Marine Corps Stories: Until There is Peace

Some CLP dripped to the deck. It soon disappeared with a wipe. Staff Sergeants Orlando Casey and Tobias Polk ensured that their weapons would be pristine and ready for battle.

“I thought that the movie is set in Cambodia,” Casey said. He cleaned his rifle some more.

“It actually is about the Vietnam War, even though it takes place in Cambodia for a few chunks of the film,” Polk said.

“I don’t care. I think that the best movies are about the Vietnam War. There are few about other wars that America has fought and other countries as well that are classic and deserve praise, but that era of films that came out of the womb of Hollywood about Vietnam? None better.”

Polk continued to clean his weapon as well. “Yes, that’s agreed. What about the one with the Russian roulette scene?”

“That was a good one. Or the one about the Marines who come home and stage a heist…. ” The brush against the 7075 aluminum alloy sounded like a broom sweeping a street.

“The ending was interesting but it did little to showcase Black Marines in the jungles of ‘Nam,” Polk said.

“And we can’t forget the murder-suicide in–”

“Don’t say it. That part still pisses me off. First they show them both blown away and then the movies shifts right into the Fleet and into a combat zone like nothing ever happened. The Marine that was murdered had a wedding ring on his finger. What did his wife do after he was killed? Did he have kids? Did he and the private’s family have a proper burial? Did they not get benefits because he killed someone and himself?”

“You’re thinking way too deeply into that movie. It was either a recruiting tactic or a deterrent for possible military men and women. The whole first half was better than the second is debatable but I think it ranks up there with the top Marine movies,” Polk said.

“Have you seen the silent era ones?” Casey asked.

“Yes. I’m particularly fond of the one with the “Man of a Thousand Faces,” Polk said.

“Indeed. That’s not my liking, no dialogue and grainy black and white pictures, but the lead became the first film actor to become an honorary Marine.”

Polk stopped brushing. “No bull?”

“No bull.”

“Wow.”

“And it’s ironic.”

“What’s that?”

“The title of the film means to the Brits that someone is dismissed by the Navy because they wouldn’t believe what the person says so they direct them to Devil Dogs,” Casey said. “In America, though, it’s more sincere. It signifies that Marines will handle any problem that is thrown at us.”

“They save everything for the other services. Most of the Marine movies have something missing. Army and Navy... how many Air Force movies are there?”

“There’s that one with the chick who flies without a jet.”

“That really doesn’t count nor do the people in that Universe that portray Air Force personnel count. I’m talking about realistic pictures, not superheroes.”

“I got you, I got you.” Casey points his brush at Polk. “When I get out of this hellhole, I’m going to start my own production company.”

“Is that right?”

“Yes.”

“You know who you sound like?”

“Who’s that?”

“‘Shrimp kabobs, shrimp, creole, shrimp gumbo.’ And we both know what happened to him.”

“Are you implying that I might be boxed up and sent home?” Casey asked, some agitation tinged his voice.

“I’m just saying that there’s no guarantee out here and that it’s nice to dream and all but just be realistic.”

Casey became enraged in his mind, but did not exhibit this irritation. Instead, he lowered his voice and looked at Polk straight in the eye.

“I’m going to get out of here alive. I’m going to be a producer and put up films about the ugliness and hell that is associated with war. I don’t want to be a pacifist, no. I want to impart that a country such as the United States ought to be as selfish and prepared to scorch the earth of our enemies without remorse. Until there is peace, then let’s let their cities burn to ashes like Sherman did.”

“Wasn’t he Army?” Polk asked.

“Yes, but he’s like Patton, too. I mean they’re no Chesty but those generals knew that war is hard, and disgusting, and nothing to glorify,” Casey said. His agitation had dissipated.

The two Marines finished their rifle cleaning activity. Polk and Casey secured their weapons and ventured to the recreation room to talk to their families via the bevy of computer screens housed on the base.