Being a US Marine myself, I can sympothize with the families of those young men and women that may need to fight and possibly lose their lives. On the other hand, something must be done. Freedom is not free, and we all knew when we joined we may indeed someday have to pay the ultimate sacrifice. We protect the stars and stripes against ALL enemies, foreign AND domestic. If this ever happens to your loved ones and if they should perish, just know that they died the way they would have wanted to...the only way that dying is 'ok' to us...and that is for their country. I couldn't think of a better way to die than for the red white and blue. (before I was de-civilianized, I was scared of war and death...after learning how to defend myself and knowing that I have over 175,000 brothers that will risk their lives for me, as I would do for them, the fear leaves) To quote R. Lee Ermey in FMJ: "You are part of a brotherhood. From now on, until the day you die, wherever you are, every Marine is your brother. Always remember this: Marines die, that's what we're here for. But the Marine Corps lives forever, and that means YOU live forever!"
Knowing that EVERY Marine, no matter of age, race or gender feels the same way I do, I can't say it enough...IT IS AN HONOR AND A PRIVELAGE TO DIE DEFENDING THE USA!!! It is much better to go on the battlefield than to die in my sleep some 50 years from now. (Not to mention I'd have better stories to tell in the after life)
Remember these 2 things we Marines live by: Marines don't die...we go to hell and regroup! Also, heaven won't take us and hell is afraid we'll take over! THIS IS FOR A REASON! We are crazy individuals that thrive in these types of situations. We go first, we kick ass, take names and ask questions later.
I hope you all go to this link below and take a second to reflect on it...it will move you, possibly to tears. If you don't tear up and get a big bulge in your chest (called pride) then there is something SERIOUSLY wrong with you!
http://home.mchsi.com/%7Egcfl/attack.swf