When I talked to the young man he was your typical well groomed, very calm and mature off-duty Marine and he instinctively called me "Sir," his manner was very relaxed and competent.
I remember a few years ago when he was a teenager and his cousin (she worked for me)mentioned he was a "problem" to his mom...he's now well trained and obviously motivated and the politicians (both partys) aren't backing up him or the other kids.
The thought of someone's kid (maybe mine next year) being out there without a proper weapon while Ted Kennedy (Dem), and Harry Reid (Dem)and others spend hours blabbing about whether of not we should be in Iraq pisses me off extremely...The Reps aren't any better as they talk a lot but do little for the troops. I think they should all get down to work and get the troops the needed equipment.
I wish they'd get off their butts and get every single unit better ammunition, new optical sights, new M4s and new SAWs from the factory NOW and while they are at it get the troops some handgun magazines that don't dump their bullets out of the floorplates when fully loaded!
(or better yet, give the damn Berettas with new magazines to the Iraqi police and issue Combat Commanders and full size 1911s OR SIG P245s and SIG 220s to the US troops)