Building R2-D2, with LEGOs, in Tysons, Virginia
While democracy was dying to thunderous applause in Ohio this weekend, my young-at-heart-ling and I ventured to Tysons Corner in Virginia, where a…
Whispers between the Lines
This post contains affiliate links. For more information, click here. The power of Jeannette Walls’ The Glass Castle whispers from what she doesn’t…
Revolutionary City at Colonial Williamsburg
Colonial Williamsburg‘s most significant historical program is “Revolutionary City“, a series of skits re-enacting the major events surrounding the American colonies’ break…
Colonial Williamsburg
The good old days. Now that I’ve finished with the occasional video series on boot camp, I can devote more of my…
Second Annual Bloggers’ Day in Richmond
Lt. Governor Bill Bolling’s Second Annual Bloggers’ Day at the Capitol in Richmond, Virginia, was as enjoyable as the first. Mr. Bolling…
Emblem Ceremony on Parris Island
With a CD of Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the USA” playing, drill instructors award each recruit they’ve trained the Marine emblem of…
The Crucible on Parris Island — Part 3
In the Crucible, Marine recruits live out their training. With basic how-tos ingrained, they can concentrate on making crucial decisions—confident that they…
The Crucible on Parris Island — Part 2
In the Crucible, the reasons for the close-order drills, for the rigid and uniform standards for seemingly small things like making beds,…
The Crucible on Parris Island — Part 1
The recruits in this video, and the two to follow, have nearly reached the end of USMC boot camp’s Phase Three, which…
Combat Water Survival Training on Parris Island
Phase Two of boot camp features combat water survival. Many recruits arrive on Parris Island unable to swim; some actually fear the…
Martial-Arts Training on Parris Island
A drill instructor, in the blue sweatshirt, supervises mouth-guarded Marine recruits practicing martial arts on Parris Island. Leslie CarboneAfter my misspent youth…
Close-Order Drill on Parris Island
“If you all scream together, you will stay together!” a drill instructor yells to Marine recruits. “Yes, Sir!” By popular demand, I’m…