Today I woke up on the rough side the planet, grabbed a steaming cup of Devil Dog Brew, and went about the task of addressing several work related headaches. After more than a few hours, my disposition still more than a bit at odds, I thought of my buddy Major Prater, founder of the heritage military websites over at TogetherWeServed, and paid a visit to the Marine portal which is a favorite stomping ground of mine. TWS is where I go to commune with my Marine Corps brothers and sisters but there's also a home for the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard in fact as of last count there were 1,105,019 members, I think that makes it the single largest Veterans group online.

Meet Corporal Molly Burwell.  When she's describing TWS she's talking directly to me about why the military family of brothers and sisters, and in our case Marines, just makes my day.

Corporal Burwell served from 1988-1992 and I'm sure she'll tell you the Corps has left it's indelible mark.

The Disjointed Ramblings of a Huge Fan by Molly Burwell

What does TWS mean to me? Well, I've read all the heartfelt responses from our resident comedians, the poet laureate, the instigators and terminators... newcomers and old timers... and can't and wouldn't say I'd disagree with any of you.

TWS is beyond special.

Stumbling upon TWS through an old friend, I had no clue what I'd stepped into.. I was knee deep and didn't know it, at a crossroads in my life I didn't see coming. Traveling down a road I'd not foreseen, TWS came along just in time to kick me in the ass when I really needed it. It was like coming home. Surrounded by a sea of stupid, lazy and selfish civilians who were so absorbed in their own lives they had and have not the first clue what is REALLY happening to their great nation, I was suddenly amongst people who really believed in not only our country, but in each other. Marines who, by accident or design, followed the yellow footprint road, spoke the same language and had the intestinal fortitude to tell me to pound sand and cover my six at the same time.  My old platoon commanders, room mate, my first husband... people I love like brothers and sisters ... no matter how much time has passed... they are here.

It wasn't long after I joined the site, a shitbird degenerate employee robbed my (now ex) husband's (er, second husband) company blind, causing me to shift into high gear. I went back into the business and worked my behind off to save the division I'd once run.... and, of course, it worked. However, the other divisions fell like a house of cards. I opened a new business-- doing what my division had done-- and rebuilt from the ground up. Meanwhile back at the ranch? I'd already given him fair warning. In the end, my 2nd husband got the business and every flippin' thing else of monetary value. It took a couple of years for all of this to transpire. During that time TWS helped me reconnect with old friends and make new ones. And, I became active in the MCL (Marine Corps League) where I made even more new friends and connected with old... and eventually fell in love again. With a Marine.

I have civilian friends. Actually, I'm blessed with a great deal of really good friends, for which I am grateful. However, when all the proverbial crap hit the fan? Guess who was there to really have my back, kick me in the behind, wipe my tears and threaten mayhem upon those who did me wrong? Marines. They called. They emailed. They helped in ways you can't imagine. Kind words, legal advice, job leads... and kicks in the ass.

Today, my brother called me, madder than a wet biddy hen. Said he had put together a care package for any soldier at Walter Reed's Wounded Warriors and was told he was unable to send a package without a specific name attached.  Said he had a fire mission for TWS, today was his only day he'd be able to get to the post office for weeks and he needed an addy ricki tick.  Well, I was at work without net access and only two minutes left on my break so I called a TWS member and my MCL Commandant Brian Gillespie who had an address at Bethesda.  Before my two minutes were up? Some Warrior had an incoming care package full of really great stuff. My brother was Army. He could have gone to the Army side, but he went to me... for obvious reasons.  Marines take care of their own and he knows his big sister knows a hell of a lot of Marines here that will have answers. He was right.

I may fall off the radar here to lick my wounds or to otherwise unass my life, but TWS is in my heart and on my window next to the EGA.  I am forever grateful to TWS for being there to reconnect me with the family I chose. I'd rather be on TWS in a pissing contest with another hardhead obstinate Marine like myself than at some spiked punch lameass tupperware party listening to a bunch of broads kibitz about fat pants and crescent roll recipes that roll their eyes when I tell them how much fun I had at the range last weekend.  I mean seriously? How in the hell is a girl supposed to survive as a civilian after wearing our beloved uniform? It's not easy.

Brothers? If you think civilian MEN drive you up a wall? Try civilian women AND men when you are a WM (THAT"S RIGHT! I SAID IT! WHISKY FREAKIN MIKE. I AM A WM. I was at PI when my only goal in life was to say I'm a WM so if the young'uns don't like it, tough crap). Now try doing it in a freakin Blue state where they think our CIC is the second coming of JC himself.  

I love you.. all of you. Even the ones that have made me consider cross country drives just to cuss you out in person. LOL All of you.

Thank you Maj. Prater. You Sir, are a rock star.

Semper Fi Brothers and Sisters, from the bottom of my heart.
If you need anything. I'm here.