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ROGER HEDGECOCK read a letter from a member of the U.S. Marine Corps, which kinda says it all when it comes to definiing what the Corps is all about. We post the letter in response to hundreds of e-mails from all over the globe...it does kinda make the point...you be the judge.

A funny thing happened to me yesterday at Camp Bondsteel (Bosnia):
A French army officer walked up to me in the PX, and told me he thought we (Americans) were a bunch of cowboys and were going to provoke a war.

He said if such a thing happens, we wouldn't be able to count on the support of France. I told him that it didn't surprise me. Since we had come to France's rescue in World War I, World War II, Vietnam, and the Cold War, their ingratitude and jealousy was due to surface at some point in the near future anyway.

That is why France is a third-rate military power with a socialist economy and a bunch of faggots for soldiers. I additionally told him that America, being a nation of deeds and action, not words, would do whatever it had to do, and France's support was only for show anyway. Just like in ALL NATO exercises, the US would shoulder 85% of the burden, as evidenced by the fact that the French officer was shopping in the American PX, and not the other way around.

He began to get belligerent at that point, and I told him if he would like to, I would meet him outside in front of the Burger King and beat his ass in front of the entire Multi-National Brigade East, thus demonstrating that even the smallest American had more fight in him than the average Frenchman. He called me a barbarian cowboy and walked away in a huff.

With friends like these, who needs enemies?

Mary Beth Johnson LtCol, USMC

Let it be known that while my grandfather and his battalion of Argyle & Sutherland Highlanders were being slaughtered almost to the man (only 18 survived from his battalion) alongside many other courageous Allied soldiers fighting rearguard on the shores of Dunkirk in 1941, many French soldiers were already on the relative safety of UK soil!
This was their own turf and they couldn't even find the balls to fight alongside them and find honour in defending their own country to the last.
Hell, every time there is a dispute in their country they have to involve the rest of Europe to make their point for example those who watch European news will know of the lorry drivers' dispute of fuel prices - no-one debates their right to make a point. But I draw the line at them threatening the lives of my family in a direct manner - they should be taken out and shot for sure.

Amen, Kodiak.

Did you notice who wrote the email? A FEMALE USMC Lt. Col!

The Marines not only develop strong capable men - apparently they also develop strong capable women.

Semper Fi!

Sometimes, I just don't understand. What the hell would possess someone to walk up and start giving a USMC crap is beyond me. Like she makes the rules? Man, I salute her for being an upright marine and restraining herself. I'm sure the desire to wipe the floor with that Frenchie's face was near impossible to ignore. This story reminds me of the time that my old man was in a PX over in England. I guess and Royal Navy officer told my father that the American Navy was comprised primarily of garbage scows and pigs for crew....my father was a master chief petty officer at the time, and I'll let you use your imagine to figure the rest of the story out.

Something happened to the French after the deposition of Napoleon... I do not know what, but something. Their best force, the FFL, is mostly foreigners.

Grif,
All your father really had to do was to remind the gentleman Royal Navy Officer of the America's Cup... But really that was probably just the arrogance of a Royal Navy Officer - those types exist in our own armed forces - nothing like the French thing...

Steel:

Oh, I realize the incidents aredisimilar on many levels. Nevertheless, it did remind me of that time. I suppose it reminded me because of the pride that we all take in the service to our country, no matter what branch we join or support.