Forums » Smalltalk » Portent, Thanks, and Happy Birthday

This has been a rather interesting week, without a doubt.

With the 2016 United States Presidential race over and a new President-elect chosen, this has become a time of celebration, relief, worry, fear, and uncertainty.

I know that many of us have been affected. Friends, family, loved ones, neighbors, and coworkers are afraid of the future and what it may bring.

This is why I feel like it is rather portentous that there are three days in a row that allow us to look at the future, the past, and the present respectively.

Yesterday we got a new President. Today, the United States Marine Corps celebrates its 241st birthday. If you don't know much about the history of the Marines, it's pretty interesting, and surprisingly full of tolerance and acceptance.
A few of the things that I learned during my four years were the fact that there is no white, black, native, latino, Asian, or any race. Only light green and dark green, and you need both to make camouflage. It doesn't matter what someone does in bed and who they do it with, so long as they watch your back and do their job.
Happy birthday, Marines. Semper Fidelis.
And lastly, tomorrow is Veteran's Day,a day where we celebrate those that came back, mourn those that didn't, and give thanks for everyone that has put on the uniforms of the armed services.
I have fought and served and bled for America and for the American people, I have family, both by blood and heart, that have done the same. And I will gladly do so again.

I don't think that it is any mistake that these three days are so close, within the same week, even back - to - back - to - back.
To me, and many I love and know, it is a reminder of the commitment that we made. The fear and worry that some are experiencing brings to mind the oath I took to defend this country and its citizens from all enemies, foreign and domestic.

If you are afraid, know that I am too. But myself, and hundreds of thousands of brothers and sisters who serve, have served, and who have given their lives to defeat hatred and promote the rights of Americans and other global citizens stand with you.

You are not alone. We may not always agree, but together we can forge peace and understanding.
We will not go backwards. Despite our differences, the future is ours so long as we stand together.

Happy birthday, thank all for your service, and here's to the future,may it be bright and full of love.

Hey JayBird,

I want to commend you on the tone of this post. This is a particularly volatile time and I think you're sending a message that people need to hear. It certainly helps me sort through some of the worry.

Thank you for your service and your commitment to continue serving. Thank you for taking the responsibilities of citizenship so seriously.

For those of you about to respond, I would like to offer a gentle reminder that the mod team prefers not to see political arguments on the forums. I would hate to have to come back and moderate a thread that began with such good intentions. I only mention it because of just how divided U.S politics is right now. Not because anyone has done, or I expect anyone to do anything wrong.

Thanks again, JayBird. This was very thoughtful.

I'm not nearly as eloquent with words as Ben is, but I too would like to thank you for your service, wonderful tone, and lovely post that I'm sure is a nugget of hope-bringing goodness in a time of strife.