MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif. -- As a child turns the pages of a book, it opens a different world to them, and one Marine helps children see the world of the Marine Corps in a way they can understand.
Capt. Brandon Barnett, a judge advocate for the commandant’s office in Washington, D.C., decided to write a children’s book called “A Salute To Our Heroes: The U.S. Marines.”
The book is a collection of rhymes about Marine Corps training and jobs.
“I got the idea when my wife was pregnant with our first son,” said Barnett. “We read things like Dr. Seuss to him all the time. There was nothing about the Marine Corps out there for little kids, though.”
Barnett wrote part of the book while thinking of his family and son during his deployment to Iraq, he explained.
“It’s a children’s book about the Marine Corps,” said Barnett. “In the book, Chesty, the bulldog, tells different stories about Marines.”
Chesty begins by introducing children to Marine Corps basic training where “drill instructors are loud.” If the Marines pass, “they become one of ‘The few, The proud.’” Chesty continues by showing how Marines train, even in bad weather, by running, performing crunches and pull-ups and firing on the rifle range.
Chesty also explains how Marines travel to different parts of the world, what uniforms they wear and what vehicles and equipment they use. In addition, the bulldog speaks about the brotherhood of Marines and what “Semper Fidelis” means.
The bulldog continues with explaining the importance of Marine homecomings, the Silent Drill Platoon and the “Marine One” aircraft, which the president uses to travel.
Barnett hoped to write a book that military family members could enjoy with their young children, he explained.
“I just hoped it would get out there,” said Barnett. “It’s something for kids whose moms and dads are in the military to read about.”
Barnett got 5,000 copies of the book published in 2010. They are available in several locations, including the Flying Letherneck Museum here and the National Museum of the Marine Corps.
Barnett donates part of the proceeds to the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund.
“I started reading more and more about what these Marines (wounded veterans) go through like PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder),” said Barnett. “I just think that the Semper Fi Fund does a great thing for them.”
Although not everyone can invent things or write a book, Barnett accomplished a major project to give back to the families of service members and to help those who have made sacrifices while serve their country.
For more information on the book, visit Barnett’s Web site at MarineKidsBook.blogspot.com.
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