Happy Birthday, Chesty Puller

Lou Diamond might have been the perfect Marine, but nobody doubts that Chesty Puller was the Marine's Marine. Lewis Burwell Puller was born on this day in 1898. He died in 1971, having served the bulk of his life as a Marine. He remains the most-decorated Marine of all time and was awarded the Navy Cross five times. The Navy Cross is one step short of the Medal of Honor, the highest award for valor that the United States gives. I'm not sure if Chesty is the only person ever to receive five Navy Crosses, but it wouldn't surprise me. It only surprises me that he never was awarded the Medal of Honor. He was one serious bad ass, and he believed in leading from the front. Unlike some presidents we might have who favor leading from behind (I'm looking at you, Barry.)

Chesty was a mustang -- a man who started as enlisted but earned an officer's commision -- who wound up a lieutenant general, the second-highest rank in the U.S. military. He served in some of the Marine Corps' most famous battles, including Guadalcanal and Peleliu during World War II, and Chosin Reservoir during the Korean War. Puller's 1st Marine Regiment was critical in getting the 1st Marine Division out of the grasp of more than seven Chinese divisions. There are various versions of the quote, but he is known to have said something along these lines at the time:

“All right, they’re on our left, they’re on our right, they’re in front of us, they’re behind us…they can’t get away this time.”

Chesty was a bad ass. Happy birthday, Chesty, or, as Marines say nightly all over the world until this day, "Good night, Chesty Puller, where ever you are."

Why didn't I think of this?

Apparently, Michelle Obama turned 51 a few days ago, and the Democrats did exactly what everyone's initial inclination would be. I mean, really, who hasn't used their birthday as a fundraising opportunity?

In possibly one of the most cynical and tasteless birthday celebrations of recent times, Mrs. Obama has featured prominently in the Democratic Party’s promotional emails and social media feeds in recent days in order to try and extract money from followers.
Firstly, and undoubtedly approved by Michelle Obama, Democratic National Committee Chairwoman Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz sent out the following email to party members.
“I don’t know if you’ve heard, but Michelle Obama’s 51st birthday is three days away.
And I bet that you think the First Lady is pretty great — so I wanted to make sure you got the chance to sign your name to her birthday card:
Thanks, — she’s going to love this.”
If you click the link to sign the card, you then get directed to a donor page seeking a financial contribution. Here’s what you’re greeted with.
“Thanks for signing our card for Michelle! Now, can you take the next step and support the democrats?
Unlike our opponents, we don’t take money from special interests, corporate lobbyists, and political action committees.
What we have is supporters like you. Join us by making a donation today.”

And I thought I was cynical. Put aside for a moment that of course the Democrats take money from "special interests, corporate lobbyists and political action committees. I'm used to lies coming out of Debbie Wasserman-Schultz's mouth. But this seems just a bit like bait-and-switch.

Inquisitr.com puts up all the Twitter and website solicitations for donations based on the First Lady's birthday. I don't suppose anyone wonders why polling shows record lows in respect for the institution of the presidency. This is just crass and unnecessary. On the other hand, she is the White House resident with a positive approval rating, so maybe she's the last personality the Democrats have left to inspire fundraising.

Happy belated birthday

I missed Willie Nelson's 80th birthday earlier this week, which is damn near unforgivable. As penance, here's Willie with Toby Keith:

Happy Birthday, Willie!

Happy birthday, Marine Corps

Yeah, people thought I forgot. No way. Today is the 237th birthday of the U.S. Marine Corps. No better friend, no worse enemy. He's home now, but my son spent the last USMC birthday in Afghanistan. That's him on the left.

Very different experience for him this Birthday Ball. Got to take his girlfriend to the ball.

Please note the Combat Action Ribbon on his right side, and the medal closest to the buttons on his left is the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal. Can't help bragging. He did OK over there, and I'm really proud. Happy birthday, guys.