When most people ask "Why did you join the Marines?" I usually tell them it's becuase I needed out of the house, or I wanted a challenge. Truth is, it's so much more than that. There's a feeling you get when some one who you've never seen before and don't know comes up to you with his family and thanks you for being a Marine, and doing the job that you do. When he says he's thankful for you, and that he knows his wife and children (who are standing right there with him) are safe at night knowing that Marines are standing watch over this country and it's people. I've tried to explain that feeling to my best friends, and even they don't understand and just look at you wierd for saying that. What other "job" would get you that recognition? I don't know of any other "job" where while even in civilian attire some one can pick out who you are and what you do. I don't think that any thing else could bring one group of people together as a family as the Marines do. So what do you tell a person when they ask you, "Why the Marines?" Well, I'll be telling them they won't understand untill they become one. Then, just then, will they truely understand why I became, and always will be one of the Few, the Proud, a United States Marine.