A real life hero

I've been thinking a lot lately (this usually elicits a snide comment from DH, but I digress), what with the nasty terror threat we're under. Thinking about a young man who is somewhere in Afghanistan right now doing who knows what. This young man is a US Army Ranger. Isn't he handsome?

He started college in 2008 and joined Army ROTC. In the middle of two wars, he joined the Army. "Why?" I asked his mother. "It's what he wants to do," she replied. He's not stupid. He was accepted at West Point twice! But I had to wonder. He excelled academically and in ROTC. He graduated in 2012 and after some initial training, he started Ranger training. "Why?" I asked his mother. I got the same reply I got the first time. "It's what he wants to do."

I followed his progress through Ranger training. His mother dutifully detailed his progress based on a book he'd given her. All I have to say is HOLY CRAP! I am beyond impressed with what this young man and his classmates and the classes before him accomplished.

Ranger training

And now he's deployed. Of course he is, he's an elite Army Ranger. This is what he trained for. He calls it a business trip. HA I pray for him every day. I've known this young man all his life. I've known his mother almost all my life.

I can't answer "why" he's trained as hard as he has to go into danger, willingly go into danger. I don't know what he'd say if I asked him "why." I need to ask him that some day.

When I think of him and his brothers and sisters in arms, across all branches of the military, it clarifies for me why I write military heroes. It goes beyond a handsome face and a buff body in a uniform, although that doesn't hurt.

What's not to love about a man (or woman) who puts the safety of his country and its citizens ahead of his own safety. This is a person, who, even with the knowledge that he (or she) may end up in the heat of the battle, still makes the commitment, voluntarily, to something greater than himself (or herself). I don't understand it. But I am oh so grateful.

I get all kinds of good shivers just thinking about the intensity that comes with that level of selfless commitment. And when that intensity is turned on the heroine...YUM! Then there's the duty and honor that are such a part of our military personnel. It doesn't get turned off when the uniform comes off (not going there!!). Our heroines reap the benefits of those values.

Our heroine is very lucky women, indeed, when the hero turns his attention in her direction!

And we're all very lucky that these men are more than just figments of our imagination.

If you're so inclined, I know I would appreciate any prayers, thoughts, and good wishes for my Ranger. His mother would appreciate it, too. If you're inclined to help out my Ranger and his unit with cards or goodies, feel free to email me at FeliciaForella at comcast dot net.

American Soldier - Toby Keith

Three Reasons I Love The Marines

Since we're kicking off the For the Love of Military Romance blog, I wanted to get a few thoughts out on paper right away. One of the questions I get asked most often about military romance is why do I write Marines? Why Marines? Or my favorite, why did you pick the Marines?

The easy answer is...

They picked me.

Yes, that's the easy, simple answer. When it came to sitting down and writing Once Her Man, Always Her Man, I didn't wonder what branch Luke was in...he just told me he was in the Marines. From there, you could say the rest was history. But if I were to look deeper I would say a part of that inspiration came from the photograph of my uncle in his dress blues years before I was born...or better, the image of every single Marine I've ever seen on the news, on television shows and in films.




Honor, Commitment, Courage. These are the core values of the USMC. And the three reasons I love to write them as my heroes and heroines.

From the USMC Principles and Values

HONOR

A code of personal integrity, honor guides those who do the right thing when no one is looking. It is not only a duty, but also a distinction, as those who possess honor are held in honor. It's found in one's beliefs, but exhibited through one's actions. Marines are held to the highest of standards, ethically and morally. Marines are expected to act responsibly in a manner befitting the title they've earned.

COURAGE

When other principles are tested, it's courage that prevents them from crumbling. It isn't ignoring fear, but being stronger than fear. Courage is the guardian of all other values. It is there when times are toughest, when difficult decisions have to be made.  It takes the form of mental, physical and ethical strength, and is found in the backbone of every Marine.

COMMITMENT

Commitment is the spirit of determination found in every Marine. It is what compels Marines to serve our nation and the Corps, and to continue on when others quit. Commitment doesn't take breaks and it cannot be faked. It measures and proves one's desire, dedication and faithfulness. Becoming a United States Marine represents the highest level of commitment.

So while the easy answer may be simple, my love for Marines is a great deal more complicated and layered. These are real people who become Marines, they go through intense training to prove their worth as a Marine and once a Marine...always a Marine.

Please join me this weekend for the Always a Marine anniversary party, celebrating one year since Once Her Man, Always Her Man debuted. The blog party starts here on Saturday and heads over to my blog on Sunday!