There is no such thing as an ex-marine

Let me echo and recognize what my sisters have said. It is amazing how Mary Kay, dad's nurse from the HCI has gone above and beyond her call of duty to help him and the family over the last day. We are indebted to her for the great service she has rendered our family. I think she and so many others have been incredible in the service and care you have given to dad and all the rest of us while he has been sick. I dont think it is coincidence that someone like dad or mom attract such great people to help them.

The last few days have been scary, and being far away is getting harder. I am counting the days until I move home and hoping that dad can hang on.

We talk about dad's service as a marine a lot because that is where he solidified his ability to fight. Dad made our household a marine household, he held true the motto and the commitment of his brotherhood. Semper Fi is his motto, Honor Courage, and Commitment are his virtues, and he has always personified the tradition of "first to help and first to fight"
As a family it has taken a lifetime for us to learn what dad learned in those short years as a marine. Two years ago the report was released in the final investigation of the attack on the american embassy during the tet offensive. The following comes from the report given to the Faculty of the US Army Command. It describes dads unit as follows:

The Marine Security Guard was a special individual. He was handpicked for the duty; which was, as it remains today, the most prestigious duty in the Marine Corps. The individual Marine was required to have a spotless background check and impeccable training record. Each man had to reach a high state of physical fitness and ―look like a Marine. Most Marines assigned to embassy duty were veritable ―talking recruiting posters.

The Attack on the American Embassy during Tet, 1968: Factors that Turned a Tactical Victory into a Political Defeat , O'brien

I read that to dad after the report came out. I was surprised by his reaction. He cried and looked at me and regarding his military service said, "I just wanted you to know that I was a good man." To me that seemed like an understatement.

Dad you are much more than a good man. You are the poster boy for good men. You have made it official again and again. You are not just A marine, you are THE marine.

May your guardian angels, both earthly and celestial continue to watch over you while you fight, and protect you and keep you, as you have protected and kept us.