Coins of Combat/Another Battle Waged
An interesting package came in the mail yesterday. It was from one of Mike's "Battle Buddies". Inside of it were 2 coins. They were coins that a Marine had sent that commemorated a very important time in all of their lives - the second battle of Fallujah.
Although anyone can go online and order Marine Corp Challenge coins, these were even more special because of the meaning that stands behind them.
As stated on the marineshop.net website:
With the rich history that the Marine Corps has it is no wonder that USMC Challenge Coins are among the most coveted and respected.
The challenge coin is used by those in the military as a special token for a job well done, a very special honor, or to prove one’s allegiance.
To prove one's allegiance.
Wow, what powerful words those are. You see, those coins meant more than just "Hey, I'm thinking of you, Buddy". They showed an allegiance between Brothers In Arms that has lasted more than a decade. This allegiance has traveled over half of the world. It is stronger than the thousands of miles that separates them.
They showed the tenacity and resilience of an Oathkeeper.
As I'm sure you can imagine, there's been SEVERAL discussions at our house about just moving. I can think of 19302380 reasons why at this point. One of them is the fear for my safety. Another is a fear of Mike's safety. Another is a fear that Mike's PTSD cannot be treated properly if he's under constant stress and pressure from an entity that seems hell bent to destroy him. Then the list goes on and on from there...
However, after seeing the coins that were sent yesterday, it made me feel a lot better. Anyone that knows the Combat PTSD monster knows that he likes to do certain things to our Warriors. First and foremost, he likes to isolate them from the people that care about them. He forgot something though. He forgot who he's messing with.
He is not the only one who forgot.
The United States Marine Corp has a rich and powerful history in something else as well. The pledge that these men and women have made to not only our country but also to each other.
Once a Marine, always a Marine.
In the dark of night when I get afraid for our future, I realize that we've got men who served in the strongest branch of the world's greatest military behind us. I realize that although we have several obstacles to overcome, we are not alone.
Uncommon valor was a common virtue.
You see, a Marine will never let one of his Brothers and Sisters in Arms go off into battle alone. Mike's battalion is proving it. Over a decade later. Thousands of miles apart. The "Battle Buddies" are rallying together to do exactly what they did in Combat.
Save the life of a fellow Marine.
The coins mean something so sacred that his adversaries will never understand - especially based on their actions. Destroying one Marine is hard enough as it is. But what about when the schoolyard bully has to go against a whole battalion of them? Who is more likely to be believed? Several war heroes or a bully?
A Marine owes his Brothers in Arms something that many of us will never be able to understand. He owes his life. And he knows it.
Marine Corps integrity is doing that thing which is right, when no one is looking.
With honor these men defended their country. With honor they will defend their fellow Marine. In allegiance they stand. The coins, and the calls and words of support that are coming from all over the country prove it.
