[Scott S]

One old Marine veteran asked the Commandant to return him to active duty and send him to Iraq. the Commandant refused. So he wrote the Secretary of the Navy with the same request. Secnav replied that because Iraq was a young Marine's war, there was no place for him. So he wrote his congressman a long, heart wrenching letter. Back came the reply, almost word for word the same as the SecNav response.

He was livid and, bought a rowboat, and started rowing to get to Iraq, singing the Marine Hymn..."From the Halls of Montezuma to the shores of Tripoli " ........... and off he rowed for Iraq.

Saint Peter had been watching and had grown concerned by his commitment to his objective. Saint Peter finally turned to God for advice.

God advised,be merciful and take his brain, and he will simply abandon the idea about getting to Iraq.

St. Peter observed little if any change in behavior. He continued to row his boat and sing : "From the Halls of Montezuma to the shores of Tripoli , we will ".......

St. Peter turned again to his God and asked, "Now what?"

God said, " take his heart, that should end it."

St. Peter was again amazed that little if any change could be observed as he continued to row his boat and sing: " We will fight our country's battles...." at-the-top-of-his-voice.

St. Peter asked God for assistance. God responded by suggesting remove the Marine's testicles, since it's a well known fact that Marines can't function without their testicles. Otherwise, what would be the reason for Marines having the world wide reputation of having the balls to do the impossible?

St. Peter then observed the Marine, this time with his balls, brains and heart removed, rowing in a never ending circle..... singing:

"Off we go, into the wild blue yonder..........