The EarthCore Audiobook / Podcast was awesome!

Note: I moved most of this post over to my new blog, and you can find the migrated post here. What is listed below is part of a conversation with Scott that I didn't include when I migrated the post. I didn't want the comments hanging out there, and you wondering why all that was said. Anyway, come on over to my new blog.

Hey Scott, what a great story! Like I said, I can't wait for the Sequel. Thanks!

I do have one question though, everyone who has a military background served in the Marine Corps. Is there some personal tie-in there? I'm a Jarhead, so I was curious.

I caught that you kept referring to them as soldiers, even though it should have been Marines. I figured it was because they were all in civilian employment now. Next time though, since they have Marine backgrounds, you can also refer to them as Leathernecks, Jarheads or Devil Dogs. They can run around shouting Ooh-Rah!, and referring to things by their naval terms, like bulkhead, deck and scuttlebut.

Just a suggestion.

Happy Birthday Marines!

Today I checked my email a little late, but sure enough, there they were. Birthday greetings from my Brothers. Today is November 10th, and the Marine Corps is 231 Years old. I have been out of the Marine Corps for almost 9 years now, but I still think about the Corps every day.

Year after year, when I see the birthday greetings from my friends, I am still glad to know that I am not the only former Marine who still remembers the Marine Corps Birthday, it seems like every year I meet another former Marine who doesn't celebrate Nov 10th. I don't know about the rest of you Jarheads out there, but every year I get all the Marines I know locally, and hoist a few in honor of the Corps. Usually we only number 2 or 3, but all of you that I served with, and all of my other brothers and sisters out there who I have not met are there with me, if only in thought.

So Happy Birthday to all of you Hard Chargers!

Semper Fi!

And remember, if you want to help out some terrific Marine Corps related charities, and get a great book about steak, read this post about "Command of the Grill" , or visit the Command of the Grill web site .

Weber's Command of the Grill - A Salute to Steak

So as you probably know, my Birthday is coming up, I'll be 231. OK, I've been around for awhile, but not quite that long. What I'm talking about is the birthday of the United States Marine Corps. You see, Marines care about the day their beloved Corps was founded, November 10th, 1775, and celebrate it every year, and even though I haven't been on active duty for quite awhile, I'm still a Marine, and I still celebrate the Marine Corps birthday.

As a matter of fact, I believe that I am legally obligated to have at least a few beers on that day with any Jarhead I can find, and trust me, there are at least a few everywhere. They may not be wearing a sharply pressed uniform , or sporting a motivated high and tight, but they are there, just yell out "Semper Fi!" and I bet you'll at least get an "Ooh-Rah! " back.

What brings this up, is I have been long awaiting the release of Weber's Command of the Grill - A Salute to Steak , so long in fact, that I forgot all about it until I was on Weber's web site. This book is the result of grilling competitions held for Marines, go ahead, find out more, I dare you.

Now, I love to grill, I love steak, and I love the Corps. What could be better than a book that combines all of those. I'll tell you what could be better, every single penny of this $10 book goes to supporting Marines wounded in action, or the families and children of Marines who were killed in action. The Charities supported are:

- The Injured Marines Semper Fi Fund - Provides financial assistance to injured Marines, and other service members injured while assigned to Marine Units.

- The Wounded Warrior Project - Provides programs and assistance to severely wounded service members.

- The Fisher House - Provides a home away from home for the families of patients receiving medical treatment at Military and VA medical centers.

- The Marine Corps - Law Enforcement Foundation - Assists the Children of Marines and Law Enforcement who were killed while serving their country.

If you know a Marine, buy this book for them, if you know someone who likes to grill, buy this book for them. Hell, buy one for yourself. Give something for those who sacrificed everything. Just don't buy one for me, I bought 2 of them today.

Semper Fi!

10/23/2006 Update: Big thanks to the Grill Junkie for helping to promote Command of the Grill. If you like to grill, make sure you put Grill Junkie on your "to check often" list, or subscribe via RSS.