Content area
Full Text
This article is taken from a speech the author delivered at the Marine Corps Birthday Ball in Newport, R1, 10 November 1995.
When I was first asked to be your speaker tonight, I wondered what I ought to talk about. It occurred to me that even though the Navy and Marine Corps are called "sister services," we're actually a lot more like brothers. Now, some of you may not know what it's like to have brothers. I come from a big family with five sibling rivals. I had two brothers-one a year older, and one a year younger-and I've got the scars to prove it. But even though we used to spend lots of energy bearing the tar out of each other, we always stood together against the kids up the block, or any other outsider. That sounds pretty much like the relationship between the Navy and Marines.
So, as one brother to another, on this special birthday occasion, I though it might be useful to expound on "why I like Marines."
As I thought about those reasons tonight, an incident came to mind that occurred almost 4 years ago, right after I'd been selected for rear admiral, but before 1 put on my new rank. I had to go to the FBI Academy to hear a lecture. As all Marines know, the FBI Academy is located at Quantico. I was running late, and was worried about getting there on rime. I finally got to the Quantico turnoff, but as I passed the rifle range, I got stuck behind another car. He poked along at 25 miles an hour, even when the speed limit changed to 35. So I pulled out and passed as soon as we had a dashed line. Well, as soon as I pulled back in, this guy went nuts! He immediately hit me with brights, honked his hom, and started tailgating me all the way through the gate at the FBI Academy. As soon as I parked his car whipped in next to me, and a very agitated Marine major jumped out, introduced himself, and then got right up in my face and started chewing me out for speeding. I tried to point out that I had obeyed the posted...