Jack of Harts

Ronald Lee Ermey has been an institution in my life. He was discharged from the Marines before I was born, but from the moment I was conscious, he’s always been there for me to see or hear. He’s appeared in TV shows and movies that I love to this day, and his voice acting credits are legion. It’s impossible to overestimate the effect he’s had on my generation. We grew up hearing his voice in everything from Toy Story, to Kim Possible to Family Guy. His voice and tributes to him are in the video games we play. He’s a spokesman for everything from Glock to Tupperware, and we’ve seen him selling Coors Light and GEICO. We can see him in every form of media we have.

He is THE Marine Drill Instructor of my generation. He will be missed.

I can think of no more fitting end then to let The Gunny sign off with one of his more famous lines from a movie that is almost as famous as he is.

“Marines die, that’s what we’re here for. But the Marine Corps lives forever. And that means YOU live forever.” – GySgt. R. Lee Ermey