AND ALL THE TIME, I HAVE LOVED THEM

I HAVE GROWN TO LOOK UPON MARINES AS SOMETHING SACRED;

I HAVE LAUGHED WITH THEM AND CRIED WITH THEM;

CURSED THEM AND PRAYED FOR THEM;

SHIVERED AND SWELTERED WITH THEM;

SUFFERED WITH THEM;

FOUGHT WITH THEM, BLED WITH THEM, AND HELD THEM IN MY ARMS WHILE THEY DIED.

I HAVE BURIED THEM.

AND ALL THE TIME, I HAVE LOVED THEM.

~Maj Gene Duncan, USMC (ret)