I lost my son February 27, 2010. After spending a couple of days with fellow Marines, I was inspired to write this and wanted to share it.
Kari Underkofer

A Marine

To most, a Marine is a young handsome son in uniform serving his country, but there is a far greater depth to he that is called a Marine.

There are many who desire the title of Marine, but few that are able to give themselves to this calling.

It takes a great inner strength and fortitude to even complete the training that is required of a Marine.

A transformation of one's self takes place and a lifetime brotherhood bond is established between each and every Marine.

A Marine is a different breed of character and only their own understand this tie to one another.

A Marine is the first one on the battle field, eye to eye with the enemy, knocking down doors and removing threats.

They will go days without hot meals or showers. Their beds will be shoveled out dirt holes that fill with water and mud.

They are exposed to the elements of heat and cold, with only their fellow Marine to keep them warm or care to their wounds.

A Marine may be wounded from blasts or explosions, run on broken limbs, but will continue on until the mission is complete.

They will risk everything to save one another. They will retrieve their brother's bodies from the battlefield, as no man is left behind.

But the battle does not end here, it continues on in every Marine's memory, all for the sake of freedom so that we, as civilians may speak our minds, go to a McDonald's or grab a cup of moxie.

The Marine continues to bear this burden for us. He trembles inside at loud noises, his heartbeat races in crowds of people, he continues on high alert to ensure his safety.

He sometimes attempts to silence this burden with alcohol, pills, and drugs. His home life is often damaged with anger because he cannot speak of what he feels.

My friend, this is the price of our freedom. The reason we can take a walk on safe ground, have good food and clean water, raise our children and send them to school so their lives may be better than our own.

The sacrifices made by these men are daunting.

The United States Marine Corps took my son Joe and returned to me a warrior, Chango. The good Lord took Chango, but returned to me hundreds of sons in the United States Marine Corps.

Their love for their fellow Marine, brother and family is overwhelming.

I am privileged that God would entrust me with such an honor as to give birth to a Marine.

Although Chango now guards the gates of heaven, he continues to live on through each and every United States Marine.

May God send his angels of peace to touch each Marine and may every United States citizen take the time to truly understand that your freedom is not free.

God love the Marines