Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Serve.
The Red Heart Shaped Locket
The day the world ended I was in a cell under the ground. A cell stored with food and water, enough to last for a year. The world ended in every way I knew it could. It ended in the sense that there was no longer an endless supply of food which one could purchase with green paper. There was no longer clean water in the faucets. There was only death and suffering everywhere I looked. Scorched grounds without crops. Water polluted with dead fish, and dead carcasses everywhere there used to be animals and humans.
By Melissa Meintjes 5 years ago in Serve
Support the Troops
Support the troops. We haven’t heard that empty slogan lately amidst all the severe skullduggery going on recently. Masks have replaced yellow ribbons. Apparently self-evident, supporting the troops has fallen out of style. It has always been tradition to cite this empty slogan and go about one’s day without taking action to support the troops. But protest if one must. Speak about how one might have joined the service if it wasn’t for this, that or the other. Veterans love that talk. Easy to express bluster and bravado wearing camo rolling to McDonalds in a Monte Carlo when bullets refuse to buzz above the broken bodies of one’s brothers. But go on and continue supporting the troops with pointless platitudes and cowardly courtesies. Come forth with empty accusations of a lack of patriotism on my part… it’s not as if I’ve never heard them before.
By Dustin M Rokita5 years ago in Serve
Crossing Over. Top Story - June 2021.
As a young Marine, I was both excited & nervous to go to another country. Of course, as a member of the armed forces, there is a potential for being put in a dangerous environment which heightens the anxiety. Okinawa, Japan, was ordered to be my home for the next three years of my life. While going to a tropical island seems like a paradise, this was not a vacation but a workplace. We were allowed time to enjoy the island on our off time while still adhering to specific guidelines. "You are an ambassador!" was drilled into our heads from before leaving to go overseas. During this allotted free time, there seemed to be some tensions between the Okinawans & U.S military in some places. Others knew that the American army had money which made them all the friendlier. Until now, I did not fully understand these tensions. After reading multiple historical accounts, literature and speaking with some of the locals, I understood the impact of some of the past atrocities. This is why I chose to write about my time in Okinawa versus my other travels. My time spent overseas was the most intense cultural change I've experienced yet. With that, I also found it necessary to raise a bit of awareness regarding cross-cultural experiences.
By Jeffrey A. Sapp 5 years ago in Serve
Military Mayhem
The Army is special. They have their own set of rules and regulations and time old traditions. In many ways these are great and help keep everyone safe and in order, but in some ways they are irritating and old fashioned. Joining the military family you have to learn a new language of acronyms and new way of behaving.
By Viltinga Rasytoja5 years ago in Serve
Thank You for Your Service
Each year I attend a Memorial Day parade to celebrate our freedom and show my respect for those who gave their lives to protect our liberties. Last year was no different except for an encounter I had with a true American Hero, a man among men.
By roy Slezak5 years ago in Serve
Teamwork, Mission Report, & One By One
We aren't alone in what we do. Every big job will take a crew. Our team does grow, kept in view. When together we get more done. Things which are hard do become fun! With teamwork we shine like the sun! Heavy duties do become light. With a great team we boss each fight! United as one, have great might. Together our foes we'll confound. Pure in purpose we'll be profound. We'll watch our team grow in renown. With strong teamwork all is possible! With each success we're credible. We will become unstoppable! Flowing together like great waves. We'll penetrate strongholds like haze. As pure souls we're a shifting maze. We're born to adapt. We'll change forms. Constant change will become our norm. With each new change we are reborn!
By David Duran 5 years ago in Serve
Bought With A Price
Bought With A Price… As families gather around the grill this summer, I wonder if we will learn from the sacrifices of those who have given their lives for the cause of Freedom. Will the spilled blood on battlefields all over this world change us? Make us better? More caring, less hateful? Will our nation somehow be different because of everything they went through? Will their wounds, their deaths mean anything to us?
By James McMechan5 years ago in Serve
USS Indianapolis Heroes
I've always had a fascination about the saga of the USS Indianapolis, an American heavy cruiser that was torpedoed in the waning days of WWII. This story has captivated me since the first time I heard about the sailors that survived five agonizing days afloat in the vast Pacific Ocean, hundreds succumbing to dehydration, sharks, and wounds.
By Dan McGinnis5 years ago in Serve
Pretty in Projects
Im sure we are all familiar with the hit T.V shows from the 90’s that showcased the sumptuous homes of our favorite celebrities. millions of viewers would sit around watching and gaping at the fabulous furnishings and amenities that our influencers spent millions of dollars and wish they could live like that, even if only momentarily. I was one of those viewers.
By Auiwon Hicks5 years ago in Serve
Elite Command Ops, Absolute Victory, & Superstructure
Marines do command great power! As Elite force we’ll devour, Sol’s enemies hour, by hour. Ranking among men we’re supreme. Things we achieve may seem extreme. Our rock hard bods are the stuff of dreams. We reach foreign & domestic. Things we do you might not expect. We’ll do anything to protect! Each challenge we do overcome. We don’t quit, until we have won. To withstand us, us you become. Strategic we love to practice. We’re experts of brute force tactics. These boys are as soft as cactus. We’re trained to expertly kill. To directives, surrender will. For our great cause blood we do spill.
By David Duran 5 years ago in Serve
