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Marine-style Persuasion

David Danelo | December 22, 2005

A few years ago, as military personnel were enjoying their last Christmas before rolling towards Kuwait and then war in Iraq, a Marine staff sergeant was driving around Carlsbad, California with his wife and infant daughter. The staff sergeant pulled into a gas station. An old man with long hair and a scraggly beard was holding up a sign. “Baby Killers.” His paunchy son, who had a soft, clean-shaven face, was about the staff sergeant's age. “No Blood For Oil,” read the other sign. They both wore peace symbols.

As the staff sergeant was filling up his tank, he glared at the men, who stared back. Even in civilian clothes, the Marine's physique and haircut revealed his profession. Finally, the peace protesters turned around, facing the street and placing their back to the Marine.

The staff sergeant and his wife were both silent as he drove back to their home in Oceanside. When they pulled in the driveway, his wife got out of the truck. She was holding their child. The Marine remained in his seat.

“Sweetie, go on inside. I've got an errand to run.”

“You're not going where I think you're going, are you?”

“Just run on in. I'll be back soon.”

The staff sergeant drove back to the gas station. The men were still protesting, holding up their signs and chanting inane slogans like Bread Not Bombs, We Want Peace, and No War Now. They eyed the Marine as he parked and walked over to them.

Calmly, the staff sergeant approached the older man. Both men became visibly nervous.

The Marine grabbed the sign out of the older man's hand and looked at it. “Baby killers,” he read aloud. “That's interesting. I've got a beautiful little girl that I'd do anything for. She's the light of my life. Sir, I'm just wondering,” the Marine said, “have you ever served in the military?”

The aging hippie shook his head. By now, his son had also lowered his sign.

“And you, buddy, do you know anything about the Marine Corps? Are any of your friends Marines? Have you ever even talked to a real grunt?”

Blank stares.

“Well let me explain something to you guys. Protesting is one thing. I have no problem with that. In a way, it makes me feel proud. Because of what I'm doing, you have the freedom to do what you're doing. You can say whatever you want. I've been to a lot of places in the world where life isn't like that. When I see you holding up your signs, I'm happy. It means that our country is free.

“But don't hold up signs that are outright lies. Marines aren't baby killers. We're real people. We have families and kids. We love our lives and our country. Forget the movies. We aren't brainwashed killers. We're just regular people proud to serve.”

The men with long hair were dumbfounded.

“Here's your sign back,” the Marine said.

The staff sergeant turned away, walking into the gas station store to pick up a soda. When he came out to his truck, he noticed that the parking lot was empty.

The men had gone home.

Merry Christmas.

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Copyright 2005 David Danelo. All opinions expressed in this article are the author's and do not necessarily reflect those of Military.com.