Veterans Day 2018: Why America and Firearms Go Hand-in-Hand

By markoliva

There’s a special bond Marines have with their rifles. If you know a Marine, just ask. I was imbued with that bond between my rifle and myself more than a quarter of a century ago as a jittery and shaved-bald recruit at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C. It was there I memorized The Rifleman’s Creed. I also learned to shoot, maintain and fall in love with the tool of our trade in the military.

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A One-of-a-Kind AR-15 Build for a Fallen Veteran, Friend

This is my rifle. There are many like it, but this one is mine.

My first issued rifle was an M16-A2. It was the distinctive rifle with iron sights and carrying handle, but you didn’t want to be caught dead carrying it that way by a drill instructor. I learned that rifle inside and out. I swung that 7.89-pound rifle in unison with the rest of the platoon while we marched. And I struck targets at 500 yards.

It’s a deep-seated affection that’s never faded. If anything, it’s grown. My wife will attest to a full gun safe to that fact. I was privileged to serve a career in uniform, …Read the Rest

Source:: Tactical Life