Opinion: Take time to thank vets and wives

Nov. 11 was Armistice Day, a day designated to honor those lost in the Great War, or the “war to end all wars.” Would that it was so.

Armistice Day became Veterans Day in 1954 and honors those who serve or served in all branches of the U.S. military. My heartfelt thanks to all who served and continue to serve in the military forces of our country.

Nov. 10 was the 248th birthday of the U.S. Marines, and I would be remiss if I did not say to Marines everywhere, “To all who shall see these presents, Greetings, Happy Birthday.”

The first birthday celebration was held in 1921 and was established by Marine Corps Order No. 47, from Maj. Gen. John A. Lejeune, commandant of the Marine Corps.

Two things from that first birthday message have stuck with me through the years. One was the fact that the order stated, “The following will be read to the command on the 10th of November, 1921, and hereafter on the 10th of November of every year.”

This ensured a lasting tradition that would continue.

The second was the phrase, “...generation after generation of Marines have grown gray in war in both hemispheres and in every corner of the seven seas, that our country and its citizens might enjoy peace and security.”

Most of my Marine friends fit that “grown gray” category and the rest of the phrase remains true to this day.

A word about Marine wives. The Marine wife is living in a place she calls home and is enjoying life, and friends when out of the blue come “Orders.”

Over the years, she puts up with the separations, (13 months or longer) the moves, the finding new places to live in places she didn’t necessarily want to be, getting the kids into new schools they didn’t necessarily want to be in, and doing it all on her own.

So, while you take time to thank veterans of all services, take a minute to thank the person who deserves as much if not more gratitude for his service.

My wife had a t-shirt that said, “Toughest Job in the Corps, Marine Wife.”

The shirt had it right.

I once overheard one of the young Marines in my unit say, “I don’t know how Gunny Render’s wife puts up with his BS.” One of the sergeants assured him, “She doesn’t.”

Rube Render is a former Clovis city commissioner and former chair of the Curry County Republican Party. Contact him:

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