; he seemed to be sure of himself, he spoke with respect.

We talked throughout the day about the phases of his transformation – learning the values of belonging to a group rather than to just yourself, of giving one’s heart to God and in the love for everything that exemplifies duty and love of country.  We learned about the leap of faith to the ultimate test of the ‘crucible’ when he finally relinquished the title of recruit to become known as ‘marine’.  This symbol is a symbol worn by thousands who went before them, passing on the mantle of commitment.

The next morning, we arrived to see the raising of the colors, our flag.  After, a soloist played ‘Amazing Grace’ on his saxophone and I wept yet another tear.  I was never more proud of my country as I was at that precise moment.  Then came graduation.  Again, my heart was full as I saw these young men marching onto the parade grounds, in unison and with a depth of intrepidity as they passed by us.  We listened to the band playing, each one a marine and foremost a soldier.  A wonderful tribute played not only to us but to them.  I began to swallow a little harder as they then stood at attention, clicking their heels together, sounding as one – an echo that would have been heard not only there but all over the world.  Look out, there are marines coming! 

Such is the life these brave young men have led these past months and it was our privilege to let them outshine us all.  For is not for us to reason why, but to just believe.  God has a plan for each one of us, we just need to listen and He will guide us to where we are supposed to be.  The famous theologian Roger Williams once said that ‘the greatest crime in the world is not developing your potential.  When you do what you do best, you are helping not only yourself, but the world.’

By our hearts we are strengthened, by our deeds we are acknowledged, by our faith we are renewed, by our courage we are moved to action and by our love we are true – true to our family, our new family, our marine family.  We are part of a much larger picture in the eyes of Christ.  Always carry that with you, my nephew, and He will never let you down.

Few of us experience a life changing moment.  I received such a blessing that day.  A gift handed down to me from God in the form of some wonderful men and women.  They are known only by their last names because names are not as important as how we speak of them.  If I could become half the man Pvt. J.R. Thomas is now, I would consider myself truly blessed.  My admiration for him and what he has accomplished will never waver with time.  He has gone beyond duty and for this our country will be forever grateful, forever eternal.  Semper Fidelis!  Go devil dawgs, ooh-rah!

May God guide you on your journeys in life, may the wind be at your back and may His peace be with you, always.  God bless and God speed. Amen.