Help, Correct description for USMC members

[Holden McThynge]

I need some help...There's a raging argument taking place on a newsgroup
concerning General Anthony C. Zinni USMC Ret. A journalist referred to
general Zinni as a *former* Marine. Some squids and even Army infantry
types insist that anyone who has been in the USMC and gotten a general
discharge or better, is first, last, and always a Marine, and there is no
*former* involved. Others, claim that *former* is quite acceptable.
Things like this bother my ear. Earlier this year I read an article in
which a journalist referred to Sen. John Kerry as *a former Viet Nam War
veteran*.

Thanks.

[Colonel Flagg]

In article <bnbion$bmo$04$1...@news.t-online.com>,
holden_...@hotmail.com says...

Retired Marine, Retired General, Retired Sgt., "retired" being key.

If you're a "former" Vietnam Vet, does that mean you're no longer a
Vietnam Vet?

I am a former Vet. I am not retired, I left the Navy on honorable terms,
yet, I didn't retire.

I am also a Desert Storm Vet, though I don't claim it, because even
though I was *in* during the time of the 'storm, I didn't serve "over
there". Therefore, I don't want to even contemplate taking any of the
credit for the great work done by the *real* vet's that served in the
Gulf Theater. That's contrary to many vets that *claim* to be a "Korean
Vet", a "Vietnam Vet" when they really served at a supply depot in
southern California counting pounds of green beef to be sent to the real
heros in the actual theater.

--
Colonel Flagg
http://www.internetwarzone.org/

Privacy at a click:
http://www.cotse.net

Q: How many Bill Gates does it take to change a lightbulb?
A: None, he just defines Darkness? as the new industry standard..."

"...I see stupid people."

[mail]

I guess it depends if you still believe all the crap they pumped into you
during bootcamp.

[Daryl Hunt]

"mail" <nom...@nomail.net> wrote in message
news:vq2ihqm...@corp.supernews.com...

There comes a time when one has to admit that they can no longer function as
they once did. I do like the idea that a Marine things, "Always a Marine".
But I know that the "Marines" that I have for friends can never operate as a
Marine physically again. Most are Vietnam Vets with some severe
disabilities. But I don't argue with them. I didn't pay the price of
admission.

[WB3FUP (Mike Hall)]

As I was informed by Peter Boyle, G4YNO, "Mike, you ruddy damm Marines are
all the same, you can take the chap out of the Corps, but you can't take
the Corps out of the chap!" We are bound in brotherhood on both sides of
the pond. I now have a 29 year old son, who is my brother.

--
73 es cul

wb3fup
a Salty Bear

"Holden McThynge" <holden_...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:bnbion$bmo$04$1...@news.t-online.com...

[sfclaimrep]

As a former fleet marine force corpsman, the term "former" relates to a
Marine who is no longer serving, either active or reserve. There is no such
thing as an "ex" Marine.

This is the way it was explained to me be a Marine.

"Colonel Flagg" <colone...@NOSOUPFORJ00internetwarzone.org> wrote in
message news:MPG.1a051c315...@news.charter.net...

[Proteus]

"patricktee" <patr...@theyahoo.com> wrote in message
news:ssaltvkefi4jum2h1...@4ax.com...

It is fine to refer to anyone from any of the services that got out with an
honorable discharge as "former" just do not refer to them as "ex" as in
ex-army, ex-air force. The "ex" conotation gives the impression of
dishonor!!!

> >
> >Thanks.
> Semper Fi means always faithful. If you earned the globe and anchor,
> nobody can take it away unless you disgraced it.
>
> "But now is the time for the younger men to lock in rough encounters,
> time for me to yield to the pains of old age. But there was a day I
> shone among the champions."
>
> Homer, The Illiad, 23.715-719 (800 BC). King Nestor of Pylos.
>