Going through my closet yesterday. Tucked away in the back was the only uniform I kept was my dress blues. They're hanging in my closet in a garment bag. Still in great condition. Still have all the medals and trinkets on them from my last USMC birthday ball we attended. Got rid of all the other uniforms except those. They're tucked away. Out of sight most days. But I know they're there.
Why I Kept Them
I'm keeping them because my funeral viewing will be in dress blues. That's the plan anyway. Most likely they'll have to open up the back of the coat and pants so they fit on me. They definitely don't fit anymore. I've put on about 100 pounds since getting out. The guy who wore those blues the last time is long gone in a lot of ways.
But the uniform still means something.
It represents over 20 years of my life. The places I went. The people I served with. The things I did that I'm proud of and some I'm not. All of it wrapped up in wool and brass and ribbons that most people will never understand.
What It Means Now
I don't take them out and look at them. I don't try them on. I already know the answer to that question. But knowing they're there matters. It's proof that I was something once. That I belonged to something bigger than myself. That I earned the right to wear those blues.
They'll stay tucked away until I croak I guess. Then they'll do one last job. Send me off the way I want...as a Marine.
Thanks for reading,
Joe
Notes:
-All content is mine unless otherwise annotated.
-Images are my own unless otherwise noted.
-Photos edited using Linux photo editor and drawing and/or iPhone SE.
-Page Dividers from The Terminal Discord.
