During my first deployment in the Marines, my unit, 2nd Battalion 4th Marines, was deployed to Ramadi, Iraq. My unit was facing an enemy that had nothing to lose and were willing to die for their cause. My Battalion SgtMaj. SgtMaj. Ellis gathered the entire battalion before traveling out to the city, and gave his Marines a speech I will never forget.
"We left Camp Pendleton, Ca 3 months ago, and ended up here. Does anyone know why Marines are kept on ship for so long? Sure it's nice to stop at Ports all over the world, but Marines don't want to stop at Ports, we want to watch each others backs in combat, like we are trained to do. Back to what I was saying, Marines are kept on ship and away from the combat zone so that when we do arrive to the fight we are angry and ready to rumble. We are angry that our brothers and sisters in arms have been hurt or are taken from us without us to have a say. Marines are born to fight, We are born to fight. Once we get to the fight, we take the fight to the enemy! We don't wait to get attacked, we attack! We train for war everyday we are in the Corp., and when we get to use that training we are perfect in our craft. That is why the United States is free and The United States Marine Corp. exists! So as we unleash hell upon the cities we go to, keep in mind who you are fighting for, your fellow Marines, your family, and the millions of people who make up our great nation! Ooorah!"
Near the end of my first deployment, SgtMaj. Ellis was killed by a suicide bomber in Iraq, weeks before we were scheduled to return home. RIP.
I speak of this memory because the idea applies to this team Saturday night. The enemy we are encountering is a team that wants another Championship. We want our first. It is easy to make excuses for why we will lose: no JT Barrett, no Dontre Wilson, no Noah Spence, ect. At Ohio State, we do not make excuses, we make Champions. Urban Meyer and our coaching staff is my SgtMaj., and there speech is much the same. The game of football is nothing but a war zone on a football field. This team has been stopping at Ports every Saturday since September, on their way to the war zone. Lucas Oil Field is that battle field. This team is angry because they have every right to be. All year long we have been downplayed, disrespected, and tossed to the side. This game, we will unleash Hell upon the Badgers. Our defense has had instances of dominance and laziness, but all of that comes to an end starting this Saturday. Our players and this coaching staff understand what is at stake, and it is much more than a Playoff bid, it's pride! Last year we came up short, this year we had a hiccup, but we have come back roaring. Saturday night will be our Finale.
The stage is set and we are underdogs. I don't mind, considering we play at our best when we are expected to lose. I am nervous about this game, but that won't end until the ball is kicked. As long as this team believes in itself and relies on their instincts, rather than over thinking where they should be, we will be Big Ten Champions. It does not matter who our quarterback is, Urban Meyer has built this team to spread the load around. We simply need to play smart football and play at our level.
Have faith Buckeye Nation, even if no one else does!
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