Hello Sgt. Grit,
I just wanted to share a story with you about the most amazing Marine I have ever had the privelige of knowing: My dad.
I receive your newsletters, and I always enjoy reading about the Marine stories. I love buying things from your shop for my dad, as he spent so much of his life devoted to the Marine Corps. It just so happens that today, I read something on your newsletter, and I forwarded it to him. It was just something small about being proud of being a Marine.
His response was was humbling: "My Dearest Amber, What it means to me, and what it has meant to me, to be a United States Marine: I guess it all started when I was born, 11 November, 1950. As an infant I didn't know of that day. "Veterans Day." Now, it's not my birthday, it's more than that. Did I know at birth that I was destined to become one of the Few and Proud? No. But like others, as I grew older so did that desire. As a young boy I was never any good in school. Every day I was ridiculed, harassed, and humiliated. When I enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1968, they changed all that. The Marine Corps picked me up by the bootstraps. I can't tell you how much that changed my life. I was somebody…the little kid who was told he wouldn't amount to anything was now an important member of a GREAT team. I will never forget the three men who started my career as a U.S. Marine. Through my 29+ years and all the Marines…all the tours of duty, they were way more than I could have imagined. I carried the three Marine DI's with me my entire tour. I had adopted their thoughts. When I was a DI at both Parris Island and San Diego, I relived the three men in my heart and soul. While I was a DI at Parris Island I was put up for Meritorious Gunny. Well, because I didn't have a high school education I was never promoted. The General who did that I knew very well. I guess I could have gotten bitter with that decision, but I put my head down and went to work, hearing the three DI's yelling at me saying "YOU CAN DO IT FOLEY!" And low and behold, I did make it to Gunny (The best rank I think I had.)
By that time the Marine Corps had taken over my entire body. If they would have cut me, I know my blood would have been little Eagles, Globes, and Anchors.
After 25 years as a Marine I was TRUE BLUE. I was molded, transformed, and a living, breathing WARRIOR. While teaching at the Staff Academy at El Toro, I thought I had no chance of making MGYSGT. I was pressing my uniform in my office one morning when a SGTMAJ from Quantico called me, asking to speak to MGYSGT Foley. I said "No, MSGT Foley." The SGTMAJ said that as of the day prior I was infact selected for MGYSGT. Years later I was told that there were 200 MSGT's eligable for MGYSGT. I was one of three promoted.
It was then that it all came together for me as a U.S. Marine. It was then that my birth came into play, as I was born to be a United States Marine. It was everthing, it was everything to me. Even today folks ask me if I own any other clothing other than my USMC apparel. All my uniforms are just like they would be on active duty. Yes, they are screaming for the chance, as I am screaming for the chance, just like any other former Marine is screaming for the chance….to put them back on."
When my dad retired from the Marine Corps, I know it was one of the hardest days in his life. He went on to teach MCJROTC at my high school. My brother and I both were his cadets. I have always been extremely proud to be a Marine's daughter. But after reading that today, I know that he is the most amazing Marine I will probably ever get the chance to meet.
And to this day, before I go to bed at night, I thank Chesty, wherever he is.
Semper Fi
Amber Foley
PROUD DAUGHTER of MGYSGT James Foley, USMC Ret.