The first "Boot" at Tun Tavern by me

We've all heard the story of the Marines and how they were birthed in a bar. So here's a little more detail.

So Captain Samuel Nicholas was commissioned by the 2nd Continental Congress and charged with spearheading the Marine Corps in 1775 effectively making him the first Commandant. That evening he went to the bar recruiting, he shouted to the crowd that only the bravest would be required to sign up. The only stipulation, you must have your own personal weapon. Upon qualification, after signatures were recorded, Capt Nicholas would buy each new signee a beer. So as the first volunteer approached with his model 1752 which his father attained in a Spanish duel, he planted the butt on the deck and promptly signed his name. Capt Nicholas gave a nod to the bar tender and he was poured a pint. The newest Marine made his way to the exit and sat on the rustic porch of Tun Tavern holding his beer and sipping it in one hand while still not letting go of the rifle with the other hand. That Marine took two sips before out comes the next Marine with a musket and beer in his hands in the same fashion. The first Marine's immediate response…WHATS UP BOOT!

So I thought of this thinking about how over 20 years ago when I was in the school of infantry marching to chow with my platoon. We halted just to the left of the hatch and waiting to the right of the hatch was another platoon which happened to be at SOI only one week longer. Full of piss and vinegar, two platoons stared at each other eager to hear any trigger to get the big fight started. When out of the mouth from a squad leader from the tenured platoon…"You Boot!"