We Need the Marines

A few weeks ago, I assisted at a funeral. The deceased had served in the Marines early in his long and full life, and had performed such illustrious service that at his funeral he received the full military honors: a color guard complete with a 21-gun salute, the presentation of the flag to his widow, and the playing of Taps. The young men who gave these honors at the end of the burial office (though, thankfully, before the interment, in accordance with the principle that the nation ought not to have the last word at a funeral) were as sharp and focused as you would expect from United States Marines: their uniforms were immaculate, their every movement was calculated and clean, their duties executed with diligence and devotion to the honor of their corps. There was hardly a dry eye in the congregation as one of the young marines marched up to the widow to present the flag â??on behalf of the President of the United States and a grateful nation.â?