A Letter To A Grandson

I have a grandson who is a Marine, and I wrote him the other day ...

Dear Ryan: We are fortunate that, through the years, we have had many reasons to be proud of our clan, but I want you to know that I have never been prouder of anyone, any time, than I am of you right now.

A year ago you made the decision to join the Marines. They don't take just everybody, but you were accepted as a recruit. We followed the four of you from our area as you literally sweated your way through Boot Camp at Parris Island. Not everybody who goes to Parris Island earns the title "Marine", but you and Corey and Juan and Cisco all made it, and it was a great day when your family drove over to see you receive your globe and anchor. It wasn't just the combat training you got; it was also your acceptance of the code of honor, duty, country. And as a Marine, the deep meaning of Semper Fi. You left us as a somewhat laid back and typical teenager, and you came back a disciplined and dedicated man. You had joined the Reserves, fully expecting to be in Iraq by now, and I know you are disappointed that call has not come. It has delayed your college, for you didn't know how to plan. But you joined for the right reasons; you understood your obligation and your pride to serve your country. You did not seek the popular or the expedient; you did what was right.

We are a fairly close family, so I think you know how proud of you we all are. But at this point there are people in America who are anti-military, even anti-American, and they are making a loud noise through the foghorn of a liberal media. America has always had naysayers, but without volunteers like you, Ryan, the United States would not have come about in the first place, and we certainly would not be free today. Your fellow Marine, Senator Zell Miller, says America is now divided into two groups: wimps and warriors. We are eternally proud of you for becoming a warrior for America.

This is Gordon Sawyer, from a window on historic Green Street.