There are no ex-Marines

In the "What's Popular Now" sidebar on the NY Times website sits this headline (in front of God and everybody): "Dakota Meyer, Ex-Marine, Is Awarded Medal of Honor." First, THERE ARE NO EX-MARINES. There are only "former" Marines. As in: Once a Marine, always a Marine. The webby person who composed the sidebar headline clearly isn't one. I sent this friendly headline suggestion to the Times: "Marine Sgt. Dakota Meyer Awarded Medal of Honor." We'll see if it takes (not that I'm holding my breath). Second, it's a great piece and I hope it's widely read. Sgt. Meyer, winner of the Medal of Honor for valor in Afghanistan, absolutely deserves the recognition.

UPDATE: The Gray Lady listened. The Times changed the headline to: "Top Medal for Marine Who Saved Many Lives." Good for them. Hoo-ah!