[theoddz]

Originally Posted by Nadeest

Yes, I am a 'Hollywood Marine', ya swamp fox. :P I do know the feeling. I think that a lot of the people that I served with would be rather astonished if they could see me now. lol

Nadeest, I'm so sorry to say that I haven't seen this until now. I hang my head in shame!!! LOL

You know, like you, I lost touch with so many good people I served with....many who so touched my life that I am even alive now!!! For a long, long time, I grieved for my lost friendships because I missed those Marines so much.

I'm even a Life Member of the Women Marines Association. Ya, but can you imagine the likes of ME, now, showing up at a WMA convention??? The WMA has a convention every year, and it sure looks like a wonderful time. It's usually at a different location/city each year. I think that Denver, CO, has been one of the recent spots for it, and that's within driving distance from Las Vegas, here. So many proud Women Marines of all generations, gathered together in one spirit of service, tradition and honor. As you well know, the camaraderie and loyalty to the Corps and each other spans the generations. We are one brother/sisterhood. I would so, SO love to attend the annual WMA convention, or join my local chapter of the Marine Corps League, because Las Vegas has a very proud and active local chapter of that, too. I just don't know how I'd do that. You know how old Marines are.....usually very, very conservative. I'm sure that Marines like us would go over like a fart in church with them. It's so sad, isn't it?? The Marine Corps is still so much a part of me, and I'd like to embrace it as a proud Marine Veteran, but I feel that I'm locked out of that. It really makes me so sad. Do you ever feel that way about it?? I guess it's one of those "losses" they say is so common when we transition.

Well, fast forward to recent years. The good news is that, after 30+ years, Facebook has allowed me to find and reconnect with some of the good women I served with. I have had the enormous good fortune to have reconnected with one dear friend who, 30+ years ago, quite literally saved my life from alcoholism. Her friendship and loyalty redirected my life away from the bottle, literally saving my young life from so much grief and trouble. I still can recollect her words to me from all those years ago. Well, when we made contact again, after all that time, it didn't matter one speck to her that I'm now a fully transitioned man. In fact, during the years she and I had lost touch, she actually married a transman and they had a son together, via artificial insemination. Her son looks just like her, and he's such a fine, smart, decent man now.....a real testament to what a wonderful person my friend is!! She and the transguy divorced, but A recently married a really nice and wonderful woman, whom I really like and respect. A couldn't have found a better fit and partner than D. They are both blessed.

Anyway, it's like the years we were lost to each other just melted away, and we're just as close now as we were then. I can pick up the phone and call her, share jokes and pictures with her on FB, tell her anything and laugh like a pair of hyenas with her about things that happened yesterday or 30 years ago!!! G-d bless my dear friend, A!!! G-d bless that marvelous bond we share. Thank G-d she saved and touched my life so profoundly. Life is so much fuller with good friends in it. I'm so lucky to have a friend and sister in A.

I've also reconnected with several other good friends on FB. They all seem to understand and accept me for who I am now, because we were such good friends before, and as one recently told me....."You're still the same person inside....You're still my friend.".

It might be different for (bio)male Marines, where acceptance of transfolk is concerned. It's such a macho group, by and large. Have you been able to reconnect or maintain any friendships from your time in the Corps through your transition?? As for me, well, I'm very proud to have you for my sister, and I couldn't be prouder that you and I share this precious bond. I'm always here for you and I will always have your back. Semper Fi, my friend!!!

I didn't want to hijack this thread, or its purpose. Being a trans Veteran is, to me, a very "Veteran" issue. There are so many Veterans who have undergone a gender transition, and it's good to know that a few of us are here and that we understand each other.

Have a great weekend!!!

Semper Fi,
~Theo~