Enchanted Land

This intense display of a U.S. Marine and German soldier engage in a deadly game of hand-to-hand combat, during the battle of Belleau Wood, is located in the World War I section of the National Museum of the Marine Corps.

June 1st marks the anniversary of the beginning of this historic battle.

U.S. Navy SEAL, Chris Kyle is renowned as the deadliest sniper in United States military history. During his 4 tours in Iraq, he accumulated over 150 confirmed kills, was shot twice, survived six individual IED attacks and was awarded multiple medals, including the Bronze and Silver Star.

His skills as a sniper were so deadly, that during his deployment to Ramadi, the insurgents named him "The Devil of Ramadi" and put a $20k bounty on his head that was later increased to $80k. He also became known as "The Legend" among the the U.S. forces in the area, including the Marines he had the task of protecting during their house-to-house searches.

In 2008, outside Sadr City, Kyle killed an insurgent who was targeting an oncoming military convoy. The shot was take from about 2,100 yards (1,920 meters) away. It was the world’s eighth-longest confirmed kill shot by a sniper. Later, Kyle called it a “really, really lucky shot.”

Sgt. Matt Jaffe, from the 24th MEU, holds an Afghan infant during the evacuation from the airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, in August 2021. This photo was highly publicized on news outlets and social media around the world.

To me, this image embodies everything it means to be a United Stares Marine. A rugged, highly-trained warrior who is ready at a moments notice to do great violence upon our nation's enemies and protect our way of life. Just seconds later, he becomes a gentle, loving and compassionate individual who is ready to care for and protect those who are too weak or unable to protect themselves.

Most people in this world are unable to grasp how Marines are able love and care for others with the same hands they are trained to do violence and kill with. This is why they will never become a Marine and those of us who have earned the title will always be proud of it. Semper Fi to all my fellow Marine brothers and sisters out there who continue to carry on our proud history and traditions.

Pictured from left to right: Cpl. Hunter Lopez, HM3 Max Soviak and Cpl. Daegan Page, assigned to 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment while serving in Kabul, Afghanistan.

All three men lost their lives during the suicide bombing at the Kabul airport, on August 26, 2021.

Fair winds and following seas to these brave warriors and to their fellow service members who gave their lives to help protect and save others. Your sacrifice was not in vain and you will never be forgotten. Semper Fi. 🦅🌎⚓️

Sgt. Nicole Gee, a maintenance technician with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, cradles an Afghan infant during the evacuation at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan on August 24, 2021.

The 23 year-old wrote "I love me job" on her Instagram caption, as her unit was tasked with processing thousands of Afghan and American evacuees through the airport gates.

Just two days later, on August 26, 2021, Sgt. Gee and 12 of her fellow service members were killed in a suicide bombing at the airport.