There are many things that I take pride in, but the one thing I take the most pride in is being the daughter of a United States Marine.

My father was in the Marine Corps for 22 years, but as they say “Once a Marine, Always a Marine.” Although he has been retired for about 10 years now, having a Master Sergeant as a Dad still benefits me to this day.

Since the day I was able to understand what my Dad did for a living, whenever someone asked me what that was I would smile from ear to ear and say “He is a US Marine.” He also worked for the FAA, but no one will ever understand the amount of pride I took in saying that my Dad is a marine. I will forever be able to be a part of something-- a family quite bigger than my immediate family--the Marine Corps family.

For quite a few years before the Willow Grove Base closed down, my family and I would spend our summers with other military families at the Navy Base’s pool. It was nice to know that everyone in this enclosed area had something in common, and it was even better to know that we were contained in an area protected by barbed wire fences and men and women of different branches of service on the premises. Everyone had their own story--each family that gathered at a picnic table along side of the pool came from a different place, or was related to someone in a different branch. Although it did not feel as if we were different--because we really weren’t--everyone that belonged to that pool had someone in their family who was serving our country. There were various events on that base--breakfast with Santa, Toys for Tots, that base provided so many great memories. You could get your hair cut, go to the bank, go to the exchange store and get whatever you may need. It was a privilege to be on the Navy base, and it was because of my father that I had this privilege.

Being the daughter of a US Marine has taught me so much, more than most children learn at such a young age. I learned about honor, integrity, sacrifice,and so much more. Having learned so many important things like these I felt as if I was at an advantage, my father instilled principles and values of the Marine Corps in me, and for that I am forever grateful. I was the first kid to get up in class each day to say the pledge of allegiance, and yell at the students who wouldn't even stand, and still am. I was the kid who told the truth even if it was not the “Cool thing to do,” and I still do that today. I was the kid who wanted to be line leader, speak in front of the class, and overall be a leader, and I still am today.

Although I learned a lot about being the best I can be, I also learned that being the daughter of a Marine was extremely useful in uncomfortable situations. There were many dates I got out of in high school (that I did not want to go on) simply because I said “My Dad is a Marine.” It scares the shit out of people believe it or not. And I swear if I go into a store and wear a shirt that says “USMC” or anything in that nature I do not get as many dirty looks from sales associates.

And I’ve seen some amazing things…

Once a man stopped traffic to give my father a segment of a flag from overseas because he saw that we had military stickers on our car. There have been an innumerable amount of beer my dad has gotten for free because a fellow Marine bought him a drink. And there again is a great amount of pride that I feel when someone passes my dad and says “Semper Fi,” always faithful.

“But on the 8th day, at 0730, God looked down upon the earth and was not happy. No, God was not happy! So He thought about His labors, and in His divine wisdom God created a divine creature. And this He called Marine. And these Marines, who God had created in His own image, were to be of the air, and of the land, and of the sea.”