My favorite anecdote from Saturday: One of the wounded

Marines was in ICU, and was still feeling the effects of the anesthesia,

having just come from surgery. A Lieutenant General stopped by to see how he

was.

“How are you doing, Lance Corporal?” he said.

“Lance Corporal my a**,” the semi-conscious Marine said, “I have enough time

in to be a Corporal by now.” The 3-star nodded, went off and made a phone

call. Within the hour the young Marine had his corporal’s stripes.

Let me add that when I was assigned to Quantico I often had the opportunity

to buy rounds for the guys but toasting the Corps with these young men was a

moving experience.