Chesty Puller's Headstone

[Shaffer]

According to an article posted by Zippoman, there is a debate over whether to change an inscription on the legendary Marine’s headstone. The word in question is "soldier". Should “soldier be removed and replaced by “Marine”?

You an read the article here: http://www.leatherneck.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=44390#post44390

Sound Off!

[zippoman]

Originally posted by Shaffer
According to an article posted by Zippoman, there is a debate over whether to change an inscription on the legendary Marine’s headstone. The word in question is "soldier". Should “soldier be removed and replaced by “Marine”?

You an read the article here: http://www.leatherneck.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=44390#post44390

Sound Off!

Yepper !! Change it in my opine.

[CAS3]

I have a question since this is not the true resting place of the famous MARINE then when was the stone placed and by whom.
I do agree with changing "soldier" to MARINE.

[zippoman]

Originally posted by CAS3
I have a question since this is not the true resting place of the famous MARINE then when was the stone placed and by whom.
I do agree with changing "soldier" to MARINE.

Maam, I ain't exactly sure of the date that stone was placed in the Memorial Park, but I will try to find out more........

[thedrifter]

We are Marines, if I wanted to be called a soldier, I would have joined the Army...........I wonder if Chesty isn't turning over in his grave and bent out of shape.............

"ONCE A MARINE ALWAYS A MARINE". LET US NEVER FORGET THIS.....................

"GOD BLESS AMERICA AND THE UNITED STATES MARINES.............."

Sempers,

Roger
:marine:

[greensideout]

I don't see a problem with the term "soldier".
We are all accustom to being called a Marine. I think we prefer that so as not to be confused with soldiers of other branches of the military.

Words in our language are contantly changeing. I know you can think of many in your lifetime. If I were to write, "he was a gay fellow", it would be a totally different meaning then it would have been in 1920. Then it would have meant that he was a happy carefree person. We know what it means now. I don't like the change but that is what language does.

If we were to change the words on our monuments evertime the common use of the word changes we would create a whole new industry of stone chippers.

I am proud to have been a soldier, and even more proud to have been one that was an elite soldier, known as a Marine.

I vote---let it stay as is.

Good night Chesty.

[top1371]

From what I have read about the General, I don't think the word soldier would sit well with him.

I think talking down someone status is wrong.

Consider these:

A 5-star culinary chef introduced as a cook that works at a local restaurant.

A Professor refereed to as a teacher.

A Broadway performer for CATS introduced as, my sister the dancer.

The same contrast. :D

Furthermore, would it be right to introduce your friend that is a Professor as "my friend the high school graduate"? It is true, he is a high school graduate, but aren't you taking something away from him?

We are not soldiers, we have those abilities, but have greatly surpassed them.

I am not just saying this because I am a Marine and have a biased opinion. I can speak about this because I have been through both Army Basic Training and Engineer School and Marine Corps Boot Camp and Engineer School (Engineer all the way... Dad was one too).

Semper Fi,

Top

[JChristin]

I did not earn the title, "Soldier."

That belongs to the army.

I earn the title, "United States Marine."

It's stays with me forever; right on past the gates of heaven and when I check in for duty at our "eternal" duty station.

If I go south, the fires will blow just that much more hotter. Plus, I'll be guarding the gates making sure no one gets out without proper leave...ya...right.


Chesty was a Marine. That's his title for all of eternity. It says it all.


semper fi,
jchristin

[GySgtRet]

JChristin,

Since our beloved Chesty is long since been laid to rest. If we change the headstone to read "MARINE" instead of "SOLDIER". Marine should have been put on his headstone. What would that change? I am not disagreeing with anybody on this, I just think let it be as it was when he was laid to rest.

Semper Fidelis

[MillRatUSMC]

Lt. General Lewis B. Puller aka "Chesty" was a Marine, but Marines have been described as "Soldiers of the Sea".
So the term might interrupted as "Soldier"
We're splitting hairs here.
Would Lt. General Lewis offended by the term "soldier"?
He never went by the name of "Chesty" it was Pvt. PFC, Corporal, 2nd Lt, 1st Lt, Captain, Major, Lt.Col, Col, Brig General, Major General and Lt. General.
It's our name of endearment for a Marine Officer that we hold in highest of regard.
I hope that I haven't start a flaming war here.
These are just my opinions for a Marine Officer, that I thought the world of.
Especially that he was Commanding Officer the 1st Marines in Korea.
As a member of Golf Co 2nd Bn 1st Marines in Vietnam.

Semper Fidelis
Ricardo

[MillRatUSMC]

Small correction...
Would Lt. General Lewis B. Pullerbe offended by the term "soldier"?

Semper Fidelis
Ricardo

[top1371]

GySgtRet

This is not his actual headstone but a memorial that was dedicated last year. See link in first post for details....

Semper Fi,

Top

[MillRatUSMC]

Small correction...
Would Lt. General Lewis B. Puller be offended by the term "soldier"?

Semper Fidelis
Ricardo

[1159273]

I think the family of Chesty should make this decision. Semper Fi - Bill

[tophor]

I think Chesty's headstone should read MARINE, soldier is not a fitting name to be on the headstone of any MARINE, especially Chesty Puller's.

[tophor]

I think Chesty's headstone should read MARINE, soldier is not a fitting name to be on the headstone of any MARINE, especially Chesty Puller's.

[gehrij]

Chesty Puller Leader of Marines!And anyone has the hutzba to erect anything saying SOLDIER?The big guy would have a field day were he here.

[Sticky blue]

A Marines is a soldier... is a soldier always a Marine?

What was this Marine proudest of, being a Marine or being a soldier? Give the man his correct title.

Once... Always

Per Mare

[DevilDog]

Originally posted by Sticky blue
A Marines is a soldier... is a soldier always a Marine?

What was this Marine proudest of, being a Marine or being a soldier? Give the man his correct title.

Once... Always

Per Mare

You are WAYYYYY off..it is insulting to call a Marine a Soldier....i have always made it a point to correct somebody when i'm in another country when they referred to me as a Soldier..NO WAY..

and yes..a soldier will never be a Marine (unless they under go our initial training)

Chesty is the most decorated Marine that has ever lived..Greatest Marine that Ever Lived (http://www.leathernecklane.com/marine/wk/chesty.htm)

[Sticky blue]

The definitions according to Collins English Dictionary:

Soldier = Fighter, Combatant, one who serves in the army.
Marine = of the sea or shipping. A soldier trained to fight at sea or on land.
http://docsouth.unc.edu/wwi/41952/B-119-thumb.jpg
I know the difference between a Marine and an Soldier in the Army, I've been a Marine for 23 Years so I should know. What a Marine does is Soldiering, therefore he is a soldier. A Marine is a breed apart from a person serving in the Army but they do however have one thing in common and that is probably all... just one!
Like I said give him his correct title... Marine

[DevilDog]

Originally posted by Sticky blue
The definitions according to Collins English Dictionary:

Soldier = Fighter, Combatant, one who serves in the army.
Marine = of the sea or shipping. A soldier trained to fight at sea or on land.
http://docsouth.unc.edu/wwi/41952/B-119-thumb.jpg
I know the difference between a Marine and an Soldier in the Army, I've been a Marine for 23 Years so I should know. What a Marine does is Soldiering, therefore he is a soldier. A Marine is a breed apart from a person serving in the Army but they do however have one thing in common and that is probably all... just one!
Like I said give him his correct title... Marine

If you knew this then why would you even question it..

makes you wonder..huh

[Sticky blue]

I didn't question it, it was irony...

[DevilDog]

My bust..I take all that I said back..

Semper Fi,
TR

[leroy8541]

It depends on how the word "soldier" is used, as a noun or a verb. As a MARINE I did my soldiering on the sea.

[gehrij]

What is this question about??? why hasen't it already been changed?

[ALSEUT]

Chesty is a huge Marine Corps icon Every Marine wants to be a Chesty, but there can only be one. I agree that for a Marine, Soldiers is quit hitting the mark.

[quakerboy74]

I didn't earn the title of "Marine", to be called "soldeir".

Neither did Chesty. Give him the respect he so greatly deserves.

Semper Fi!