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Veteran Marine Works to Preserve History She Helped Create

The saying goes, "Once a Marine, always a Marine". For Christina Johnson, project manager for the National Museum of the Marine Corps, every day reminds her of the faithful service that both she and others have dedicated to the Corps. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Johnson, a former sergeant, stood in the museum overlook while observing the traditional cake cutting ceremony for the Marine Corps Birthday. As the Marines march in with the cake and pass the piece of cake from the oldest Marine to the youngest, Johnson notices a woman next to her crying.

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Lance Cpl. Tania R. Bryant, an administration specialist at 6th Marine Corps District, displays her poetry book in the library at 6th MCD, Parris Island, South Carolina, Feb. 25, 2022. Bryant, despite the challenges faced, took her passion of writing and gave it a proper book cover, publishing her first poetry book titled "Poetic Lifelines". (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Kevin Lopez Herrera) - Lance Cpl. Tania R. Bryant, an administration specialist at 6th Marine Corps District, displays her poetry book in the library at 6th MCD, Parris Island, South Carolina, Feb. 25, 2022. Bryant, despite the challenges faced, took her passion of writing and gave it a proper book cover, publishing her first poetry book titled "Poetic Lifelines". (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Kevin Lopez Herrera)

Pain primes passion for poetry

Stress, job loss, illness, change, hardships, loss of a loved one; these are just a few of life’s many inevitable events. During these situations, healthy coping mechanisms can be used as a way for us to manage these occurrences. Some people choose to exercise, vent their frustrations with someone they trust, or spend time with family and friends. There are a myriad of coping mechanisms, and for Tania Raquel Bryant, writing became one of them, pouring her emotions all over blank papers with her thoughts in ink.

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Lt. Col. Sally Ann Falco's father, Kenneth Townes, holds a photo of Falco taken while she was at recruit training in 1987 at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina. Falco served as an enlisted Marine for 14 years before her acceptance to the Meritorious Commissioning Program. She commissioned in August 2001 and will soon retire after 34 fruitful years in the Marine Corps. “I’ve just been privileged to be allowed to be a Marine,” Falco said. “I still love it as much as the day I came in, and I would stay in forever, but I want to make room for others to climb the ladder and at the same time, contribute to society in another capacity.” (Courtesy photo by Falco's mother, Loretta "Tootsie" Townes) - Lt. Col. Sally Ann Falco's father, Kenneth Townes, holds a photo of Falco taken while she was at recruit training in 1987 at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina. Falco served as an enlisted Marine for 14 years before her acceptance to the Meritorious Commissioning Program. She commissioned in August 2001 and will soon retire after 34 fruitful years in the Marine Corps. “I’ve just been privileged to be allowed to be a Marine,” Falco said. “I still love it as much as the day I came in, and I would stay in forever, but I want to make room for others to climb the ladder and at the same time, contribute to society in another capacity.” (Courtesy photo by Falco's mother, Loretta "Tootsie" Townes)

Woman Marine of 34 years leaves lasting legacy

In 1987, Lt. Col. Sally Ann Falco was just 17 years old. The Cold War was still hot. President Ronald Reagan had recently delivered his famous speech urging Soviet Leader Mikhail Gorbachev to tear down the Berlin Wall, but the wall would remain standing for two more years.

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