This is my Grandfather’s Marines “Dress Outfit Alpha Blouse". He was in the Marines during the Vietnam War, serving on the front lines for months throughout its duration. Though when fighting, he would not wear this jacket, as this would only be worn on more formal occasions. The symbol on the upper arm of both sleeves symbolizes his rank of Master Gunnery Sergeant, one of the highest non administrative ranks in terms of command and responsibility in a unit. This connects to my family because many of my older relatives in the past 100 years have fought in our nation's military in wars such as WWI, WW2, Korean, Vietnam, and Desert Storm Wars. A couple of my relatives went to our nation’s military academies such as the Naval and Air Force Academies, as well as West Point, which is where I hope to go to college myself. This jacket is a symbol of not only our family’s service in our nation’s military, but also our strong love for our country, and our willingness to stand up and fight for what it believes in by giving their lives to keep those values alive today. Because of them, American people are able to chase their dreams without an authoritative government to infringe on their God given rights to a life of equality and freedom, and because of that, I could not be more proud of my family and what they have done for our great country. 

– SH

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