I am a U.S. Marine Corps Disabled Veteran and I am not here to
complain about the war or anything like that. But I do have something
bothering me. First you have to understand that Veterans can in a way
be compared to an avid sports fan. You see people all the time
wearing shirts, hats or jackets with a logo of their favorite sports
team. With Veterans it is very common to see them proudly wear a
service emblem (logo) on a hat or jacket even though he or she has
been out of the military for 30 + years. For us wearing our service
emblem is because we are proud to have served our country and in
remembrance of our many brothers and sisters that gave life and limb
for what they believed in.

I have played many different guitars over the years. The first
guitar I learned to play. Was a slightly used Yamaha 6 string that
actually had served time in Viet Nam, I don't remember the Marines
name but he gave it to me with the understanding that I do the same.
I am sure it comforted many Marines on those lonely nights. For that
matter I am quite sure that many guitars served time in the military
over the years.

With that in mind let me explain my dilemma. Like many veterans I
proudly display a Marine Corps emblem on my truck, motorcycle,
numerous jackets and other things. I was never a prisoner of war but
over the years I have proudly displayed the POW/MIA logo in
remembrance of those that have not yet made it home. If I could I
would display my pride when I am playing my guitar.

This is not totally impossible for some, because The C.F. Martin
Guitar Company makes a POW/MIA and a Veteran guitar. I must admit
these instruments are wonderfully designed and display the dedication
and loss of many veterans. I also must say I think that Martin took
the first and possibly the only step towards recognizing the U.S.
Military Veterans and for that I am grateful. Please understand I
have no doubt that Martin has designed a couple of pieces of art
that though priced high for many of us will probably be valued as a
collectors piece many years down the road.

I know it costs money to design and build a guitar and then they
have to be able to sell them so of course they need to know there are
enough potential customers to buy the product. I don't want a piece
of junk but I can't afford the special guitars presently available.
I just think it would be great to have a guitar built to recognize
all the services and the POW/MIA. .But it needs to be affordable. It
would be great if it could have one of the more popular name brands
on it. I have a beautiful well built 12 string acoustic electric
OSCAR SHMIDT by Washburn that only cost a couple of hundred dollars
so I am sure that an affordable, good quality 6 string is possible.

I f you like this idea contact your favorite guitar manufacturer and
let them know. Oh yeah don't forget the guitar strap manufacturers
they could mass produce something I'm sure.

I did not write this to bad mouth any of the manufacturers or anyone
else in the music industry. For that matter on behalf of all the
service men and women that have been comforted by someone playing
tune on an old beat up guitar I say thanks to the many wonderful
folks that built them.


"SEMPER FIDELIS"
Rickey "Lone Wolf" Turner
USMC